Every warehouse is not for everyone, however, the relationship with Barrett has been more of a partnership and an extension of our company versus a traditional client-customer relationship. It is invaluable to have a partner who is just as equally invested in your success.
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Barrett Distribution Centers
15 Freedom Way
Franklin, MA 02038
508-553-8800
Apparel Fulfillment
Clothing and Apparel Logistics
The apparel industry faces many complex challenges when it comes to inventory management and order fulfillment.
Why is accuracy so important for apparel fulfillment?
HOW IS INVENTORY MANAGED FOR APPAREL FULFILLMENT?
With a high volume of SKUs, poor inventory management can be an apparel brand killer. Adding the fact that fashion and styles change quickly, brands can be left with aged, unsold product that loses value and costs money to store season-after-season.
Brands must balance fill rate with a disciplined SKU assortment strategy to keep inventory levels as lean as possible. Item activity level reporting from a modern warehouse management system can proactively help clothing brands identify slow moving inventory to make room for new seasonal merchandise. This active inventory management will help your fulfillment provider keep its slotting plan up to date and enable more efficient picking.
HOW IS SEASONALITY MANAGED FOR APPAREL FULFILLMENT?
Many apparel brands have seasonal surges in order volume. Whether it’s around the holidays, or through social media promotions or as the temperatures change, being able to scale your fulfillment capacity at these times is vitally important. When logistics companies can prepare for seasonal or promotional marketing events by leveraging communication, forecasting and planning, it drives improvements in order cycle time. Fulfillment providers can operate in a much more cost-effective and efficient manner when not in a “reactionary mode."
WHAT ARE THE PACKAGING DEMANDS FOR APPAREL FULFILLMENT?
Apparel packaging is an important consideration from both a branding and product protection standpoint. If an order is going directly to a consumer, the packaging and presentation is essential. If an order is going to a retail outlet, the carton needs to be labeled properly to avoid chargebacks. To improve industry best practice is for master cartons and units to be barcoded and packaged with one style, size and color per carton. Does your apparel, or a specific product line require hangers? If so, your fulfillment facility will need dedicated hanging space. Considerations and steps also need to be made if your inventory needs to be bagged, packaged, or folded in a certain way.
WHAT VALUE-ADDED SERVICES ARE IMPORTANT FOR APPAREL FULFILLMENT?
Value-added services are an increasingly important consideration for
apparel brands. Based on your specific needs and customer expectations, these additional options can offer a competitive advantage and reinforce your brand’s image. Packaging, kitting, bundling, labeling and personalization are five common and popular value-added services. Whether you need custom designed packaging or have a variety of components that need to be transformed into finished kits, there are different service options that can meet these needs.
HOW ARE RETURNS HANDLED FOR APPAREL FULFILLMENT?
APPAREL FULFILLMENT BLOG
By deploying a drone-based inventory monitoring solution at its Hillsborough, N.J., facility, Barrett Distribution Centers, a growing 3PL, has taken license plate accuracy to the next level, helping with order picking and eliminating time spent on manual cycle counts.
As a third-party logistics provider with over 80 years of experience in the industry, Barrett Distribution understands that speed and accuracy are crucial. E-commerce brands need their orders picked, packed and shipped to customers within minutes. Barrett meets these demands by offering a wide range of integration options tailored to its client's specific needs. Barrett's Expertise in Simplifying IT Integration for Clients Barrett supports everything from traditional, straightforward system integrations like flat files transferred to an SFTP site to more sophisticated solutions such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) over AS2 or a value-added network (VAN). However, the real innovation lies in Barrett’s robust stack of REST APIs. These APIs allow clients to programmatically interface with various systems within Barrett, including the Warehouse Management System (WMS) layer, providing a future-ready technology solution. For tech-savvy clients, this means the possibility of integrating with Barrett’s systems even before operations go live, ensuring a smooth transition and continuous operation. Additionally, Barrett offers quick and effective plug-in solutions for popular platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and QuickBooks Online through its partnership with Pipe17. This enables rapid integration, making connecting with Barrett's systems easier for clients using these platforms. For brands using NetSuite, Barrett's long-standing Oracle SDN partner expertise provides a best-in-class interface. Whether a client uses TrueCommerce, SPS Commerce, or another EDI provider, Barrett can integrate seamlessly, making NetSuite the central hub of operations. This flexibility extends to environments with pre-existing customizations, allowing clients to benefit from Barrett’s solutions without disrupting their current setups. How Barrett Prioritizes Security and Integrity in a Digital Landscape As the digital landscape becomes increasingly complex, the security and integrity of client data have never been more critical. Barrett Distribution takes this responsibility seriously by adhering to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, which guides its technology choices and security posture. Barrett has established long-term partnerships with industry-leading cybersecurity providers including Okta, CrowdStrike, Arctic Wolf, and GuidePoint Security. These relationships ensure that Barrett remains at the forefront of IT security, leveraging the best technology to protect client data from a rapidly evolving threat landscape. Investment in IT security is a top priority at Barrett. Unlike some organizations that operate under the principle of "no budget" for IT security, Barrett carefully allocates significant resources to this area. This strategic investment ensures Barrett can provide a secure environment for client operations and data, safeguarding against potential data loss and other cyber threats. How Barrett Stands Out in IT in the 3PL Industry Barrett Distribution's approach to IT infrastructure combines innovation, flexibility, and robust security. For many years, Barrett has been a cloud and SaaS-first company, giving it a significant advantage over its peers. Barrett can deliver tailored innovations quickly and efficiently by maintaining deep partnerships with commercial software providers while developing in-house capabilities. This unique approach allows Barrett to react swiftly to client needs, whether implementing a small yet impactful change or responding to an urgent business opportunity. In contrast to competitors relying solely on off-the-shelf packages, Barrett’s ability to innovate internally ensures that it can provide the right solution at the right time, keeping client operations running smoothly and securely. Conclusion Barrett Distribution is a third-generation 3PL leader in IT integration and security within the 3PL industry. With a comprehensive approach that includes advanced integration options, strong cybersecurity measures, and a commitment to innovation, Barrett ensures its clients can operate seamlessly and securely in today’s digital landscape. Ready to Enhance Your Logistics with Cutting-Edge IT 91¹ú²ú? We understand that your business demands more than just logistics—it requires seamless integration, robust security, and innovative technology—partner with us to experience a long-term 3PL partner that aligns with your digital needs. Contact us today to learn how our tailored IT solutions can uplevel your operations and keep you ahead of the competition.
Inside Barrett Distribution: The Journey, Success and Future of a Leading 3PL 
We have also dealt with requirements for counterfeit product detection and management of the brand threat, while ensuring that all solutions position Vibram to scale, with orders and delivery (direct to consumer and to retail channels) capable of fast response as orders grow in number and complexity.
