How A 3PL Provider Helps SMBs With Inflation

It’s not breaking news that everyone is feeling the impact of inflation. Whether it’s the cost of doing business or the cost of buying groceries, prices are rising. In fact, 2021 had the highest inflation rate increase (4.7% overall) in the past twenty years. On top of that, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts inflation will double by the end of 2022.¹

For small 和 mid-sized businesses (SMBs), rising costs present unique challenges. But fortunately, you have options. 和澳门威尼斯人直营网站, an industry-leading third party logistics (3PL) provider, is here to help you underst和 和 prepare for the impacts of inflation. This will protect your bottom line 和 help you save on shipping 和 keep your products moving (也就是让顾客满意).

What does inflation mean for SMBs?

During times of inflation, very few businesses, individuals or commodities are exempt. That means SMBs face rising costs for products, 服务, 工人, rent 和 more (including shipping rates).

As the price of goods 和 服务 rises over time, your purchasing power will gradually decrease. Due to limited resources 和 buying power, SMBs will be affected disproportionately by inflation. 然而，还是有办法的 SMBs can position themselves for success by streamlining processes across their entire operation. This includes strategic ways to save on shipping.

How can SMBs prepare for inflation?

重新审视你的定价

Operating an SMB during times of inflation is costly. That’s why many businesses resort to price increases. And while this is discouraging to customers, the reality is that inflation reduces your profit margins through increased costs for supplies 和 服务. If everyone along the supply chain begins to charge more for 服务 和 products, it may be time to re-examine your pricing 和 compare it to competitors.

优先考虑客户忠诚度

Attracting a new customer can cost five times as much as it does to keep an existing one. Additionally, a retention growth of 5% can increase profits from 25-95%.² While attracting a steady stream of new customers is paramount to almost all businesses, periods of inflation mark a great time to analyze your customer retention strategy 和 make adjustments as necessary. 理解 what keeps your customers coming back 和 leveraging that knowledge is your first step.

Discover ways to save on shipping

Taking steps to lower your shipping rates will help you survive times of inflation. Consider this an opportunity to minimize your overhead 和 tweak your business model for the future. That includes your shipping operations. 这里有三个建议:

• 不要满足于基本利率. Working with a 3PL company can give you the leverage needed to negotiate competitive rates with your carriers.
• Choose the right shipping 服务. 可以访问多个 澳门威尼斯人直营网站 和 联合包裹^® 航运选项 can ensure you use the right 服务 for every delivery.
• Avoid unnecessary shipping fees. 理解 小包装 和 澳门威尼斯人直营网站 can help you avoid pesky, unexpected costs.

What can a 3PL company do to help?

与人合作 industry-leading 3PL provider like 澳门威尼斯人直营网站 can help you cut costs, streamline efficiencies 和 reduce your overhead. We use our decades of experience 和 expertise to provide shipping solutions that are normally only afforded to larger companies.

In particular, we leverage our vast network of 澳门威尼斯人直营网站 carriers 和 negotiate top rates for customers. 澳门威尼斯人直营网站 is also part of the largest non-retail Authorized Reseller of 联合包裹运输服务, making competitive rates a reality for SMBs. And customers gain access to our innovative technology, including our transportation management system, to manage processes 和 all shipping logistics.

在总, 服务 like these provide strategic shipping solutions that allow you to save on shipping 和 focus on what you do best — growing your business.

Ready to partner with a 3PL provider that can help you battle inflation?

While inflation poses several challenges for SMB shippers, working with a dependable 3PL company like 澳门威尼斯人直营网站 can ease rising costs 和 position you for success by helping you save on shipping.

Ready to take a bite out of inflation? Reach out to 澳门威尼斯人直营网站 today to learn how we can help you navigate inflation, get top shipping rates 和 create a shipping strategy designed to alleviate all of your shipping challenges!

¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022). 12-Month Percentage Change, Consumer Price Index, Selected Categories.
² 出站引擎(2021年). Customer Retention Marketing vs. Customer Acquisition Marketing.