Choosing the Right 3PL Partner: A Comprehensive Checklist

 Budgets are tight. Inflation and consumer expectations are rising. And the e-commerce space is oversaturated. At Barrett Distribution Centers, w e understand the complexity of scaling your business. Whether you're managing B2B and DTC fulfillment, expanding into new channels or trying to meet next-day delivery expectations without draining your budget, we’re here to help. Here are eight of the most common logistics challenges brands face and how Barrett helps solve them. 1. Implementing Modern E-Commerce Strategies Growth strategies like bundling, upselling, order consolidation, pre-orders and personalized delivery options require operational flexibility and the right systems to execute. Legacy systems can slow brands down or block these strategies altogether. Barrett offers modern fulfillment solutions supported by integrated systems that enable operational agility. Our technology and processes are designed to help brands turn strategy into execution without adding complexity. 2. Expanding Sales Channels Without Adding Chaos As brands expand into retail, marketplaces and new DTC platforms, the backend operations can quickly become overwhelming. Overselling, underselling and inconsistent customer experiences can wear down trust and revenue. Barrett helps you grow across channels with confidence. Our systems support multichannel inventory management, centralized order routing and scalable fulfillment that adapts to the specific needs of each sales channel. 3. Choosing a 3PL That Grows With You Too often, brands outpace their 3PL provider. As demand grows and needs evolve, having the wrong partner can limit scalability and compromise customer experience. Barrett supports both DTC and B2B fulfillment with a unified solution. Whether you’re shipping to a consumer’s doorstep or replenishing inventory for a major retail partner, our nationwide network and customized approach ensure we scale with you. 4. Adapting to Economic Pressures Economic shifts and uncertainty pressure consumer behavior, supply chain costs and your bottom line. Operational efficiency and adaptability have become key to staying ahead. Barrett helps brands offset these pressures by optimizing fulfillment networks, reducing time in transit and streamlining inventory placement—all while delivering an excellent customer experience. 5. Scaling in a Cost-Conscious Environment Rising transportation, labor and warehouse costs can quickly eat into profitability. Growth needs to be smart not just fast. Barrett’s strategic inventory placement and network optimization help reduce shipping zones and transportation costs. We provide tools and insights that help you plan smarter, forecast more accurately and avoid costly inefficiencies. 6. Staying Agile in an Ever-Changing Market Your fulfillment operations must be responsive and agile, from seasonal surges to supply chain disruptions. Barrett’s flexible infrastructure allows you to ramp up, scale down and shift priorities quickly. We work closely with you to ensure your supply chain can flex with changing conditions without disrupting your customer experience. 7. Managing Capital and Inventory Smarter Growth capital is harder to access and many brands are rethinking how they manage working capital and inventory risk. Overstocking, long lead times and slow-moving inventory can limit your ability to invest where it matters. Barrett’s demand-driven fulfillment approach reduces unnecessary holding costs and frees up working capital. We help brands align inventory with demand so resources are available to drive growth rather than sitting on the shelf. 8. Delivering a Consumer Experience That Builds Loyalty At the end of the day, consumers expect fast, accurate and seamless experiences. A missed delivery or poor post-purchase experience can cost more than just a refund—it can cost loyalty. Barrett is built around delivering that high-touch experience. With best-in-class DTC fulfillment, responsive communication, real-time visibility and post-purchase support, we help our brand partners exceed consumer expectations every time. What You Can Do Now E-commerce and omnichannel brands can take action today by aligning the right strategies, technology and partners. That means: Implementing fulfillment strategies that support bundled orders, subscriptions or personalization Expanding into new sales channels without operational risk Optimizing inventory placement across fulfillment nodes Choosing a 3PL partner like Barrett with proven retail and DTC experience Leveraging data and forecasting tools to reduce risk and improve planning Why Brands Choose Barrett Barrett Distribution Centers powers high-growth consumer brands across apparel, health and beauty, home goods, specialty retail and more. With 20+ strategically located fulfillment centers across the U.S., we deliver fast, reliable service and scalable solutions tailored to your business. We are proud to support innovative brands through every stage of growth—from startup to enterprise. Are you looking for your forever 3PL? Contact us now to learn more about how Barrett can support your next phase of growth.

When was the last time you visited your fulfillment center? As e-commerce, omnichannel and B2B logistics become increasingly complex, building a strong relationship with your 3PL partner goes beyond Zoom calls and dashboards. Visiting your fulfillment partner in person can reveal more than a report ever could. At Barrett Distibution, we believe that trust, transparency and collaboration start on the warehouse floor. Here are five reasons why you should plan that visit: 1. See Your Brand in Action Walking the floor where your orders are picked, packed and shipped gives you an unmatched perspective. You’ll see how your product is handled, how your packaging is displayed and how your brand comes to life with every outbound box. It’s a great way to ensure your fulfillment strategy is aligned with your brand identity. 2. Build Stronger Relationships Meeting the team face-to-face builds trust and opens communication. You’re not just another SKU to us — you’re a partner. A visit allows you to connect with the operations team, ask questions and better understand the people powering your logistics daily. 3. Spot Opportunities for Efficiency Seeing the operation firsthand often reveals opportunities that aren’t visible on paper. Optimizing SKU locations, adjusting kitting processes, rethinking packaging materials and touring the facility with your account team can spark ideas to improve speed, accuracy and cost efficiency. 4. Gain Clarity on Performance Metrics Numbers are important — but context matters. A warehouse visit helps you better understand the "why" behind your KPIs. Whether digging into order accuracy or exploring dock-to-stock times, seeing processes live gives you the clarity you can’t get from a dashboard alone. 5. Collaborate on the Future Your business is growing. Your fulfillment partner should grow with you. In-person visits open the door to strategic planning: peak season prep, expansion into new channels or launching new product lines. You can brainstorm in real time and leave with an action plan when you're onsite. At Barrett, we welcome our clients to visit any time. Our goal is to be more than a provider — we aim to be your forever 3PL. Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, there’s always value in walking the floor, asking questions and having conversations that drive results. Want to schedule a visit to one of our fulfillment centers? Contact us today to make it happen. We’ll have the coffee ready.