Improving Furniture Logistics: Where to Start?
Scott Hothem • July 16, 2014
Congratulations! You have just been hired as the Senior Vice President of a major furniture manufacturer. The first task at hand is to tighten all logistics operations. A report on your desk lists the three initiatives as: reduce costs, decrease damaged products, and increase customer satisfaction. Essentially, you need to overhaul the entire logistics function of this furniture manufacturer. Distribution and transportation has never been your specialty, so where do you begin?
Managing the complexity of furniture distribution can be overwhelming. In an effort to keep your sanity, you take a step back and review the basics of furniture logistics:
- Furniture should not be treated or packaged like other goods. Other products tend to damage it, so it should be shipped with other furniture
- Furniture requires specialized, manual handling as mechanical equipment is more likely to damage it.
- Container loading strategies create interlocking sections to enable stability and accommodate multiple stops. (In the logistics industry, this is called “filling the cube”.)
- Furniture has inherent flaws. As the “touches” increase, so does the damage.
The basics of furniture logistics have not changed, but consumer demand and expectation has shifted over time. The days of investing in a piece of furniture that will be passed down for generations are vanishing. Most shoppers are buying only one piece at a time, as opposed to buying an entire room. As a result, online purchases have increased dramatically over the last several years. According to reports, 2013 online furniture sales revenue reached $9.0 billion, a growth of 10.4% from the previous year. For the furniture industry, this is both a blessing and a curse, as e-commerce has trained consumers to expect fast delivery.
In order to satisfy the challenges of your new job and meet consumer demand, you must focus on a few key sectors.
- Collaborate With Partners – It’s critical that you take a look at the entire supply chain and evaluate everything. Identifying the collaborative partners who are interested in developing customized solutions for your company is a great start in helping you achieve your supply chain goals.
- Evaluate Sources of Damages – Damages are the number one headache in furniture distribution. One of the main causes of damaged furniture is poor packaging. Take a hard look at the current packaging system. One scratch on a delicate piece of furniture can create a negative ripple in both your supply chain and company image. Once furniture is damaged, it is costly to repair, and it cannot re-enter the new product stream. Furthermore, if not caught within the supply chain process, damaged products delivered to the customer will create adverse feelings towards your company. In an effort to minimize these situations, it is wise to invest more resources in a customized packaging solution. In the long run, you will save your company time and money.
- Current Distribution Strategy – The two main options for delivery are direct to store (Full Truck Load -TL) and consolidated delivery (Less Than Truck Load-LTL). The consolidated delivery option is a more expensive option, and it has a higher likelihood of delivering damaged furniture. However, in order to qualify for a direct to store option, you must have enough volume to merit the full shipment. Developing a strategy that balances cost, delivery time and minimizes damage can help increase efficiencies for your company.
- Visibility – This is a challenge for most furniture companies today. By investing in visibility technology, everyone involved in the supply chain, including the end-user, benefit greatly. For your company, information can be the difference between maintaining a relationship and losing the business. For the customer, these transparent tools provide real time information, so they are not left guessing about when their shipment will arrive. These same tools can also help furniture companies forecast and plan for future changes within the industry. By having the technology in place, you will provide your company with the flexibility needed to remain relevant in the industry.
Effectively managing the supply chain of a major furniture manufacturer is a challenge for even the most experienced executive. The key to initiating change is to have a basic understanding of the distinctive components of the furniture industry. By taking a closer look at the aforementioned four areas within your current supply chain, you will be one step closer to resolving the initiatives assigned to you.
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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.
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
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.
