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Growing in the on-line marketplace: the power of dropshipping
Boost on-line sales by leveraging dropshipping in the kit furniture industry. Find out how it works and all the benefits in store for you.
Dropshipping is reformulating the furniture e-commerce landscape, offering retailers a straightforward and profitable strategy.
This article illustrates how dropshipping is transforming logistics and business dynamics, including in the furniture industry.
The ready-to-assemble furniture market is growing non-stop and dropshipping is proving to be the ideal solution for retailers looking to offer an extensive range of products without having to manage a large inventory.
We will explore the challenges and opportunities of this strategy, as well as the benefits in store for retailers, such as reduced inventory costs and reduced financial risk.
Find out with us how dropshipping can help boost efficiency, curtail delivery times and enable greater flexibility, both in terms of product and shipping, all for the benefit of your kit furnishing business.
What exactly is dropshipping?
Dropshipping is a veritable revolution in the world of on-line sales and e-commerce. This new way of doing business is driving significant changes in how companies manage their inventory, meet customer demand and streamline delivery processes.
Selling without owning is the heart of dropshipping:
retailers work directly with suppliers, avoiding the management of a warehouse and traditional inventory.
When a customer places an order, the retailer forwards the request to the supplier, who takes care of everything, from production to shipping, which can even be direct to the end customer (if they opt for total dropshipping).
Dropshipping offers the ability to make a wide range of products available and focus on sales and customer satisfaction without the complexities of organising the shipping.
This way, the order preparation process, as well as the logistics organisation (often considered to be one of the most complex stages of the sales process) will be easier and above all speedier.
There are two types of dropshipping:
- In partial dropshipping, it is the seller who arranges shipments from the supplier to the end consumer
- In total dropshipping, the supplier is also responsible for shipping the product directly to the end customer.
How does dropshipping work?
The dropshipping process entails a variety of phases. We can break these down into seven simple steps:
- Supplier selection: the first step is to identify reliable suppliers to offer outstanding products and services, for optimum collaboration
- On-line store creation: the retailer creates a virtual showcase or e-commerce platform
- Product publication: the suppliers’ products are uploaded with all the information available, including detailed descriptions, images and prices, with the aim of informing the end consumer as thoroughly as possible
- Promotion and marketing: retailers can focus on their digital marketing strategies, such as website optimisation, content creation and special offers
- Receipt of orders: when a customer places an order through the retailer’s on-line store, all the latter has to do is send the order on to the corresponding supplier
- Shipping management: the supplier prepares and ships the product as per the dropshipper’s instructions
- Customer service: the retailer is responsible for customer service, including issues such as returns or replacements, but always cooperates with the supplier to resolve any issues related to the products
This process allows retailers to offer an extensive selection of products, while maintaining a low initial investment and focusing on their marketing.
What are the benefits of dropshipping?
Dropshipping is the ideal solution if you want to start an on-line business without having to deal with the financial and logistical costs associated with purchasing inventory.
This is why dropshipping has become an appealing business model for many on-line entrepreneurs.
What are the benefits of dropshipping?
- Minimal upfront investment: unlike a traditional business model where you need to purchase inventory in advance, dropshipping allows retailers to start off with a very small investment
- Extensive range of products: dropshipping allows retailers to offer a broad range of products without having to actually stock them. This means you can expand your product line-up without the physical space limitations
- Simplified management: activities such as inventory management, shipping, and other logistics operations are managed by the suppliers. This allows retailers to focus on website management, marketing activities and customer care
- Reduced risk: retailers can avoid the risk of stocking unsold products because they only buy at the time of order
- Speedy delivery: dropshipping, by nature, speeds up delivery times. This allows end customers to receive their orders swiftly and at home
Dropshipping in the furniture industry
Dropshipping has proven to be an effective business model in the furniture industry too, where furniture requires considerable storage space.
In the field of kit furniture, dropshipping offers a unique opportunity to expand the product portfolio by optimising warehouse space and reducing operating costs, while improving profitability.
Secondly, dropshipping allows retailers to offer a broad range of products without having to actually stock them. This means they can expand their product line-up without the physical space limitations.
In the furniture industry, this means being able to offer a more extensive array of furniture, styles and finishes.
This option proves even more useful in the world of e-commerce.
If you manage or work in a furniture e-commerce business, you know that you need to buy large quantities of furniture and offer a wide range of products.
Warehouse and logistics management can therefore become a barrier to your business growth if you’re not already working with a partner who allows you to expand your portfolio and test your products, with a contained upfront investment.
That’s why offering compelling products with a fast and reliable logistics service can be just the right mix for a successful on-line business.
Dropshipping with Web Furniture
Choosing Web Furniture as your dropshipping partner paves the way towards new opportunities in this industry.
If you’re on the look-out for reliable dropshipping suppliers, Web Furniture can help you meet your customers’ needs in a flexible and efficient way.
Our partnership is built on trust, reliability and transparency.
We’re here to simplify your inventory management and help you with fast, on-time shipments.
That’s why the largest European e-commerce businesses in the industry have chosen Web Furniture as their logistics partner.
Our impressive experience makes us e-commerce ready and eager to accompany you and support you in growing your business.
How so?
Tested packaging to minimise breakage and return requests, daily inventory sharing to keep track of article availability, detailed data and useful product information: these are just some examples of how we assist our partners day after day.
Do you need a customized logistics service for your business?
Check out all of our included and additional services or contact us for more information
