Expanding Your Apparel Brand? Here’s How a 3PL Can Help

Katherine Wroth • February 25, 2025
while on earth apparel 3PL

Are you struggling to keep up with order fulfillment for your apparel brand? Or are you just beginning to explore third-party logistics to see if it aligns with your business goals?


Either way, this guide is for you.


Managing order fulfillment in the apparel industry—online or in physical stores—comes with many challenges. Warehousing, packing, shipping, logistics, returns, tracking and customs clearance require significant time and resources.


With limited hours in the day, handling all these aspects yourself can quickly become overwhelming (and that’s probably why you’re here). Hiring additional staff may help, but it also increases operational expenses and can complicate supply chain efficiency.


The Solution: Partnering with a Trusted 3PL


Barrett Distribution specializes in handling logistics and fulfillment operations for top apparel retailers and manufacturers. Outsourcing fulfillment to a trusted 3PL partner like Barrett saves costs and enhances efficiency.


This guide will break down the key benefits of working with a 3PL provider and how to choose the best one for your needs.



Understanding 3PL in Apparel Fulfillment

A 3PL provider manages your inventory’s storage, fulfillment and distribution. This includes warehousing, order picking, packing and shipping. Many 3PLs also handle customer service and returns.


Why should you outsource apparel fulfillment instead of managing it in-house?


  1. Cost Efficiency – You pay only for processed orders instead of maintaining a full-time logistics team.
  2. Improved Fulfillment Processes – Faster, more reliable order fulfillment enhances customer satisfaction.


Let’s explore how 3PLs work and why they are game-changers for apparel businesses like yours.



How Does a 3PL Work?

While 3PL services can support a wide range of industries, here’s how they work specifically for apparel brands:


Step 1: Choosing a 3PL Partner


Selecting the right 3PL is a critical process. The provider you choose will integrate into your operations and support your long-term growth.


Keep in mind that 3PL services differ from freight forwarding or on-demand warehousing. Understanding these differences will help you make a more informed decision.


Step 2: Sending Your Inventory


Once you’ve chosen a 3PL provider, you’ll send them your inventory for warehousing. This ensures order fulfillment begins as soon as a customer makes a purchase.


Step 3: Storing Inventory


Your 3PL partner will store your inventory in strategically located warehouses for easy retrieval and shipping. This optimizes fulfillment speed and reduces delivery times.


Step 4: Order Picking and Packing


When a customer places an order, the fulfillment process begins. The item ordered is retrieved from storage, packed securely and prepared for shipping.


Depending on your provider, this process may be managed manually or with advanced inventory software for greater speed and accuracy.


Step 5: Shipping


After an order is packed, it is shipped to the customer. Some 3PL providers handle shipping directly, while others partner with major carriers.


Confirming your 3PL’s shipping capabilities is important before signing a contract.


Step 6: Handling Returns


Returns are an inevitable part of e-commerce. Many 3PL providers offer reverse logistics solutions to manage returns efficiently and maintain customer satisfaction.



Benefits of Using Barrett Distribution for Apparel Fulfillment

Is investing in a 3PL the right move for your business? The answer is YES. Here’s why:


1. Increased Efficiency


Managing an apparel business requires focusing on design, marketing and customer engagement. Offloading logistics allows you to concentrate on these core areas without being bogged down by operational details.


2. Cost Savings


Maintaining warehouses, shipping fleets and logistics infrastructure can be expensive. Barrett reduces these costs by leveraging existing infrastructure and volume discounts on shipping.


Minimizing shipping errors and optimizing order fulfillment can also help reduce costly mistakes and returns.


3. Scalability


As your business grows, so do your logistics needs. Barrett currently operates 25+ facilities across the United States. With over 6 million square feet of space specifically designed for warehousing, distribution, transportation and omnichannel eCommerce fulfillment, Barrett will scale your brand to ensure success.


 Barrett has over 80+ years of 3PL expertise and the resources to scale operations up or down based on demand, allowing you to expand without significant overhead costs.



When Should You Consider a 3PL?

Not every business needs a 3PL, but if any of the following apply, it may be time to explore outsourcing your logistics:


  • You’re fulfilling 10+ orders per day – Managing fulfillment in-house may become too time-consuming and costly.
  • You’re expanding and scaling operations – A 3PL can simplify shipping and customs management.
  • You need faster shipping options – Two-day shipping has become an industry standard, and Barrett has the infrastructure to meet these expectations efficiently.



