More and more customers expect an omni-channel experience. They want the freedom to shop on any channel they choose. They also want the products they love to always be available. To answer these demands, companies have invested in a new fulfillment strategy: Ship from Store. Read on to learn more about today’s consumer mindset and the power of Ship from Store.
Shipping - Article | 2-min. read
5 Best Practices for Implementing Ship From Store
When it comes to meeting customer demand, responsiveness is the name of the game. A Ship from Store (SFS) system allows companies to address these escalating needs by putting their unused store stock to use. With the right strategy, your business could be on its way to servicing more and more customers. So how do you successfully implement such a system? Below we highlight the most important steps to take, from planning to setup.
- 1
Dedicate the time and space.
Not all of your business’s physical locations need to have SFS capabilities, but the ones you choose to include in your SFS system must have the space to facilitate fulfillment operations. Consider selecting locations that will enable fast delivery and, if possible, enable packages to reach customers in 1 to 2 days. Once you decide the on stores, section off an area for fulfillment purposes alone and establish how and when merchandise will be picked and packed.1
- 2
Set up the necessary systems and technology.
A critical part of SFS is managing inventory. With the right order-management system, you’ll be able to treat stores as fulfillment centers and efficiently use the stock they have to manage demand near real-time. That way, when an order comes in, the right store can be notified and begin the picking, packing and shipping process.2
- 3
Train your in-store staff to have warehouse skills.
Your store staff will need to learn the ins and outs of this new operations process. Teach them how to accurately pick, pack and ship inventory – without taking away from their primary job of selling merchandise and servicing customers.3
- 4
Deliver an omni-channel experience.
Maintain consistency with your warehouse-based operations, by keeping your packaging uniform regardless of shipping origin. Invoices, return labels, etc. should follow suit. With a consistent brand experience, you can bridge omni-channel gaps between customers, stores and distribution centers.4
- 5
Leverage the services of integration specialists.
When you utilize the USPS® for shipping services, our representatives can help you launch and refine your own SFS system. Operations Integration Specialists and Technical Integration Specialists can help guide you through setup, transportation, equipment, payment and processing systems, assessing how to use your locations efficiently and addressing any first-day issues that may arise—all free of additional charges.5
In Short
As more consumers expect products to be constantly available, it’s important for businesses to pivot and adapt to meet their demands. With the right strategy and resources, your company can implement a successful SFS system and start answering more of your consumers’ needs.
1“Ship from Store: How and Why to Get Your Inventory Up to Speed with Customer Demands,” USPSDeliver.com, 2016
2Ibid.
3Ibid.
4Ibid.
5Ibid.
Transform Your Business with Ship From Store
Learn moreRelated content: Shipping
Shipping - Infographic | 1-min. read
5 Key Takeaways from the Ship from Store Webinar
Consumer expectations are changing faster than ever. To achieve success, a retailer must meet or exceed these needs ahead of the consumer, especially when it comes to shipping costs. For this reason, Ship from Store is one of the most invested in omni-channel opportunities today.1
In the Ship from Store Webinar, guest speaker Brendan Witcher of Forrester Research and Jim McNally of the USPS shared their industry perspective on the popular fulfillment strategy, with McNally focusing on the USPS’ ability to meet Ship from Store needs.
The big takeaway
By 2017, 1 in 3 retailers is expected to deliver Ship from Store capabilities. Once consumers are exposed to this improved experience, companies will have to meet these needs or risk being edged out of their business.2

4 Key Benefit Pillars of Ship from Store
By providing access to products available at their various store locations, retailers are opening up the door to better conversion.



By aligning demand with available inventory, retailers can reduce markdowns and improve margins.

Moving product efficiently provides better inventory turns, making way for newer products on store shelves.



Shipping products closer to each consumer often means significant shipping cost reductions for retailers.3

1Brendan Witcher, “USPS Ship-from-Store Webinar,” Forrester Research.
2Ibid.
3Ibid.
Transform Your Business with Ship From Store
Learn moreShipping - Infographic | 2-min. read
Upgrade Your Omni-Channel Marketing with Ship from Store
More and more customers expect an omni-channel experience. They want the freedom to shop on any channel they choose. They also want the products they love to always be available. To answer these demands, companies have invested in a new fulfillment strategy: Ship from Store. Read on to learn more about today’s consumer mindset and the power of Ship from Store.
Omni-Channel Shopping
The New Standard
Customers Research, Compare, Browse, and Buy Using Multiple Channels Along the Way.

Today’s consumers demand a seamless, simple shopping experience, from in-store to online and on the go.
It’s up to retailers to deliver – or miss opportunities to make sales.
Difficulty Making Purchases
Poor Shopping Experiences Can Impact Whether Consumers Will Buy From a Retailer Again.1
Of consumers surveyed found it was easy to complete a purchase on their smartphones, iPhones and tablets.2
Of consumers surveyed found it was easy to complete a purchase on their home or office computer.3
- Immediate Inventory Availability4
- Fast Shipping Options2
- Next Day Delivery5
On-Demand Inventory:
Key To Getting Product Where and When It's Wanted
Retailers Want to Deliver a Seamless Experience to Customers Whether They’re Browsing In-Store or Comparing Prices Online.

How It Works
Ship from Store Solutions Align Supplies With Demand, Helping Retailers Create Online Fulfillment Centers In-Store.
Customer Order Is Placed
Order Management System (OMS) Routes To Store
Store Employee Picks Item
Schedule A USPS® Package Pickup
Customer Receives Package
Why It Works
- Flow of merchandiseBetween locations and customers
- Customer ExperienceWith access to full product inventory from anywhere
- Transit TimeWith date-specific delivery
- SalesDue to more inventory being shippable
- Shipping costsFrom stores to customers
- ReturnsAvailable either in-store or by mail
The Core Elements
Of Ship-From-Store Deployment

1"Will a Poor Customer Experience Affect Future Purchases?" eMarketer, March 18, 2016
2"Seamless Consumer Retail Research," Accenture, November 2015.
3Ibid.
4Retail’s Reset Moment, “How Omni-Channel Selling Affects the Supply Chain,” Retail Systems Research, LLC.
5“Seamless Consumer Retail Research,“ Accenture, November 2015.
Transform Your Business with Ship From Store
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