Streamline Apparel Fulfillment With the 3PL Tech, Network, and Expertise Built for Fashion Brands
Reduce shipping costs and simplify returns, while keeping SKUs synced across channels in real time.
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What apparel brands need from a fulfillment partner
From large catalogs with endless size and style variations to high customer expectations around packaging and returns, apparel fulfillment comes with unique challenges. Here’s what to look for in a partner that can support growth.
Inventory accuracy for large catalogs
Overselling can occur when a wide variety of style, size, and color combinations are managed without real-time tracking across sales channels. Partner with a fulfillment provider that offers real-time inventory sync across channels to accurately track SKUs and prevent overselling.
Reduced shipping costs from strategically distributed inventory
Shipping apparel from a single warehouse to customers nationwide often increases average shipping zones, transit times, and label costs. Partner with a fulfillment provider that can distribute all inventory of even just best-sellers across different regions of the country and automatically balance stock.
Enhanced unboxing experience and streamlined returns
Customers often judge apparel brands by the quality of their packaging and the ease of exchanges. Look for a fulfillment partner that can store your branded packaging as unique SKUs and offers integrations with returns platforms like Loop and AfterShip to facilitate a seamless returns experience.
Scalable fulfillment for peak seasons
Product launches and holiday spikes can make in-house staffing and space planning unpredictable and expensive. Partner with a fulfillment network that is built to handle surges in demand and can flex capacity as needed, ensuring fast and accurate order fulfillment even during peak seasons.
Simplified omnichannel fulfillment through a single partner
Selling the same SKUs through DTC sites, marketplaces, and big-box retailers means juggling different prep rules and separate stock. Partner with a unified 3PL that centralizes inventory and supports both marketplace orders and retailer EDI workflows keeps operations simple.
International expansion adds cost and complexity
Entering new countries can introduce duties, taxes, and long transit times, which may erode margins on trend-driven garments. Partner with a global fulfillment provider that offers Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) international shipping and in-country shipping across the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia to mitigate these challenges.
ShipBob’s fulfillment solutions that apparel brands care about
ShipBob’s 3PL solutions are tailored for clothing and fashion brands, combining real-time inventory sync with branded experiences and scalable logistics. Here’s how we help apparel companies deliver on customer expectations.
Real-time inventory sync
ShipBob’s advanced inventory management platform automatically syncs inventory counts across all your sales channels, ensuring you always have accurate, up-to-date stock levels for every SKU and variant. With robust reporting tools and barcode scanning at key touchpoints, you gain real-time visibility into inventory across all styles, sizes, and colors.
Branded unboxing and seamless returns
Create memorable unboxing experiences using your custom branded boxes, mailers, and marketing inserts. ShipBob stores your provided branded packaging as unique SKUs and packs each order to your specifications.
For hassle-free exchanges, ShipBob works with platforms such as Loop and Aftership, which can make initiating returns and exchanges easier. Otherwise, ShipBob offers simple options to restock, quarantine, or dispose of returned products. You can also choose to have returns sent to another location of your choosing (which doesn’t have to be a ShipBob facility).
Global scalability and flexibility
ShipBob’s global fulfillment network and proprietary technology are designed to help brands seamlessly scale through every season. With dozens of fulfillment centers across the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia, ShipBob enables you to strategically distribute inventory closer to your customers, minimizing shipping costs and delivery times — even during peak periods.
Our Inventory Placement Program (US only) also allows you to automate inventory distribution and replenishment across regions for even just best-sellers, saving time and reducing operational headaches. Plus, our real-time analytics and dedicated support help you make informed decisions to manage fluctuating demand effectively.
Unified multichannel fulfillment
ShipBob empowers brands to manage all their sales channels (DTC, marketplaces, social, and big-box retailers) through a single, streamlined platform. Our robust EDI integrations, automated order routing, and real-time inventory sync ensure you can fulfill retailer requirements and marketplace orders from one shared pool of stock.
With ShipBob, you gain the flexibility to scale across channels, prevent overselling, and maintain full visibility and control, all while meeting the unique prep and routing rules of each partner.
Types of apparel products that companies fulfill with ShipBob
Tops and outerwear
- T-shirts, polos, dress shirts, blouses, tank tops, crop tops
- Hoodies, sweatshirts, sweaters, cardigans
- Jackets, windbreakers, vests
- Athleisure and athleticwear
Bottoms
- Jeans, leggings, joggers, sweatpants, shorts
- Skirts, yoga pants, compression wear, activewear bottoms
One-pieces and swim
- Dresses, jumpsuits, rompers
- Swimwear (bikinis, trunks, one-pieces)
Loungewear and essentials
- Pajamas, loungewear sets, undergarments, socks, tights, sports bras
Accessories
- Scarves, hats, gloves, belts, ties, bowties, pocket squares, face masks, bandanas
Success Story: 100 Thieves scaled rapidly by integrating ShipBob’s tech-enabled fulfillment
100 Thieves, a fast-growing apparel and lifestyle brand, turned to ShipBob as they began to experience explosive order growth. The brand needed a fulfillment partner that was tech-enabled, integrated seamlessly with Shopify, and could scale alongside their business as they managed thousands of orders in minutes.
ShipBob’s intuitive dashboard, powerful integrations, and scalable fulfillment network allowed 100 Thieves to efficiently manage high order volumes and maintain an exceptional customer experience. The partnership enabled them to focus on growth, knowing their logistics were handled by a provider built for speed, accuracy, and flexibility.
Success Story: Elwood Clothing optimized in-house fulfillment with ShipBob WMS
Elwood Clothing, a prominent apparel brand, adopted ShipBob’s WMS to optimize their in-house fulfillment operations. By implementing ShipBob’s technology, Elwood was able to streamline warehouse workflows, reduce labor and operational overhead, and achieve significant cost savings.
