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Business to Business E-Commerce Logistics: 8 Statistics to Think About
Scott Hothem • February 26, 2015
The barrage of home runs that were hit during the late 90’s was a result of batters having extra power. The era of PEDs changed the way fans think about baseball and changed the way the game is played. In the NFL, new rules to increase safety for players have also changed the way this sport is played. With more protective rules for quarterbacks, scores have risen and defenses have been forced to adapt in order to avoid penalties. These are two examples where shifts in control and power have altered the state of competition. The same is very true in the world of business-to-business e-commerce. Consumers have never had more power than they do right now, and there are no signs of that slowing down. These 8 facts support the changing landscape of e-commerce retail and how you can play by these new rules.
- “Free Shipping” will invoke 93% of buyers to take action on a product. (, Slide 6)
- 33% of e-commerce sales come from mobile devices. This is a 23% increase from the year before. In the past 2 years, mobile sales have grown 175%. ()
- Within the next 3 years 48% of B2B customers will place 50% or more of their orders online. ()
- 48% of companies that haven’t adapted to e-commerce cite a lack of resources as the top reason why. ()
- 38% of shoppers say they will not return to a retailer’s site if it is not optimized for mobile. (, Slide 14)
- The average conversion rate for e-commerce websites is 7.3% vs. only a 3% conversion rate in retail stores. ()
- Delivery speed is considered the 4th most important factor. 83% of shoppers will wait 2 or more days for free shipping. (, Slide 6)
- Product discovery via social media and ad targeting has increased 202%. ()
These statistics all have one overarching theme, technology. Leveraging technology to provide the information that the market demands and having the logistical resources to meet its expectations is crucial. With a focus on technology and a customized supply chain solution, Barrett Distribution Centers has the expertise and experience to answer the e-commerce challenge.
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Here's a helpful timeline/guide that is applicable for clients with a "classical" peak season in Q4: 馃幆 Use Q1 to add 3PLs to your RFP discovery list/search. This master list should not be more than 7-10 providers. 馃幆 You should have your preferred 3PL partner list dwindled down to three no later than end of Q1. 馃幆 Use the beginning of Q2 for site visits (3 max)—engage with operations and folks on the floor. At this stage, "pricing gaps" should be somewhat narrow between 2-3 companies. Focus on who will "get the job done" and who you envision your company working with for the next 2-3+ years! This is super important. 馃幆 Aim to award a verbal "yes" halfway through Q2, no later than end of May. You'll want to allow another 30-45 days to work through legal discussions. 馃幆 Ideally, you should sign an MSA with your chosen 3PL no later than the end of June. This allows inventory transfers over the summer and ensures the new operation has ample "time" to touch the product, test systems, etc. 馃幆 Go-Live by Oct 1—You really don't want to "go live" in November, two weeks before the major holidays/peak, etc. Launching by Oct 1 allows for at least a 30-day period before the ultra-craziness begins! The Right 3PL Can Make All the Difference—Let’s Chat If you're just about to start your RFP or need help with any of the above, contact us - Barrett would love to be your next 3PL partner to run your supply chain!
