The 8 Biggest Logistics Challenges E-commerce Brands Face and How Barrett Helps You Overcome Them

Katherine Wroth • April 4, 2025


Budgets are tight. Inflation and consumer expectations are rising. And the e-commerce space is oversaturated.


At Barrett Distribution Centers, we 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.

Recent Blog Posts

By Katherine Wroth April 17, 2025
We’re nearly halfway through 2025, and eCommerce brands already feel the impact of major shifts in fulfillment, automation and consumer expectations. At Barrett Distribution Centers , we’re helping our partners stay agile and ahead of the curve. Here are four key trends and how Barrett delivers solutions that make a difference. 1. Brands Are Prioritizing U.S.-Based Fulfillment More Than Ever With global shipping delays, rising tariffs and increased regulatory complexity, the need for a dependable U.S. 3PL partner has become a top priority for growing brands. Many are rethinking their footprint and shifting volume back onshore to reduce risk and increase speed to the customer. How Barrett supports this: We operate over 25 strategically located fulfillment centers across the U.S., offering scalable support from coast to coast. Whether brands need to supplement an international setup or build a full domestic distribution strategy, we’re creating flexible models to meet their needs. What we’re hearing: More brands are asking for dual-node fulfillment strategies to shorten delivery windows and improve regional responsiveness, especially heading into peak season. 2. Smart Bundling is Beating the Shipping Rate Surge Shipping rates—especially for lightweight packages under one pound—continue to rise, with increases of 18–25% hitting hard in Q1 and Q2. Brands that haven’t yet adapted are seeing margin pressure grow. What Barrett is doing: We’ve helped several partners redesign their packaging, consolidate SKUs into bundles and reconfigure order logic to optimize shipping brackets. Our fulfillment and support teams work with brands to test and implement smart bundling strategies that lower costs while driving customer value. Quick win: Bundling offsets shipping costs, boosts average order value and makes promotions more profitable. 3. Automation Is No Longer Optional Warehouse automation isn’t just for enterprise brands anymore. With labor challenges and service-level expectations higher than ever, automation has become a necessity, especially for brands navigating rapid growth. Barrett’s approach: We use automation in facilities where it makes the most significant operational impact. These aren’t million-dollar systems; they’re right-sized tools that improve accuracy, reduce cycle time and speed up fulfillment. What’s changed in 2025: Automation has become more plug-and-play and faster to implement, meaning brands can see ROI within months, not years. 4. Personalization Is Driving Loyalty (and Repeat Orders) In 2025, personalization has shifted from “nice to have” to a competitive necessity. Customers expect a tailored experience, from the products to the packaging they arrive in. What Barrett delivers: We offer a full suite of value-added services, including embroidery, engraving, branded inserts, custom pack-outs and influencer kits. Whether you’re a luxury brand or a high-growth DTC company, we help create a fulfillment experience that feels on-brand and memorable. Why it matters now: As consumer spending tightens, brands that deliver on the details see higher customer lifetime value and stronger repeat purchase behavior. Looking for a True Partner—Not Just a Provider? The pace of 2025 isn’t slowing down. If your current 3PL isn’t keeping up, it may be time for a change. At Barrett, we combine hands-on operational excellence with strategic insight to help brands scale smarter.  Let’s talk—schedule your complimentary supply chain consultation here.
By Katherine Wroth April 14, 2025
Not Just a Vendor. A Partner Who Gets It.
By Katherine Wroth April 10, 2025
For direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, success begins in the warehouse. From the moment an order is placed, your fulfillment process shapes the brand experience. At Barrett Distribution Centers , logistics isn’t just backend support. Fulfillment is the heartbeat of a successful DTC brand. Here’s how your warehouse strategy directly influences brand loyalty, repeat purchases and those all-important unboxing moments. 1. Customer Expectations Have Changed — Fulfillment Has to Keep Up If a brand promises 2-day shipping, customers will instantly notice the moment it’s late. If they order a personalized item, they’ll remember if it arrives incorrectly. Your warehouse is responsible for: Speed to ship Order accuracy Inventory visibility Packaging quality These are no longer “nice to haves,” they’re part of your brand promise. 2. Repeat Purchases Are Won (or Lost) in Fulfillment Acquiring a new customer is expensive. Keeping them? That comes down to the post-purchase experience. When fulfillment runs smoothly, your customer gets: A fast delivery The right items A well-presented package Confidence in your brand And when it doesn’t? You risk returns, negative reviews and churn . Fulfillment is where trust is built (or broken.) 3. Unboxing Is a Brand Moment — Not Just a Shipping Step Think of unboxing as your final marketing impression. Are your products arriving in a beat-up box with packing tape and nothing else? Or are they arriving in a branded, curated, thoughtful way? DTC brands that go the extra mile with: Custom packaging Personal notes Kitting or gift sets Branded tissue or wraps ...are the ones customers share on social media and return to. Barrett’s value-added services make this scalable and seamless. 4. Scalability Matters More Than You Think A fulfillment strategy that worked when you were shipping 100 orders a month won’t work when you hit 5,000. The right 3PL helps you: Flex your labor during peak Open new nodes to reduce ship times Avoid stockouts and overstocks Plan for long-term growth Scaling without sacrificing service? That’s the difference between brands that burn out and break through. 5. The Right Fulfillment Partner Makes It All Happen At Barrett, we help high-growth DTC brands deliver on their promises. With 25+ facilities nationwide, personalized service, and a tech-forward approach, we offer the flexibility and support growing brands need. Whether you need: Custom packaging Subscription box fulfillment Multi-node distribution Seamless system integrations We build solutions that keep you agile, accurate and customer-obsessed. Ready to Scale the Right Way? Let’s discuss how Barrett can help your DTC brand grow smarter, ship faster, and stand out where it counts—from cart to customer. Contact us today for a complimentary supply chain consultation.
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