The Real Reason E-commerce Brands Fail (Hint: It’s Not Sales)

Katherine Wroth • February 18, 2025

What happens when your business takes off overnight? E-commerce brands don’t fail because they can’t sell. They fail because they can’t fulfill.


If you’re an e-Comm. brand, you probably started your business with a system that met your needs at the time. However, success can quickly become challenging without a flexible fulfillment strategy, leading to higher costs, bottlenecks and frustrated customers.


In this post, we’ll discuss how scalable fulfillment impacts your business and how to find the right 3PL partner to keep operations running smoothly.


What Is Scalable E-commerce Fulfillment?


Scalable fulfillment refers to a logistics provider’s ability to adjust operations to accommodate fluctuating order volumes. This includes adapting labor resources, leveraging automation, optimizing warehouse management and fine-tuning order processing.


If any part of this system fails to scale effectively, inefficiencies arise—delays, errors and unhappy customers. While early-stage businesses often prioritize affordability and convenience when selecting a fulfillment solution, building scalability into your strategy early on is key to long-term success.


Why Scalability Matters in Fulfillment


1. Self-Fulfillment Can Only Take You So Far


Most e-commerce businesses start by fulfilling orders themselves. This makes sense—it’s cost-effective and gives merchants complete control over packaging and shipping. In the early days, you only needed was storage space, shipping materials and a label printer.


But as sales grow, the limitations of self-fulfillment become clear. More orders mean more inventory, packaging and labor. Maintaining order tracking, SKU management and shipping deadlines becomes a full-time job. Without the right infrastructure, delays mount, errors increase and customers look elsewhere.


2. Maintaining Quality as You Scale


You can inspect every package with a low order volume, ensuring accuracy and crafting a great unboxing experience. But as demand grows, maintaining that same attention to detail becomes difficult. Many 3PLs struggle to replicate the same personalized experience, which can impact customer loyalty. Scaling fulfillment ensures that your customers continue to receive the quality they expect—even as order volumes grow.


3. Managing Seasonal Peaks and Slowdowns


Many e-commerce businesses experience fluctuating demand. Whether it’s holiday shopping surges or slow post-season periods, fulfillment operations must be agile enough to scale up or down.



Without a flexible system, brands may overinvest in infrastructure they don’t always need or face fulfillment slowdowns when they need to ramp up. A scalable fulfillment partner helps you adjust resources, preventing costly inefficiencies.



What to Look for in a Scalable Fulfillment Partner


If your business is growing, choosing the right 3PL partner is critical. Here’s what to prioritize:


1. A Nationwide Fulfillment Network


A single fulfillment center can quickly become overwhelmed. Instead, look for a partner with multiple strategically located warehouses. This allows you to:


✅ Speed up delivery times by distributing inventory closer to customers
✅ Prevent bottlenecks by shifting fulfillment to different locations
✅ Ensure seamless fulfillment even during unexpected surges


2. Automated Fulfillment Solutions


Automation reduces reliance on seasonal labor, improves accuracy and speeds up order processing. With ongoing labor shortages, 3PLs integrating automation—such as robotic picking, AI-driven inventory management and automated sorting—offer a significant advantage.


3. Technology That Grows with You


Your fulfillment partner’s tech stack should handle your business’s growth—not just for today but for years to come. Ask potential providers:


✔ Can their systems manage a rapid increase in order volume?
✔ Do they integrate with your e-commerce platform and order management system?
✔ Do they offer real-time inventory tracking and predictive analytics?


4. Scalable Value-Added Services


Branded packaging, kitting and special inserts can enhance the customer experience—but can your fulfillment provider handle these extras as you scale? Ensure they can maintain the same level of personalization and quality even as order volumes rise.


5. Reliable Customer Support


Fast fulfillment is only part of the equation. A scalable provider should also help you maintain strong customer service, offering:


🔹 Real-time order tracking to reduce customer inquiries
🔹 Streamlined returns processing
🔹 Dedicated support teams to handle peak-season demand



The Bottom Line: Future-Proof Your Fulfillment Strategy


Scaling your fulfillment operations isn’t just about keeping up with growth—it’s about setting your business up for long-term success. The right fulfillment partner will help you stay agile, efficient and prepared for whatever comes next.


