Question

Topic: Research/Metrics

B2c Retail Fulfillment Research

Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 11/27/2013 at 11:11 AM ET 1000 Points
My client makes a set of products that helps companies ship easier and cheaper using the standard shippers (USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.). Basically creating the label cheaper, and also ensuring they are using the most cost effective shipping method for the particular shipment.

They are looking at the medium (have a few stores) to large (hundreds or thousands of stores - the Targets and Walmarts) brick and mortar retailers in the US that also do e-commerce as a potential market, and have asked me to research this market and get the background info to see if it is a market worth chasing (size, current trends, how they currently ship products, pain points, etc.).

It is already known that some of these shippers use 3PLs (3rd Party Logistics) to outsource this process, so I will also be doing research into these companies (who they are, how they work, are they potential customers, etc.) as part of this.

I have started by looking through my network and seeing if there are people within a few degrees of separation who might have info, and when possible, connecting with these folks and interviewing them. (note - I am making a separate question giving points to anyone who may know someone who meets the requirement, and is willing to make a connection).

I have also started a search on Google for articles, white papers, and the like that contain info. Also looking for trade associations, trade shows, and research reports from the Gartners and such that may be useful for this.

What other steps would you suggest? Of course, they want the best data possible, but also want to do this on a limited budget, so large market research programs are out of the question.

Thanks.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by koen.h.pauwels on 11/28/2013 at 12:36 AM Accepted
    Checking my network, Rick Feltenberger (The Supply Chain Center in Denver) would be most appropriate - how should i connect you guys?

    Cheers

    Koen
  • Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 11/28/2013 at 12:55 AM Author
    Koen,

    Thanks. That sounds great.

    You could either email me his contact info (to pdonohue AT expandabroad DOT com) or contact him first to see if he is Ok with being contacted, and then send me info. It is a holiday on Thursday and Friday for the states, so likely you won't hear back until next week.

    Peter
  • Posted by saul.dobney on 11/28/2013 at 5:54 AM Accepted
    Larger accounts typically have an account manager with customised service and prices/contracts and technologies. There's quite a lot of competition between suppliers to win accounts, but price is not the only consideration as it's very different shipping one or two items a day compared to the logistics involved in bulk shipping that has to be done to time and to a high standard. What you're describing sounds more like Parcel2Go which is more aimed at smaller shippers.
  • Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 11/28/2013 at 8:38 AM Author
    Not sure Parcel2Go is very active in the US. But they look like a shipping company, and that isn't what I am after. My client has a back end product to help choose shippers and products to provide the most cost effective option to ship, so we are looking to interview a segment of business (brick and mortars with multiple-stores that also do ecommerce) so we can understand their process of fulfilling the orders.
  • Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 11/28/2013 at 8:38 AM Author
    Oh, happy Thanksgiving to those in the States. I may not be responding for a few days to any further responses, but do please keep them coming in.
  • Posted by saul.dobney on 11/28/2013 at 11:57 AM Member
    Parcel2Go is an online service that allows you to pick shippers (ie from the majors) based on price, destination and speed and integrates with e-commerce sites and ebay, which sounded like it overlaps with the service you're describing. It is European-based currently but as far as I know it's expanding (I have no relationship with them other than clients who've asked to integrate it into their ecommerce shops to provide delivery options to customers). Larger accounts tend to have preferred shippers - they want to minimise the hassle of multiple pick-ups, or split-picking for different shippers.
  • Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 12/2/2013 at 3:17 PM Author
    Saul - thanks for the clarification. I agree that oarcel2Go sounds like it will be competing in some aspects with my client. Be worth following them, but probably not worth talking to them as part of this research.
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