In retail, speed to shelf can make the difference between a best-seller and unsold inventory.
As consumer demand shifts faster than ever, retailers and brands are rethinking their supply chain strategies to stay competitive. One approach gaining momentum is direct-to-store fulfillment — bypassing centralized distribution centers and delivering products straight from 3PL warehouses to retail locations.
According to industry data, 71% of 3PLs now offer direct-to-store (DTS) services. For those who can execute it well, DTS is more than a delivery model — it’s an opportunity to take on a more complex, value-added role in multichannel retail flows.
Bergen Logistics has been at the forefront of this shift, combining operational expertise, CloudX Systems integration, and a deep understanding of retail dynamics to help brands expand their reach, control costs, and boost in-store availability.
What is Direct-to-Store Fulfillment?
In traditional retail distribution, goods typically flow from the manufacturer to a central distribution center (DC) before being sent to stores. This adds time, handling, and cost.
Direct-to-store fulfillment changes the game:
- Products are stored in a 3PL’s warehouse.
- Store orders are processed and picked directly from 3PL inventory.
- Shipments go straight to the store location, skipping the retailer’s DC entirely.
DTS reduces touchpoints, speeds replenishment, and keeps stores stocked with exactly what they need — when they need it.
Why Direct-to-Store is on the Rise
Several forces are pushing brands and retailers toward DTS fulfillment:
1. Shorter Product Life Cycles
Fast fashion, seasonal promotions, and trend-based retail mean products need to hit shelves quickly before consumer interest fades.
2. Inventory Optimization
By shipping directly to stores, brands can reduce overstock in central DCs and keep inventory flowing where it’s actually selling.
3. Omnichannel Integration
In a multichannel world, retailers are blending in-store and online inventory strategies. DTS supports this by aligning supply with both brick-and-mortar and click-and-collect operations.
4. Rising Cost Pressures
Fewer handling steps mean lower transport and labor costs — crucial as logistics costs continue to climb.
How 3PLs Add Value in Direct-to-Store Fulfillment
DTS is more than simply shipping to a store. It requires precision, scalability, and coordination with retailer systems.
Here’s how a skilled 3PL like Bergen Logistics enhances the process:
1. Technology-Driven Accuracy
CloudX Systems integration ensures:
- Real-time inventory visibility across multiple SKUs and locations
- Automated order routing to the right store
- Live updates for both brand and retailer teams
With CloudX, DTS isn’t just fast — it’s flawlessly accurate.
2. Retail Compliance Expertise
Every retailer has unique routing guides, labeling requirements, and delivery windows. Missing any of these can mean fines or rejected shipments.
Bergen Logistics ensures:
- Strict adherence to retailer-specific requirements
- On-time, in-full delivery (OTIF) performance that exceeds benchmarks
- Pre-ticketing, labeling, and packaging exactly to spec
3. Scalable Infrastructure
Whether a brand is shipping to 10 stores or 1,000, Bergen Logistics can:
- Handle seasonal spikes without compromising service
- Expand DTS services across multiple retail partners
- Support both domestic and cross-border direct-to-store shipments
4. Value-Added Services for Retail Success
Beyond basic fulfillment, Bergen Logistics offers:
- Kitting and assembly for in-store displays
- Custom packaging to enhance unboxing and merchandising impact
- Returns management to streamline unsold product retrieval
DTS in Multichannel Retail Flows
Direct-to-store fulfillment is not a standalone service — it fits into a broader omnichannel distribution network.
How it integrates:
- E-commerce orders: Picked and shipped from the same inventory pool as DTS orders
- Click-and-collect: DTS replenishes store stock for same-day or next-day pickups
- Pop-up shops and events: DTS ensures rapid stock availability for temporary retail spaces
DTS gives brands the agility to serve multiple channels from a single, synchronized inventory.
Challenges in Direct-to-Store Fulfillment — and How to Overcome Them
While DTS offers clear benefits, it comes with operational challenges:
1. Complex Coordination
Coordinating orders across multiple retailers, each with unique requirements, can overwhelm providers without advanced systems.
Bergen’s answer: CloudX Systems automation and dedicated retail compliance teams.
2. Inventory Accuracy
DTS demands perfect inventory records to avoid sending wrong products or quantities to stores.
Bergen’s answer: Real-time scanning, cycle counting, and proactive discrepancy resolution.
3. Cost Management
If not optimized, DTS can lead to higher per-unit shipping costs due to smaller, more frequent deliveries.
Bergen’s answer: Consolidation strategies, zone-skipping, and smart routing to minimize cost while preserving speed.
Why Bergen Logistics is the Ideal DTS Partner
Bergen Logistics brings unmatched capabilities to direct-to-store fulfillment:
- Experience: Proven track record with fashion, beauty, luxury, and lifestyle brands
- Compliance mastery: Deep understanding of retailer routing and labeling requirements
- Technology integration: CloudX Systems for real-time control and transparency
- Omnichannel reach: Ability to serve both online and offline retail flows seamlessly
- Global scope: Domestic U.S. coverage plus international DTS capabilities
Key Takeaways for Brands Considering DTS Fulfillment
- DTS speeds time-to-shelf and reduces costly handling steps.
- A skilled 3PL partner ensures compliance and consistency across retailers.
- Technology like CloudX Systems delivers visibility, accuracy, and automation.
- Integrated omnichannel fulfillment creates agility and efficiency.
- The right 3PL partner can turn DTS into a competitive advantage.
Act Now — Put Your Products Where Customers Can Buy Them
Every day your product isn’t on the shelf is a missed sales opportunity. In a competitive retail environment, direct-to-store fulfillment can be the fastest path from warehouse to checkout counter.
Bergen Logistics has the expertise, technology, and retail partnerships to make DTS a seamless, cost-effective part of your multichannel strategy.
Contact Bergen Logistics today to learn how our direct-to-store solutions can:
- Cut replenishment lead times
- Increase in-store sales
- Integrate with your omnichannel operations
The shelves are waiting. Let’s get your products there — faster, smarter, and with precision.