Level Up Game Fulfilment With the Tech-Driven 3PL Built for Your Next Launch
Ship every game box with care, master demand surges, and keep inventory perfectly in sync.
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What games brands need from a fulfilment partner
As your game brand grows, so do the complexities of fulfilling orders at scale. From launch-day spikes to international shipping and intricate kitting, here are the most common challenges—and why they matter.
Managing launch-day and seasonal volume spikes
A big release or holiday promotion can overwhelm traditional fulfilment setups, causing delays and cutting into profits. Game brands need a partner that can help them make the most of drops and launches, and handle demand surges with ease.
Keeping omnichannel inventory and orders in sync
When multiple SKUs are included in various bundles across channels (like Shopify, Amazon, and retail), manual tracking increases the risk of oversells, stockouts, and inaccurate forecasting. Look for a 3PL that offers centralised inventory management with syncing across every sales channel.
Kitting multi-piece game sets
Multi-component game sets and pre-packed starter kits demand accuracy to prevent mispacks and support tickets. Work with a fulfilment partner that has dedicated kitting workflows to help ensure every set is packed accurately and ready for customers.
Secure packaging for collector-grade items
Collector-grade miniatures, heavy boards, and custom boxes require packaging that protects their value and shelf appeal. Partner with a fulfilment service that offers reliable packaging options and protective materials tailored to keep products pristine from warehouse to customer.
Serving both B2B partners and DTC channels
Complying with EDI retailer routing guides while shipping both B2B and DTC ecommerce orders from the same pool of inventory can be challenging for some brands to manage. Use a fulfilment solution that can maintain a shared pool of inventory and automate routing rule compliance so that every order is shipped as expected to various audiences and customer types while meeting retailer requirements.
ShipBob solutions built for game brands
Fulfilment for game brands comes with unique challenges—from seasonal surges to delicate pieces, complex bundles, and strict labelling requirements. Here’s how ShipBob helps you overcome them while delighting customers at every turn.
Right-sized and custom packaging
ShipBob’s box selection algorithm chooses the optimal packaging size for every order, and lets you use your own branded boxes. ShipBob uses eco-friendly kraft and Geami paper to protect products during transit while preserving a premium unboxing experience.
Flexible capacity for demand surges
ShipBob’s distributed fulfilment network and smart order routing technology help brands scale alongside your biggest drops, promotions, and seasonal peaks. We stick to our SLAs and never stop receiving inventory during the holidays and have no blackout periods to help ensure your customers’ gifts get delivered fast and even before Christmas.
Automated omnichannel sync
Direct integrations with dozens of ecommerce platforms and marketplaces help keep inventory and order data updated across Shopify, Amazon, WooCommerce, and more.
Kitting for multi-component sets
If you need value-added services, ShipBob can pick and pack multi-piece game sets or starter kits in advance, so each one is ready to ship as soon as a customer places an order. Once approved, ShipBob can follow detailed kitting request instructions to ensure consistency and speed while reducing touchpoints at crunch time.
Virtual bundles made simple
ShipBob’s dashboard makes it easy to map your SKUs and create virtual bundles. When a bundle is ordered, ShipBob’s platform automatically updates inventory by subtracting the correct quantity from each bundled SKU, helping ensure accurate inventory counts across your sales channels and individual SKU unit counts.
Retail dropshipping and distribution EDI expertise
ShipBob’s platform supports EDI workflows and compliance for major retailers and helps provide real-time visibility into inventory across channels.
Examples of game products that ShipBob can fulfil
- Board games
- Card and deck-building games
- Puzzle and dice games
- Gaming figurines or miniatures
- Miniature war games
- Booster packs and expansion sets
- Playmats, sleeves, and storage accessories
- Game-themed apparel, pins, prints, and collectibles
How Spikeball scales globally with ShipBob’s hybrid fulfilment
The creator of the world’s leading roundnet game, Spikeball leverages both ShipBob’s warehouse management system (WMS) to power its US facility and ShipBob’s outsourced fulfilment centres in Canada and Europe. The result: streamlined operations, lower shipping costs, and faster delivery times for fans worldwide.
Catch up on the Latest Game Case Studies
ShipBob WMS optimises warehouses, reduces errors, and increases productivity.