Choosing the Right 3PL for Your Apparel Business

Not all 3PLs are created equally. Some offer broad logistics solutions, while others, like Barrett, specialize in apparel and fashion fulfillment. When evaluating providers, consider:


  • Technology Integration – Ensure the 3PL can integrate with your e-commerce platform for real-time inventory tracking and order processing.
  • Warehouse Locations – Choose a provider with fulfillment centers close to your customer base to reduce shipping times and costs.
  • Scalability – The 3PL should be able to accommodate your business growth.
  • Return Management – A provider with strong reverse logistics capabilities will improve your customer experience.



Barrett Distribution: Your Trusted 3PL Partner Since 1941

Are you looking for a trusted 3PL partner for your apparel business? Barrett offers personalized fulfillment solutions designed to help you scale and succeed.


Contact us today to receive a complimentary supply chain consultation.

Recent Blog Posts

By Faith Artieda July 10, 2026
FRANKLIN, Mass., June 8, 2026 — ºÚÁÏÍø911 , a leading third-party logistics provider specializing in eCommerce fulfillment, announced a new partnership with RateFit , a Chicago-based athleisure brand under the Rate.com family of companies. “From the beginning, Barrett demonstrated the experience and capabilities we were looking for in a fulfillment partner,” said Jenny Sepulveda, president of RateFit. "During our visit, we were impressed by the scale of Barrett's operations and the team's ability to support our long-term growth plans. As we launch, it was important to find a fulfillment partner with apparel expertise, room to scale and the flexibility to support future value-added services." RateFit is a new business under the Rate.com umbrella. Inspired by the concept of living the 'Rate Life,' the brand offers an athleisure collection designed to transition seamlessly from recreational activities to everyday wear. “We’re super excited that the RateFit team chose Barrett to help launch their new brand,” said Harrison Smith , director, 3PL pricing and contract analytics at Barrett. “It’s been a pleasure working with Jenny and Mia throughout this process. With their passion and expertise in the space, I have no doubt it will become one of the leaders in the athleisure market, and we’re thrilled they trusted Barrett to be part of their journey.” RateFit is now live at one of Barrett’s Memphis, Tenn., fulfillment facilities, where Barrett provides direct-to-consumer fulfillment and parcel shipping services. The partnership supports the launch of RateFit’s which offers versatile apparel designed for everyday life from the studio to the office, coffee, and everything in between. Barrett’s fulfillment capabilities will help the brand efficiently serve customers nationwide as it scales its direct-to-consumer business. Barrett's Memphis operation is part of a nationwide fulfillment network supporting high-growth consumer brands across multiple industries. About RateFit RateFit is a Chicago-based athleisure brand under the Rate.com family of companies. Inspired by a wellness-focused lifestyle, the company offers versatile apparel designed for everyday life from the studio to office, coffee, and everything in between. Its collection combines performance, comfort and style to support consumers both on and off the course. About ºÚÁÏÍø911 Since 1941, Barrett has provided customized third-party logistics (3PL), direct-to-consumer (DTC) eCommerce fulfillment, omnichannel distribution, managed transportation solutions and retail compliance for clients across all industries, with a focus on apparel & footwear, health & beauty, consumer packaged goods (CPG) and education. Barrett continues to be a leading 3rd party logistics provider in North America, known for superior execution, customer engagement and direct access to senior leadership decision makers. As a member of Inc's fastest growing companies list 15+ times, Barrett is big enough to do the job and still small enough to deeply care about your business. Brands interested in a new 3PL partnership may contact Barrett directly here . Official Release Here Media Contact: Faith Artieda Marketing Content Specialist Faith.artieda@barrettdistribution.com
By Faith Artieda July 9, 2026
Your ecommerce business is thriving. Orders are flowing in through your Shopify store, Amazon sales continue to climb, and then it happens—you land your biggest opportunity yet: a purchase order from a major retailer like Walmart, Target, or Costco. It's the kind of milestone every growing brand works toward. But for many businesses, it's also where fulfillment becomes significantly more complicated. Suddenly, you're managing multiple sales channels, each with its own shipping requirements, inventory demands, compliance standards, and customer expectations. What worked when you were shipping directly to consumers may no longer be enough to support retail distribution. This is where omnichannel fulfillment becomes essential. In the first episode of Inside Barrett with Faith Artieda , Barrett's Senior Vice President of Customer Solutions, Scott Hothem , explained that omnichannel fulfillment isn't simply about shipping products through multiple channels—it's about having the operational expertise to manage every channel successfully while maintaining a consistent customer experience. More Than Shipping Orders Many people assume omnichannel fulfillment simply means offering multiple ways for customers to buy products. While that's true from the consumer's perspective, the logistics behind those purchases are entirely different. A