Order fulfilment refers to the steps involved in receiving, processing, and delivering orders to end customers. The process begins when a customer places an order and ends when the customer receives their purchase. This is an important step in eCommerce and supply chain management.
The Process of Order Fulfilment
The order fulfilment process consists of several stages:
- Receiving Inventory: This is the first stage of the process, where businesses receive goods from their suppliers and organise them in a warehouse.
- Inventory Storage: After receiving, goods are stored in a warehouse. Efficient inventory storage ensures easy retrieval of items when an order comes in.
- Order Processing: When a customer places an order, the requested items are gathered from the inventory and packaged for shipment.
- Shipping: The packaged order is then shipped to the customer using a reliable courier service.
- Returns Processing: If the customer is unsatisfied with the product, they may choose to return it. Businesses must have a process in place to handle returns effectively.