The world’s #1 roundnet game saved over $400,000 on shipping costs
Prior to ShipBob, Spikeball didn’t have pick locations or a computer at the packing table, and their manager would have to print labels order by order; relying on her own knowledge to select weight, dimensions, and the cheapest shipping carrier.
In 2022, Spikeball tapped ShipBob to help them with their global supply chain strategy by utilising a hybrid approach: ShipBob’s warehouse management system and global fulfilment network. This provided Spikeball the ability to send sets to their customers efficiently and cost-effectively, regardless of where they lived.
Tonies Shipped 1M+ Tonieboxes in the US Alone With ShipBob Plus
Toy brand, Tonies, partnered with ShipBob to scale fulfilment, navigate peak season pressures, achieve real-time data, and more. They’ve since shipped over a million Tonieboxes in the U.S., while consistently maintaining a 50% year-over-year growth rate.
ShipBob’s Inventory Placement Program has allowed them to send all of their inventory to a single hub, with the option of using ShipBob’s algorithms to calculate and automate ideal regional distribution from there.
Rugby Bricks Manages 4x Growth in a Year With Partners Like ShipBob
Rugby Bricks has grown 266% in the last year due to their audience expanding online and from selling in more retail stores. With ShipBob, they don’t have to worry about whether orders are going out or if anything’s going wrong with them.
In the ShipBob dashboard, they can view a breakdown of daily costs, which is also very different from other providers who just give you a big bill at the end of a month.
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 couriers 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 fulfilment 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 fulfilment partner you’ll need. Whether you’re shipping 1,000 orders per month or 200,000, we have you covered. With a large fulfilment 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 fulfilment centers.
3. Ship
As soon as a customer places an order, we ship it from the nearest fulfilment centre.
FAQs about board games fulfilment
How does ShipBob ensure safe shipping for board games and collectibles?
ShipBob lets you use your own polymailers and boxes. Based on the contents of each order, our box-selection algorithm automatically selects the ideal packaging type and size, which helps protect goods and save you money. We also pack products with dunnage for an extra layer of security.
Can ShipBob handle sudden spikes in order volume from product launches?
Yes. ShipBob’s distributed network and flexible labour capacity are designed to navigate rapid increases in order volume without slowing fulfilment.
Does ShipBob integrate with my ecommerce platforms?
ShipBob connects with Shopify, Amazon, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and dozens more ecommerce platforms and marketplaces, automatically syncing orders and inventory data, though specific sync frequencies may vary by integration.
How does ShipBob manage kitting for games with multiple components?
As a value-added service, you can provide clear kitting instructions in a kitting request for ShipBob to vet, and ShipBob picks and packs your sets ahead of time so they ship as single units once the order is placed, which helps streamline fulfilment and supports accurate inventory management for more complex kits.
Can ShipBob fulfil both direct-to-consumer orders and bulk retail/wholesale shipments from the same inventory?
Absolutely. ShipBob supports DTC parcel shipping alongside B2B distribution, all managed through one platform.
What shipping options does ShipBob offer for games and collectibles?
ShipBob supports domestic and international shipping with options that balance speed and budget (both standard and expedited).
How does ShipBob help with inventory management across B2B and DTC channels?
ShipBob offers real-time inventory tracking, and its automated sync, while varying in frequency across integrations, helps prevent oversells, supports demand forecasting, and simplifies replenishment. ShipBob also integrates with platforms like Shopify and Amazon to streamline your tech stack.
Can I customise packaging or include inserts?
Yes. Send ShipBob your branded boxes and inserts, and we’ll work with you to ensure seamless fulfilment according to your desired unboxing experience. You can also have ShipBob print gift notes on demand.
How does ShipBob handle returns and replacements?
When products come back, ShipBob can restock, quarantine, or dispose of each unit based on your preferences. Status updates flow to your dashboard so you have the information you need to decide next steps without dedicating internal staff to the process. And returns can be sent back to you or another non-ShipBob location as you choose which address your customers send it to.
What does ShipBob’s pricing look like?
ShipBob charges for receiving, storage, and an all-in fulfilment cost, which includes shipping which is variable and based on weight, dimensions, shipping zone, and other factors. 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 fulfilment centres to help you strategically split and manage your inventory to reduce shipping costs and transit times.
FEATURED REPORT
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