customer placing an order on your website expects fast, accurate delivery to their front door. That order may include just one or two items that need to be individually picked, packed, and shipped. A retailer, on the other hand, might place a purchase order for thousands of units. Those shipments often require palletization, retailer-specific labels, advance shipment notifications (ASNs), routing guide compliance, scheduled delivery appointments, and strict packaging requirements. Missing even one requirement can result in costly chargebacks or delayed deliveries. "The channels are very, very different," Scott explained during the interview. "How you manage inventory is different. Those retailers often want unique SKUs that you don't sell on your primary direct-to-consumer website." Although both orders originate from the same inventory, they require completely different operational workflows. Growth Creates Complexity For many brands, expanding into retail feels like the natural next step—but it also introduces new challenges. Inventory must remain synchronized across every sales channel. Technology systems need to communicate seamlessly. Customer expectations continue to rise, and retailers demand near-perfect compliance. Without the right fulfillment strategy, brands can quickly become overwhelmed. That's why Scott believes the role of a 3PL extends far beyond storing inventory and shipping packages. At Barrett, the goal is to help brands navigate these transitions before they become problems. Whether a company is launching its first retail partnership or rapidly scaling its ecommerce business, Barrett works alongside customers to build fulfillment solutions that evolve with their growth—not solutions they'll outgrow in a year or two. As Scott put it during the interview, Barrett strives to become a brand's " forever 3PL " by supporting customers through every stage of their journey. Omnichannel Is About Visibility, Flexibility, and Partnership Successful omnichannel fulfillment requires much more than warehouse capacity. It depends on real-time inventory visibility, seamless technology integrations, retail compliance expertise, transportation management, and a fulfillment operation capable of adapting as customer demand changes. It also requires a logistics partner that understands your business well enough to anticipate challenges before they impact your customers. That's the approach Barrett has taken for more than 80 years. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all fulfillment model, Barrett designs customized omnichannel solutions that allow brands to manage direct-to-consumer, wholesale, marketplace, and retail fulfillment through a single, integrated operation. With expertise in retail compliance, transportation management, value-added services, and advanced warehouse technology, Barrett helps brands simplify complex supply chains while preparing for future growth. Looking Ahead Today's consumers don't think about fulfillment channels—they simply expect their orders to arrive on time, regardless of where they made the purchase. For brands, meeting those expectations requires more than great products. It requires a fulfillment strategy built to support every channel, every customer, and every stage of growth. As Scott shared in Inside Barrett , the right 3PL doesn't just help you fulfill today's orders. It helps prepare your business for tomorrow's opportunities. And that's what omnichannel fulfillment is really all about.
By Faith Artieda July 7, 2026
Switching third-party logistics (3PL) providers isn't a decision most businesses take lightly. It requires time, planning, and trust. But staying with the wrong partner can cost even more—through missed shipments, unhappy customers, and lost opportunities for growth. So how do you know when it's time to make a change? One of the biggest signs is when your 3PL starts holding your business back instead of helping it move forward. Maybe customer service has become difficult to reach, order accuracy has declined, or you're constantly following up on issues that should have been resolved proactively. Your fulfillment partner should give you confidence, not create more work for your team.  Growth is another common reason brands switch providers. A 3PL that worked well when you were shipping a few hundred orders each week may not have the systems, technology, or expertise to support new retail partnerships, higher order volumes, or omnichannel fulfillment. As your business evolves, your logistics partner should evolve with it. It's also worth evaluating how your 3PL approaches the relationship. Do they take the time to understand your goals and recommend improvements, or are they simply processing orders? The best providers act as an extension of your business, offering strategic guidance, transparent communication, and solutions designed to support long-term success. At ºÚÁÏÍø911, we believe a successful partnership starts long before the first shipment leaves the warehouse. That's why we invest time upfront to understand each customer's business, design a customized fulfillment strategy, and build solutions that can scale as your company grows. Rather than focusing on short-term transactions, our goal is to become a long-term logistics partner that supports your business through every stage of growth. If your current 3PL is creating more challenges than solutions, it may be time to ask whether they're still the right fit. The best fulfillment partner isn't just the one that ships your orders—it's the one that helps your business grow with confidence.
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