What are the most common challenges in order fulfillment?
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Order fulfillment can present numerous challenges to businesses, but the most common are linked to inventory management and the precision of a business’s processes.
5 Common challenges in order fulfillment
Some of the most common order fulfillment challenges businesses face are the following:
1. Improperly filled orders
Sometimes, orders are filled inaccurately. Inaccurate order fulfillment may occur when an order is incorrectly recorded, or it might occur during the picking and packing phase. Either way, the end result is an upset customer or vendor.
2. Stockouts
Inventory management is central to efficient order fulfillment, but if you have frequent stockouts—particularly on items with high turnover—you’re likely to lose customers. Keeping enough items in stock to meet demand is key.
3. Time-consuming packing
Once an order is placed, you need to make sure the items are picked from your shelves and packaged in a timely manner. Otherwise, the shipment is likely to arrive late, making customers wait longer than they want to.
4. International orders
Shipping overseas is even more complicated. Not only can it take longer, but you also have customs and extra costs to contend with as well. Occasionally, an item may be sent back, meaning you’ll either have to try sending it again, or else refund the purchase.
5. Communication
Communication is central to efficient order fulfillment. You need to keep clear communication with:
A failure in communication at any point could lead to delays and lost customers.
What are some solutions to these challenges?
Overcoming these challenges frequently comes from automating as much of the process as you can. A few ways to do this are:
Each of these solutions can help you streamline your inventory management processes and fulfill orders more quickly and accurately.