An overview of health and wellness ecommerce fulfillment
The health and wellness industry, encompassing sectors like personal care, beauty, nutrition, and fitness, is currently experiencing a boom. Revenue in the Beauty & Personal Care markets in the U.S. will amount to US $93billion in 2023, and the market is expected to grow annually by 2.52% between now and 2028, indicating the rapid growth and potential of this sector.
Ecommerce fulfillment (or e-fulfillment) plays a crucial role in this industry, bridging the gap between manufacturers and consumers. It encompasses the entire process, from receiving orders online to warehousing, packaging, shipping, and delivering the products to the end customers.
One of the biggest shifts in the industry is the surge in direct-to-consumer (D2C) health and wellness brands, reflecting a transformation in consumer shopping habits. More and more consumers are choosing to purchase directly from brands, bypassing traditional retail avenues. This trend is not confined to the US; the popularity of D2C health, beauty, and wellness products is a global phenomenon. The health, beauty, and wellness market is one of the fastest-growing sectors in ecommerce. Health and beauty ecommerce sales are expected to increase by 77% between 2021 and 2026, reaching $358.4 billion by 2026.
The rising consumer interest in health, wellness, and beauty products, particularly in the direct-to-consumer market, has led to substantial changes in the ecommerce landscape. This shift has brought about new challenges and opportunities in the realm of e-fulfillment. This article aims to delve into the intricacies of health and well-being e-fulfillment, shedding light on its growth, challenges, and strategies for success.
Challenges in health and well-being ecommerce fulfillment
E-fulfillment for health and wellness products presents a unique set of challenges. These include handling sensitive products, managing expiration dates, temperature control, custom packaging, complying with regulations, quality controls and ensuring a quick and secure delivery process.
1. Handling sensitive products
Health and wellness products often have specific storage and handling requirements. For example, certain skincare products may need to be stored at a specific temperature to maintain their effectiveness. Similarly, some health supplements might require a humidity-controlled environment to preserve their quality and efficacy.
2. Managing expiration dates
Many health and wellness products have a limited shelf life and must be sold before they expire. Managing the inventory of such products can be a complex task, requiring meticulous tracking and efficient stock rotation strategies.
3. Custom packaging
Custom packaging is vital for health and beauty products, both for product safety and to enhance the brand experience. Packaging may need to include labels with any warnings or precautions, as well as any potential side effects. The information should be clear and easy to read, and in Canada all information must be presented in both English and French. These requirements add to the complexity and cost of the fulfillment process.
4. Navigating regulatory compliance
Health and wellness products are subject to various laws and regulations, including those related to product safety, labeling, and packaging. Ensuring compliance with these regulations is crucial but can also be a complex and time-consuming process. In Canada retailers need to ensure their products and operations are compliant with Health Canada Regulations and adhere to good manufacturing practice (GMP) requirements.
5. Ensuring fast and secure delivery
Today’s consumers expect fast and reliable delivery. This expectation can be a challenge for health and well-being brands, especially when shipping sensitive products that require special handling or temperature-controlled transportation.
Strategies for effective health and wellness ecommerce fulfillment
Overcoming the challenges in health and wellness e-fulfillment requires strategic planning and efficient execution. Here are some strategies that can help streamline the process and ensure customer satisfaction.
1. FIFO method for inventory management
The First In, First Out (FIFO) method can be an effective strategy for managing the inventory of health and beauty products. This method ensures that the oldest products are sold first, thus preventing the sale of expired products.
2. Automated inventory management
Automated inventory management systems can provide real-time updates on inventory levels and alert staff when stock replenishment is required. These systems can greatly enhance the efficiency of health and wellness e-fulfillment.
3. Strategic fulfillment center locations
The location of fulfillment centers can greatly impact delivery speed and efficiency. Having fulfillment centers in strategic locations close to major markets, hubs and borders can ensure quick and efficient delivery.
4. Memorable unboxing experience
Creating a memorable unboxing experience can boost customer satisfaction and build brand loyalty. This can be achieved through custom kitting and packaging with personalized touches.
What to look for in a reliable 3pl partner
Choosing the right 3PL provider is crucial for the success of your health and well-being e-fulfillment strategy. Here are some key factors to consider:
1. Experience in the health and wellness industry
Look for a 3PL provider with a proven track record in the health and wellness industry. They should have a deep understanding of the unique challenges of fulfillment health and wellness product orders and the expertise to navigate them, they should also have the necessary licenses and operations for compliant fulfillment practices.