If you’re looking for a fulfillment provider who can support your business through every growth stage, 91¶¶Òõ is here to help. Let’s discuss how we can build a scalable, seamless fulfillment strategy for your brand.


Contact us today for a complimentary supply chain consultation to meet with one of our 91¶¶Òõ experts.

Recent Blog Posts

By Katherine Wroth June 26, 2025
If you think it’s too early to prep for peak season, it’s probably already too late. The reality is your competitors are already planning — and they’ll win if you don’t. At 91¶¶Òõ Distribution Centers , we’ve helped brands succeed through the busiest shopping seasons. The ones that perform best? They start early. Summer is your window to plan, secure resources and eliminate last-minute surprises. Why Peak Planning Starts in Q3 Orders need to ship faster, arrive on time and meet customer expectations. Missing the mark means you risk losing that customer for good. Whether shifting inventory closer to your customers, tightening up your tech, or locking in capacity before space runs out, your work in Q3 pays off when it matters most. What You Can Do Today: Start building a plan that holds up under pressure. A few moves to make now: • Secure capacity early: Lock in carrier space and warehouse availability before the rush • Confirm rate agreements: Get ahead of seasonal surcharges by finalizing pricing now • Check your visibility tools: Spot gaps in order tracking and inventory accuracy while there’s time to fix them • Align your teams: Get sales, ops and your 3PL provider on the same page with weekly check-ins and clear deadlines • Build backup plans: Expect disruptions—plan for weather, labor shortages and demand spikes • Partner with a 3PL: Work with a 3PL partner that can flex with your business and scale fast Peak Season Checklist ✓ Review last year’s data and build your forecast ✓ Adjust inventory based on expected demand ✓ Test your systems and strengthen your tech stack ✓ Set a regular planning cadence across teams ✓ Document contingency plans ✓ Confirm your 3PL is ready to support peak volume Don’t Wait for Peak to Start Acting Like It’s Peak. At 91¶¶Òõ, we’re already helping brands get ready for Q4. Contact us today for a complimentary supply chain consultation.
By Katherine Wroth June 19, 2025
FRANKLIN, Mass., June 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 91¶¶Òõ Distribution Centers has partnered with Two Boxes , a reverse logistics technology platform, to deliver an intelligent, more flexible returns solution for modern e-commerce brands. "91¶¶Òõ's deep e-commerce roots and innovation-first mindset make them an ideal partner," said Jack Hutchinson , Head of Growth at Two Boxes. "Their eCommerce Accelerator highlights their commitment to supporting high-growth brands. We're excited to see where this partnership goes—this is just the beginning." 91¶¶Òõ Distribution Centers partners with Two Boxes to streamline eCommerce returns. As client expectations increase and return processes become more complex, 91¶¶Òõ identified the need for a more streamlined process to manage inspections, re-kitting and faster resale readiness. Two Boxes was selected for its modern user experience, seamless integration with platforms like Shopify, Loop Returns and intuitive design for warehouse operators. "Two Boxes' SOP-driven approach allows us to empower more team members with real-time, step-by-step direction," said Doug Varga , VP of Information Technology at 91¶¶Òõ. "It's accurate, scalable and easy to use. When we find purpose-built solutions like this, they help us deliver faster results for clients and keep our teams focused on growth." 91¶¶Òõ is designing future phases of this integration to support its long-term vision for fully optimized returns operations. Contact 91¶¶Òõ for a complimentary supply chain consultation to learn how tech-enabled logistics can simplify returns and support your growth. About Two Boxes Two Boxes is a reverse logistics technology company that empowers 3PLs and direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands to transform returns from a costly burden into a strategic advantage. Launched in 2022 and co-founded by CEO Kyle Bertin and CPO Evan Stalter, Two Boxes builds intelligent inspection workflows, digitized SOPs and real-time analytics to make return processing faster, more accurate and highly visible. About 91¶¶Òõ Distribution Centers  Since 1941, 91¶¶Òõ has provided customized third-party logistics (3PL), direct-to-consumer (DTC) eCommerce fulfillment, omnichannel distribution, managed transportation solutions and retail compliance for clients across all industries, with a focus on apparel & footwear, health & beauty, consumer packaged goods (CPG) and education. 91¶¶Òõ continues to be a leading 3rd party logistics provider in North America, known for superior execution, customer engagement and direct access to senior leadership decision makers. As a member of Inc's fastest growing companies list 15+ times, 91¶¶Òõ is big enough to do the job and still small enough to deeply care about your business. Official Release Here
