Get in touch
Barrett Distribution Centers
15 Freedom Way
Franklin, MA 02038
508-553-8800
Opportunities and Challenges in Footwear Fulfillment
Bryan Corbett • September 22, 2014
Logistics operations, like many other things, are constantly evolving. This is especially true for the footwear industry. As technology creates new opportunities for consumers and new efficiencies for companies, it can also introduce new challenges.
Take the National Football League for example. Athletes are bigger, faster and stronger than ever and the sport has never been more popular. Star players are earning astronomical salaries and outlets are covering teams around the clock. However, strategies that worked 20, 10 or even five years ago may not be effective today. Changes in rules, player discipline and coaching have made this quite a different game. The footwear fulfillment game has also changed, creating these opportunities and challenges:
Opportunities
- E-Commerce: E-Commerce has become a premier platform for shoes. Its strength over traditional brick and mortar is that it can offer selection, convenience and value. These three elements are prime factors for the footwear industry. Where the restraints of a physical store limit the amount of styles and sizes available at any given time, e-commerce can virtually make any and every shoe available, often at a better price, without the hassle of shopping in person. In 2012, online shoe sales increased to over $7.8 billion, according to Daily Deal Media. As more companies embrace this technology, the opportunity for more revenue is there.
- Omni-Channel Fulfillment: With more and more options for customers as it pertains to not only shoes, but also ordering and delivery preferences, omni-channel capabilities are becoming more important. The ability to offer “ship-to-store” or fulfill product orders from store inventory can meet new consumer demands and present a better overall experience.
Challenges
- Limited Fulfillment Capabilities: Just as yesterday’s playbook doesn’t work in today’s football game, the technology and processes of heritage systems and operations are quickly becoming ineffective. Upgrades to warehouse management systems, inventory controls and the development, or optimization, of an e-commerce platform are essential.
- Supply Chain Visibility: As the channels to generate revenue increase, so does the complexity of the supply chain. Tracking inventory and creating efficiencies can be key differentiators in the footwear sector. The more streamlined your supply chain, the greater impact it can have on your bottom line.
While the landscape of the footwear industry is changing, the supply chain is playing a larger role. Consumers are demanding more options and lower prices.; sound supply chain management can meet both of these criteria. With the proper resources and management, the challenges facing footwear brands can become opportunities to increase efficiency and, in turn, business. A 3PL can provide the necessary resources and skills to meet these demands and produce these results. Barrett Distribution Centers, with a focus on technology and transparency, specializes in footwear fulfillment, warehousing and logistics.锘�
Recent Blog Posts
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.