Metro Supply Chain understands the sensitive nature of your products; from cosmetics and natural health products to consumables and medical devices. Our reliable 3PL fulfillment solutions include careful handling, specialized storage, and compliant distribution operations so you can move your products with confidence. We also have dedicated Health Canada licensed and GMP certified facilities, as well as in-house Quality Assurance teams so that the integrity of your merchandise is sustained from in-bound to delivery.
2. Advanced inventory management system and order fulfillment
Your 3PL provider should offer an advanced inventory management system that can efficiently track and manage stock levels, handle batch and expiration dates, and provide real-time inventory visibility. The 3PL provider should have a robust order fulfillment process in place, capable of handling high-volume orders while ensuring accuracy and speed in picking, packing, and shipping.
Metro Supply Chain’s best-in-class Order Management System (OMS) is fully integrated with core supply chain systems providing end-to-end visibility of your inventory and orders. This enables you to dynamically adapt your inventory and merchandising strategies as your supply chain productivity changes across your entire fulfillment landscape. Order planning leverages dynamic Distributed Order Management (DOM) logic to optimize your order fulfillment to best achieve your channel strategies.
Metro Supply Chain’s warehouse management system (WMS) also meets Health Canada requirements including recall reporting and retention sampling. Tracking lots and expiration dates help Metro Supply Chain deliver high-quality goods to consumers with every order. You can also see dynamic, up-to-date reports of your business metrics with Metro Supply Chain’s easy to use, intuitive business intelligence reporting, including on-hand inventory, order status, percentage of fulfilled orders, and shipment tracking.
3. Regulatory compliance & robust quality assurance systems
Your 3PL provider should understand and adhere to necessary product regulations according to the country your products are being fulfilled from. In addition, your 3PL should provide quality assurance assistance, and have robust quality assurance systems in place to minimize risk of product loss, damage, or spoilage.
Metro Supply Chain provides in-house, best-in-class Quality Assurance. We also have relationships with Regulatory Compliance companies who are well-versed in Health Canada policies, processes, and language to help your company meet Health Canada requirements. Additionally, Metro Supply Chain has robust quality management systems and inbound inspections, as well as segregated returns and quarantine areas to guarantee your operations are fully compliant in Canada.
4. In-house kitting, packaging, and labeling services
Labels are an important tool to assist consumers in making informed health decisions when selecting their products. Some health, beauty, and wellness products sold in Canada may require labels to display specific information, such as recommended dosage or list of ingredients. The label may also need to include any warnings, precautions, or potential side effects.
Metro Supply Chain provides in-house kitting and holds NHP, and Drug Packaging and Labelling Licenses. We are also licensed for repacking, relabeling, and detailed inspections. For US brands, we can re-label or re-package your US products to make them sellable in Canada.
Our services help streamline and optimize operations by reducing touch-points, transportation costs, and risk of product loss or errors. We also have the flexibility to meet your brands vision and create the perfect un-boxing moment. Our agile kitting services easily allow you to add special messaging, promotional inserts, special tissue paper, and more.
5. Excellent account management
Your 3PL provider should offer excellent customer service, with a dedicated account manager who can promptly address any issues or concerns. Metro Supply Chain works with brands to make their supply chain operations even better. Our integrated team of experts focus on understanding your business and identify where the most effective improvements can be made. We work with you to optimize operations that will enrich your business and deliver a superior experience to your customers. We continuously strive to add value to your business with our commitment to minimizing costs, risks and complexity.
Conclusion
For businesses dealing with health and wellness products, partnering with a reliable third-party logistics (3PL) provider can be a game-changer. A 3PL provider like Metro Supply Chain can offer a range of services tailored to the specific needs of health and wellness brands. These include:
- Handling products in facilities with proper licenses and certifications
- Ensuring regulatory compliance and quality assurance requirements are met
- Compliant labeling and packaging
- Offering personalization and customization through kitting processes
Health and well-being ecommerce fulfillment is a complex process that requires specialized knowledge and expertise. With the right 3PL provider, health and wellness brands can overcome the unique challenges of fulfilling and shipping their products while delivering a seamless shopping experience to their customers.
As the demand for health and well-being products continues to grow, so does the need for efficient and reliable e-fulfillment services. By understanding the nuances of health and well-being e-fulfillment and partnering with a capable 3PL provider like Metro Supply Chain, brands can effectively meet this demand and set themselves up for long-term success.
Ready to enhance your health and wellness ecommerce fulfillment? Contact Metro Supply Chain today and see how we can make your healthcare, beauty, or wellness ecommerce brand even better.
