7 Best Fulfilment Companies in the UK (2024)

Where does the UK rank in the global e-commerce scene? As the third-largest player in the world, the UK is set to expand further and reach $169.49 billion by 2024. 

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Now, consider this: 85% of online shoppers won’t buy again from a brand after a disappointing delivery experience. Moreover, customers are increasingly demanding quicker and cheaper deliveries (78% prefer to receive their orders within two days). 

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What does this tell us? Efficient order fulfilment and carrier selection play a huge role in e-commerce success. Selecting the right fulfilment company is vital to stay competitive in the market and meet customer’s expectations. 

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By considering factors such as fulfilment centre location, pricing, technology, and sustainability commitments, you can find the perfect fit for your needs. We've curated a list of the top 7 UK fulfilment companies in 2024 to simplify this process!

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Seven best e-commerce fulfilment companies UK 

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1. Bigblue - Best overall and ideal for expanding brands across Europe

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Bigblue is a fulfilment company that offers end-to-end e-commerce and omnichannel fulfilment services, including warehousing, picking, packing, and shipping B2C and B2B orders to customers globally. 

Clients in the UK, such as Clothes Doctor, Serious Tissues, and London Luna, benefit from our expertise in expanding their brands across European markets.

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Key features 

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• 8 warehouses in France, Spain, and the UK for quicker and more affordable European delivery
• A user-friendly dashboard and real-time tracking of inventory and orders 
• Optimisation of shipping options with a smart carrier algorithm
• Pickup point app for Shopify store
• Sustainable practices for greener logistics: eco-friendly shipping choices, plastic-free packaging, algorithms to optimise packaging and minimise address errors
• Pre-built integrations with popular platforms like Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Amazon, PrestaShop, Klaviyo, Zendesk, Gorgias, Fastmag, Fnac, Slack, etc.
• Enhancement of customer experience with dynamic delivery dates, accurate ETAs, and branded unboxing experiences
• Simplification of the returns process for enhanced customer satisfaction

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Pricing 

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Our tiered pricing plans cater to a wide range of businesses, from small e-commerce brands with 500 orders a month to large omnichannel brands with +20k orders a month. Our model offers usage-based buyer experience features such as tracking email and returns management.

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2. Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) - Ideal for high-volume sales of small, low-value items

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Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon): Amazon FBA is a service provided by Amazon where sellers can store their products in Amazon's fulfilment centres.

Amazon then picks, packs, ships, and provides customer service for these products. This service benefits sellers from Amazon's extensive fulfilment network and customer base.

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Key features 

• An extensive network of Amazon’s 175 fulfilment centres
• Tap into Amazon's vast Prime customer network
• Inventory management and monitoring sales performance
• Fast shipping options including Prime's two-day delivery

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Pricing

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Amazon charges different fees including inventory storage fees based on space used, monthly sellers' plans with individual ($0.75/item +VAT) or professional ($25/month + other fees) options based on sales volumes.

Referral fees (starting at £0.25 per item sold, varying by category) and FBA fulfilment fees (product size/weight-dependent) also apply. Additionally, be prepared for additional fees including aged inventory, long-term storage, returns, and guideline violations.

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3. Bezos.ai - Suitable for small to medium businesses

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Bezos.ai offers comprehensive end-to-end e-commerce fulfilment services for small and medium businesses, including inventory management, order processing, and customisable returns solutions.

They cater to various business needs, from direct-to-consumer and B2B to Amazon FBA preparation, with specialised centres for different product types. 

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Key features

• Extensive network of distribution centres and fulfilment hubs in the UK and 16 additional countries
• Integrations with +30 e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Shopify, and BigCommerce
• Real-time data tracking and reporting tools
• Customisable branding options for packaging and shipping materials

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Pricing

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Bezos.ai states that their fulfilment fees begin at £3.18 for standard delivery, £3.50 for next-day delivery, and £6.92 for zero-emissions delivery. Storage fees are approximately £3.20 per cubic metre per week. 

Additionally, a software subscription of around £149 per month is required to use their technology. It's important to note that prices may vary based on package size, weight, and final destination. 

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4. James and James - Specialised in light-weight products

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James and James is a UK 3PL provider offering fulfilment services for businesses with as few as 150 monthly orders.

Their scalable solution caters to growing businesses, with cloud-based software providing real-time stock and dispatch updates.

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Key features 

• Specialisation in light-weight, fast-moving products
• Comprehensive service covering everything from storage to final mile delivery
• Seamless integration with leading e-commerce platforms
• User-friendly dashboard featuring live updates on orders and inventory
• Premium packaging solutions with custom and box designs 
• Automated processes enhance efficiency and reduce human error
• Strategic location near major transport links allows quick despatch times

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Pricing

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James & James fulfilment fees are not explicitly stated on their website. But we know it is divided into fulfilment service, centre, and order fulfilment costs.