ShipBob’s WMS provided Elwood with advanced inventory management, real-time analytics, and the ability to adapt to seasonal or viral demand spikes. The result was a more efficient, cost-effective, and scalable fulfillment operation that supported Elwood’s continued growth in the competitive apparel market.
ShipBob services all customers benefit from
- Connectivity & integrations: ShipBob’s 50+ turnkey integrations with all major ecommerce channels and tools – including Shopify, Gorgias, Klaviyo, NetSuite, Loop, AfterShip, and more – enable you to grow your business smarter, faster, and stronger than ever before. In addition to the ShipBob App Store that lets you instantly connect your tech stack, you can also leverage ShipBob’s Develop API for custom builds.
- Transparent, cost-effective pricing: Unlike many 3PLs, ShipBob has easy-to-predict billing that makes it easy to plan for spend, without too many line items. ShipBob also negotiates rates with carriers and passes those savings on to you.
- Real-time visibility: Track shipments, orders, and inventory across locations from one dashboard. Manage one pool of inventory across sales channels and push stock levels back to your store so you don’t oversell.
- Full-stack fulfillment platform: With ShipBob, you get an all-in-one OMS, IMS, WMS, RMS, TMS, and analytics for a consolidated tech stack. ShipBob’s platform acts as a mini-ERP, being a single source of truth for your orders and inventory.
- Easy, comprehensive onboarding: We’ve onboarded thousands of ecommerce merchants and helped some of the fastest-growing brands scale effortlessly. Our implementation team sets you up for success with everything from configuring your ship options, to syncing your online store.
- Support for growth: ShipBob aims to be the last fulfillment partner you’ll need. Whether you’re shipping 1,000 orders per month or 200,000, we have you covered. With a large fulfillment network to scale into, new channels to expand into, and additional capabilities to tap into, you won’t outgrow ShipBob.
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How it works
How ShipBob goes from your online store to your customer’s door
1. Connect
Connect your store, import your products, then send us your inventory.
2. Store
We store your inventory in any combination of our fulfillment centers.
3. Ship
As soon as a customer places an order, we ship it from the nearest fulfillment center.
FAQs about apparel fulfillment
How does ShipBob handle the unique storage needs of apparel, such as multiple sizes, colors, and styles?
ShipBob uses advanced inventory management and barcode scanning at key touchpoints to organize and store apparel by size, color, and style, with each unit required to be individually bagged and barcoded. This reduces mis-picks and ensures accuracy, while providing real-time visibility and seamless syncing across all your sales channels.
Can ShipBob support custom packaging and branded unboxing experiences for apparel brands?
Yes, ShipBob stores your custom branded packaging, such as boxes and poly mailers, as unique SKUs and packs every order to your specifications. This allows for memorable unboxing experiences with customized marketing inserts, plus personalized gift notes that can be printed on demand.
How does ShipBob help apparel brands manage returns and exchanges efficiently?
ShipBob facilitates a seamless returns experience, and even has integrations that make initiating returns and exchanges easier with leading returns platforms. You can also choose to have returns sent to another location of your choosing.
What steps does ShipBob take to prevent inventory overselling for apparel with large SKU catalogs?
Our technology automatically syncs inventory across all connected sales channels in real time, ensuring accurate stock levels and preventing overselling even with hundreds of style, size, and color combinations.
How does ShipBob help apparel brands reduce shipping costs and delivery times?
By distributing your inventory across multiple strategically located fulfillment centers, ShipBob helps you reduce your average shipping zone, lower shipping costs, and speed up delivery by automatically routing orders from the closest location to the customer.
Can ShipBob handle seasonal spikes and product drops common in the apparel industry?
Yes, ShipBob’s flexible fulfillment network and scalable operations allow you to ramp up capacity during peak seasons or product launches, so you never miss a sales opportunity.
Does ShipBob support multichannel fulfillment for apparel brands selling on DTC sites, marketplaces, and to retailers?
Absolutely. ShipBob’s unified platform centralizes inventory and order management for DTC, marketplaces, and retail partners, supporting EDI integrations (from its US fulfillment centers) and unique prep and compliance requirements for each channel.
How does ShipBob help apparel brands expand internationally?
ShipBob offers global fulfillment with dozens of centers across the US, Canada, UK, EU, and Australia, plus DDP international shipping options to simplify duties and taxes, making it easy to reach customers worldwide.
What technology integrations does ShipBob offer for apparel ecommerce brands?
ShipBob offers turnkey integrations with all major ecommerce platforms, including Shopify, and BigCommerce, ERPs like NetSuite, and even works with leading returns platforms like Loop and After Ship, and EDI partners like SPS Commerce to support omnichannel needs, providing a seamless tech stack for your business.
Is ShipBob a good fit for both growing and established apparel brands?
Yes, ShipBob’s scalable solutions, transparent pricing, and dedicated support make it ideal for mid-market and fast-growing apparel brands looking to streamline fulfillment and support long-term growth.
Shipping costs are variable in nature, based on weight, dimensions, destination, service, and more. Request your custom quote here: https://www.shipbob.com/quote/.
INTEGRATE ALL OF YOUR TOOLS
Connect to 50+ few-click integrations from our App Store, or build directly with our developer-friendly API
Ship from 60+ global locations
We use our network of fulfillment centers to help you strategically split and manage your inventory to reduce shipping costs and transit times.
FEATURED REPORT
What are apparel brands’ top priorities for shipping and fulfillment this year? Find out
There’s no question that the last several years have thrown a multitude of challenges at ecommerce brands. Despite this, brands are navigating the ever-changing landscape with plans to expand this year.