Franklin, Mass., Jan. 23, 2025 — Barrett Distribution Centers , a leader in third-party logistics (3PL) leader for over 82 years, is proud to announce its partnership with MISSION , a performance lifestyle brand. “Following a thorough search and review process, we selected Barrett based on their ability to provide a scalable, dependable and competitive Omni-Channel Warehouse and Managed Transportation Services solution,” said Lisa Lehan , COO of MISSION. “Their strategic location offers the foundation necessary to support our forecasted growth through D2C and B2B channels, making them the ideal partner for our next growth phase.” MISSION is dedicated to prioritizing comfort by providing a high level of cool in every environment, whether indoors or outdoors. As a performance lifestyle brand, MISSION focuses on innovative design to ensure that extreme heat and discomfort do not interfere with work, play, or daily experiences. The brand integrates heat health™, comfort, and performance into its offerings to facilitate peak performance during a variety of physical activities. MISSION’s journey is defined by action and a strong commitment to comfort and success. The brand prioritizes innovative cooling products that can be utilized across various activities. MISSION strives to achieve health and wellness goals through continual innovation, creating solutions that empower individuals to enhance their performance without allowing heat to hinder their efforts. “It’s a pleasure to reconnect with a fun, innovative and growing brand like MISSION,” said Mark Healy , VP of Customer 好色先生 at Barrett. “I’m proud to call Lisa Lehan, MISSION’s COO, a friend, and the entire Barrett team is excited and honored to support the next phase of MISSION’s growth.” Barrett is set to launch the MISSION operation from the Memphis region , home to its robust network of high-growth apparel brands and robotics-driven pick solutions. About MISSION Founded in 2009 by a group of world-class athletes and heat safety experts, MISSION is the leader in head-to-toe cooling and heat-relief product innovations that enhance performance and safety for anyone who works, plays, or lives in the heat. MISSION's goals extend far beyond providing comfort; they aim to revolutionize health, wellness, productivity, and performance in the face of heat challenges. MISSION is distributed nationwide in over 25,000 retail stores and online, leading the market with patented and proprietary technologies. MISSION is the founding partner of the National Heat Safety Coalition, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving safety and performance in high-temperature environments for workers in the United States. Along with scientists, researchers, and industry leaders, the Coalition collaborates with public and private partners to set guidelines and raise awareness about heat safety standards. For more information, visit mission.com and follow us on Instagram @mission. About Barrett Distribution Centers Since 1941, Barrett has provided customized third-party logistics (3PL), direct-to-consumer (DTC) eCommerce fulfillment, omnichannel distribution, managed transportation solutions, and retail compliance for clients across all industries, with a focus on apparel & footwear, health & beauty, consumer packaged goods (CPG) and education. Barrett continues to be a leading 3rd party logistics provider in North America, known for superior execution, customer engagement, and direct access to senior leadership decision-makers. As a member of Inc.'s fastest-growing companies list 15 times, Barrett is big enough to do the job and still small enough to care about your business deeply. eCommerce brands interested in a new 3PL partnership may contact Barrett directly here . Official Release Here
Industry Challenge In today’s logistics landscape, companies face hurdles such as fluctuating customer demand, rising costs due to inflation, and supply chain disruptions. To stay competitive, logistics providers must prioritize cost reduction and service quality. This entails adopting modern tools to offer customers greater visibility into their operations and associated costs. By leveraging analytics and enhancing transparency, companies can improve efficiency, streamline processes, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. Barrett Specific Challenges Barrett, committed to customer satisfaction and operational excellence, encountered significant challenges: Customer Satisfaction : Customers demanded frequent and accurate visibility into supply chain operations, affecting our Net Promoter Score (NPS) and trust. Poor Visibility : Inadequate visibility across the supply chain caused delays and eroded customer trust, hindering proactive decision-making. Metric Visibility and Transparency : Limited visibility and manual metric calculations hindered meaningful insights and continuous improvement. Customer Communication/Working Relationship : Numerous inquiries strained resources, necessitating streamlined touchpoints and proactive communication. Feedback from clients underscored the urgency to revamp reporting and analytics for improved transparency and alignment with customer expectations. Solution: Modernizing Data Stack and Analytics Strategy To address these challenges, Barrett revamped its data stack and analytics strategy: Snowflake Implementation : Consolidating data into one platform improved visibility and decision-making speed across the supply chain. Tableau Cloud Partnership : Leveraging Tableau's embedded analytics product and APIs enabled seamless integration of dashboards into the customer-facing portal, providing real-time insights. Driving Value for Our Business and Our Customers Transparent Cost Breakdown : By providing customers with transparent cost breakdowns, Barrett enabled informed pricing decisions tailored to different channels and partners. Streamlined Communication: Improved visibility and collaboration streamlined business planning and cost forecasting, enhancing decision-making and alignment. Elevated Customer Experience: Self-service capabilities and responsive inquiries improved NPS scores, enriching overall customer experience. Revenue Growth : Enhanced offerings led to a 13% increase in close rate, equating to an estimated $20M to $30M in new business annually. Prevention of Missed Opportunities: Prior deficiencies in reporting tools and visibility potentially cost $75M annually. Feedback from prospects highlighted areas of improvement, emphasizing the importance of customer-focused metrics. By addressing these challenges and leveraging modern technologies, Barrett not only enhanced its own operations but also empowered its customers to thrive in a dynamic logistics landscape. About Barrett Distribution Centers At Barrett, we solve challenges and build solutions that drive transparency, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. If you'd like to streamline your supply chain or elevate your customer experience, c ontact us today for a complimentary supply chain consultation with a seasoned 3PL expert.