By Katherine Wroth June 9, 2025
Spoiler alert: Your customers don’t care how the package gets there. They just expect it to be fast, accurate and on-brand. That’s where the right 3PL comes in—handling everything from fulfillment and inventory management to returns and tech integration. So, what happens when you partner with a “forever 3PL”? Your operations run smoother, costs go down and growth gets easier across every sales channel. At 91¶¶Òõ Distribution Centers , we’ve supported high-performance brands for decades. Below, we break down the key features and differentiators to consider when evaluating fulfillment partners in 2025. A Smarter Approach to Omnichannel Fulfillment A successful omnichannel fulfillment strategy means your customers get a consistent experience—whether they’re shopping online, in-store or picking up curbside. For your operations team, it should mean: Faster shipping speeds Real-time inventory visibility Brand consistency across channels Top 3PLs don’t just preach omnichannel, they deliver it through strategically placed fulfillment centers , intelligent routing and scalable tech infrastructure. At 91¶¶Òõ, we operate a national network of fulfillment campuses that allow for multi-node shipping, optimizing delivery speed based on where your customers are. Some providers may promise omnichannel but only operate from a single location—leading to longer delivery times or inventory challenges. Brands that are growing fast or expanding into new channels often need more than just a one-warehouse solution. Customer Support and Returns: Not All 3PLs Are Created Equal While many 3PLs offer similar fulfillment services, customer support is often the differentiator. Personalized support can make or break your experience, especially during onboarding, peak season or troubleshooting unexpected issues. Support levels vary by provider: Tier 1 providers like 91¶¶Òõ offer dedicated account managers who know your business and provide hands-on support throughout onboarding and daily operations. Tier 2 options rely on shared support models like live chat or automated help desks. Tier 3 providers offer ticket-based systems with slower response times, often with minimal brand familiarity. When it comes to returns management, here’s how it breaks down: Tier 1: Advanced returns systems that sync with your inventory and automate refund triggers. Tier 2: Branded return portals with restocking or disposal features. Tier 3: Basic returns that return to a warehouse with limited tracking or communication. Not every business needs Tier 1 support, but if your fulfillment strategy depends on speed, customization or customer satisfaction, then this should be a non-negotiable. Tech Matters: OMS and WMS Capabilities The right 3PL gives you more than storage; they give you control. A strong order management system (OMS) and warehouse management system (WMS) ensures your team can monitor inventory, manage sales channels and fulfill orders quickly and accurately. A reliable tech stack includes: Sales channel integration that captures orders from your website, social media and retail locations An OMS that routes orders and manages updates A WMS that locates products, coordinates labor and tracks every step of the fulfillment process While most 3PLs provide an OMS, not all offer a full WMS. 91¶¶Òõ’s technology ecosystem includes both, giving you the visibility and precision to scale smarter. The Bottom Line Choosing the right 3PL isn’t just about cost but partnership. Your fulfillment provider should scale with you, solve for complexity and offer proactive service that keeps your operations running smoothly. At 91¶¶Òõ, we’ve been doing just that for over 80+ years. Let's talk if you’re outgrowing your current 3PL or want to explore what a “forever 3PL” partnership looks like. Contact us to connect with our supply chain experts for a complimentary consultation.
More Posts