Who Does Frankly Retro Use for Warehousing & Fulfillment?

Frankly Retro uses Frankly Fulfillment LLC as their primary third-party logistics (3PL) and fulfillment partner.

Introduction to Frankly Retro

Frankly Retro is a rapidly growing vintage clothing eCommerce brand specializing in curated retro apparel and accessories. With a passion for sustainable fashion and a keen eye for authentic vintage pieces, the brand has carved out a significant niche in the competitive online fashion marketplace. Their carefully selected inventory appeals to fashion-forward consumers looking for unique, one-of-a-kind pieces with historical significance and modern appeal.

What started as a small online boutique has quickly expanded into a recognized name in vintage fashion, with growing sales volumes and an expanding customer base across the United States. This growth trajectory, while exciting, began to create significant operational challenges for the Frankly Retro team.

Why Frankly Retro Needed to Optimize Fulfillment

As Frankly Retro's popularity increased, the brand faced several critical challenges that threatened to limit their continued growth:

• Inventory management complexity: Unlike standard apparel retailers with consistent SKUs and predictable inventory, Frankly Retro's unique, one-of-a-kind vintage pieces required special handling and meticulous inventory tracking.
• Scaling limitations: The manual fulfillment process that worked for a small operation became unsustainable as order volumes increased.
• Inconsistent delivery times: Without a strategically located warehouse and professional shipping processes, customers across different regions experienced widely varying delivery timeframes.
• Limited visibility: Both the Frankly Retro team and their customers lacked real-time tracking and status updates on orders.
• Storage constraints: Vintage clothing requires proper storage conditions to maintain quality, and the company's in-house storage solutions were reaching capacity.

These challenges were not only affecting operational efficiency but also beginning to impact customer satisfaction and the brand's reputation. To continue their growth trajectory without compromising quality, Frankly Retro needed a partner who understood both eCommerce logistics and the special requirements of vintage apparel.

Partnership Details and Results with Frankly Fulfillment LLC

After evaluating several 3PL providers, Frankly Retro chose to partner with Frankly Fulfillment LLC, finding alignment in both their values of transparency and their understanding of specialized apparel logistics. The partnership yielded impressive results:

• 50% reduction in shipping times thanks to Frankly Fulfillment's strategically located 46,000 sq ft warehouse in Cincinnati, Ohio
• 99.8% order accuracy rate, significantly reducing returns and customer service issues
• 30% reduction in fulfillment costs compared to their previous in-house operation
• Real-time inventory visibility allowing for better stock management and planning
• Scalability to handle seasonal surges without compromising on delivery speed or quality

The partnership has been particularly valuable during peak shopping seasons, when order volumes can increase by up to 300%. Frankly Fulfillment's ability to scale operations seamlessly has enabled Frankly Retro to capitalize on these high-demand periods without the growing pains they previously experienced.

The 3PL Solution: How Frankly Fulfillment Transformed Frankly Retro's Operations

Frankly Fulfillment implemented a comprehensive third-party logistics solution tailored specifically to the unique needs of a vintage clothing retailer:

1. Specialized inventory management: Implementing systems designed to track unique, one-of-a-kind items with detailed attributes and condition notes
2. Custom packaging solutions: Developing packaging that protects delicate vintage fabrics while maintaining the brand's aesthetic
3. Integration with eCommerce platform: Seamless connection with Frankly Retro's online store ensuring real-time inventory updates and order processing
4. Transparent tracking and reporting: Providing both the Frankly Retro team and their customers with clear visibility into order status and delivery timelines
5. Climate-controlled storage: Ensuring proper preservation of vintage materials in appropriate environmental conditions
6. Scalable operations: Flexible staffing and warehouse space allocation to accommodate growth and seasonal fluctuations

The centrally located warehouse in Cincinnati, Ohio has been particularly valuable, enabling 2-day ground shipping to approximately 75% of the U.S. population. This strategic location has been instrumental in reducing shipping costs while improving delivery speed.

Lessons for Other eCommerce Brands in the Apparel Space

The successful partnership between Frankly Retro and Frankly Fulfillment offers several key lessons for other eCommerce brands considering 3PL partnerships:

1. Seek industry-specific expertise: Frankly Fulfillment's experience with apparel logistics provided value beyond generic fulfillment services. When selecting a 3PL partner, prioritize those with specific experience in your product category.
2. Transparency drives efficiency: The "crystal clear" approach to fulfillment has eliminated miscommunications and allowed for proactive problem-solving. Look for 3PL partners who prioritize visibility and communication.
3. Location matters: The strategic warehouse location has been a competitive advantage for Frankly Retro. Consider your customer distribution and select 3PL partners with optimally located facilities.
4. Scalability enables growth: The flexible capacity provided by Frankly Fulfillment has removed operational constraints, allowing Frankly Retro to focus on marketing and product sourcing. Ensure your 3PL can grow with your business.

Is Frankly Fulfillment Right for Your Business?

While Frankly Fulfillment has been an excellent match for Frankly Retro, eCommerce businesses should consider several factors when evaluating if they're the right partner:

• Business size and order volume: Frankly Fulfillment is particularly well-suited for small to mid-sized eCommerce businesses looking to scale.
• Product type: Their expertise in apparel, beauty, health, home goods, and merchandise makes them ideal for these categories.
• Geographic considerations: With their Cincinnati location, they offer excellent coverage for nationwide shipping with a central U.S. distribution point.
• Technology needs: Their systems are designed to integrate with major eCommerce platforms, making them suitable for businesses using standard online selling tools.
• Budget constraints: Their transparent pricing model works well for businesses seeking predictable fulfillment costs.

Not sure if Frankly Fulfillment or another 3PL is right for your specific needs? Consider using a matchmaking service to find the perfect fulfillment partner based on your unique requirements, product type, location, and budget.

Final Thoughts: The Impact of Strategic Fulfillment on Brand Growth

The partnership between Frankly Retro and Frankly Fulfillment illustrates how the right 3PL relationship can be transformative for an eCommerce brand. By outsourcing logistics to a specialized partner, Frankly Retro has been able to focus on their core competencies – sourcing unique vintage pieces and building their brand – while providing customers with the fast, reliable shipping experience they expect from modern eCommerce companies.

For vintage clothing retailers and other apparel businesses facing similar challenges, the lesson is clear: strategic fulfillment isn't just a back-end operational concern; it's a critical component of customer experience and brand reputation. As Frankly Retro continues to grow, their partnership with Frankly Fulfillment provides the scalable foundation needed to support their expanding business while maintaining the quality and customer satisfaction that built their reputation.

Whether you're dealing with vintage items or any other specialized product category, finding a 3PL partner who understands your unique needs can be the difference between stagnation and successful growth. Consider exploring options through a 3PL matchmaking service to find your ideal logistics partner.