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5. Bleckmann - Specialised in fashion and lifestyle industries

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Founded in 1862, Bleckmann has transitioned from a regional logistics provider to a global entity.

They offers freight forwarding, logistics, and distribution solutions, primarily servicing the fashion and lifestyle industries.

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Key features

• Strong expertise in fashion, lifestyle, and sports apparel industries
• Global presence spanning Europe, America, Asia, and Australia
• Different freight options: sea, air, railroad, and road 
• Sustainable and socially responsible practices
• Personalisation and in-house photo studio
• Full range of omnichannel fulfilment services
• Dedicated account managers 

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Pricing 

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Bleckmann does not share their prices on their website. Like others, Bleckmann likes to work closely with clients to create personalised packages that meet their needs.

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6. Zendbox - Focus on stock management with AI

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Zendbox is an e-commerce 3PL fulfilment provider that manages tasks from order processing to returns. The company was founded by James Khoury, who sought to address the fulfilment challenges he encountered in his e-commerce ventures.

Zendbox strives to minimise errors and optimise stock allocation by leveraging AI technology for intelligent inventory management.

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Key features 

• Cross-border fulfilment capabilities, allowing businesses to expand internationally
• Global warehouse locations, enabling efficient and fast deliveries worldwide
• Integration with major online marketplaces and websites
• Smart inventory management
• Premium packaging and branding options for unboxing
• Sustainability focus with environmentally friendly practices

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Pricing

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Zendbox offers customised fulfilment proposals tailored to your specific needs. The fees depend on order volume and include warehousing, picking and packing, shipping, integration, support, returns, and value-added services.

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7. Huboo - Ideal for small businesses 

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Huboo, a UK-based fulfilment company, caters primarily to small businesses handling low-volume order fulfilment.

Employing an innovative 'hub model' system, Huboo efficiently manages stock by segmenting warehouses into individually-operated units.

This unique approach enables competitive pricing and direct communication with your designated 'hub' manager, offering valuable insights into your stock management processes.

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Main features

• Real-time inventory tracking on their online platform
• Integration with leading platforms and marketplaces
• Support for various sales channels, ERPs, and couriers
• Multiple UK, European and US fulfilment warehouses
• Custom packaging options 
• Returns processing, inventory restocking and platform to track

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Pricing

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Subscriptions start at £50 for businesses that dispatch a maximum of 300 units per month, and cap at £450 per month for up to 5,000 units. Storage fees vary from 6p to £1.15, while packaging costs range from 35p to £3.39.

Huboo offers two types of services for shipping items: a partially tracked service by a third party courier and a fully end-to-end tracking service. The rates for individual items start from £1.36 up to £9.56. These fees include receiving, picking, packing, and delivery/courier costs.

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2. Essential features for a fulfilment company 

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Finding the right third-party logistics (3PL) partner is essential for e-commerce merchants striving for growth and operational excellence. Drawing from industry expertise, we've outlined key attributes that distinguish top-tier fulfilment service providers:

• Ideal e-commerce fulfilment providers strategically situated centrally located warehouses near dominant consumer demographics
• Sophisticated inventory management to closely monitor supply levels aligned with sales velocities and seasonal shifts
• Lightning-quick order picking ensures minimal latency from request origination to item retrieval
• Thoughtful parcel construction deploys adequate protective material, accurately weighs consignments, and combines shipments when feasible
• A variety of shipping options caters to diverse expectations regarding delivery durations and associated expenses
• Streamlined returns coordination includes predefined approval stages, evaluation criteria, and updated inventory records
• Comprehensive platform integration allows automatic syncing, flags missing transactions, and prevents potential fraud
• Easy-to-navigate customer portals facilitate self-service configurations, real-time tracking, and archived transaction reviews

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In summary, as the UK's e-commerce industry thrives and consumer expectations rise, selecting the right fulfilment partner becomes crucial for any e-commerce business. 

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With the market projected to reach £169.49 billion by 2024, businesses must navigate a landscape where fast, reliable, and sustainable fulfilment solutions are essential. 

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This curated list of top fulfilment centres in the UK offers a wide range of services, including same-day delivery, transparent pricing, and dedicated account managers, ensuring a seamless fulfilment process for businesses of all sizes. 

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E-commerce businesses can make customers happier, save money on shipping, and improve their operations instantly by using order fulfilment services. These services can be connected to e-commerce platforms and sales channels. It allows for a seamless process that benefits both the business and the customer.

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Bigblue is your one-stop fulfilment solution for efficient and scalable e-commerce logistics. From strategically placed warehouses across Europe to smart shipping algorithms and eco-friendly packaging, we optimise every step. Reduce costs, improve efficiency, and delight customers with faster deliveries and a seamless experience. Get a quote today and see how Bigblue can transform your e-commerce business.

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