Consumer Goods & Retail Logistics

Most consumer goods are manufactured overseas and shipped to the United States. The consumer goods logistics process starts at manufacturing and doesn’t end until that product hits the shelves at a local retailer. To begin, large shipping containers are floor-loaded from top to bottom in order to maximize efficiency and space. From there the goods are shipped overseas. When they hit the U.S. they are typically put on a train and sent to a distribution center. At the distribution center, they are unloaded, sorted, and put into storage. Distribution centers (DC) can be run by the retailer themselves, or as is more and more common, by a third party such as Murphy Logistics. Once in the DC, products can be ordered and sent to the store level in a number of different ways. Murphy is adept at handling all of these.

When a retailer needs a specific quantity of a product, they can’t typically afford the cost or trouble of purchasing and storing more than that quantity. This is where custom distribution in retail logistics comes into play. In custom distribution, stores can order items to be shipped on a full pallet basis, or they can have cases picked or case packs broken down into smaller quantities to meet their current needs. Murphy has the ability to fulfill this need, whatever the order size. Murphy’s robust inventory management system allows us to store, track, and deliver products in any quantity needed. This complex consumer goods warehousing process takes space and equipment.

While stores having large back rooms with overstock items was normal as recently as 10 years ago, things have changed. Today, many retailers opt to keep a smaller number of items available in the store and a large number of items in a distribution center nearby. This practice gives store owners and managers the flexibility to utilize more floor space for other things, such as item displays. Because they know they can simply and quickly order what they need and have those items shipped in from the nearby distribution center as needed, they are able to operate leaner while still keeping their shelves stocked.

Murphy’s inventory management solutions have become a trusted part of daily operations for many businesses near our DCs. This aspect of consumer goods logistics is allowing more and more businesses to control their inventory with confidence, without the overhead of extra storage space and employees.

Murphy offers seamless coordination between distribution centers, transportation teams, and retail endpoints thanks to our use of the Camelot WMS platform. This powerful software supports real-time visibility, barcode scanning, and unit-level tracking of the entire consumer goods supply chain. Retailers who use our services benefit from complete oversight of their product flow to reduce errors, shrinkage, and stockouts. Our data-driven systems enable clients to make quicker, more informed decisions in response to changing demand patterns.

In the world of retail logistics, building custom displays and filling them with products that appeal to customers in the retail shopping experience is a specialized service. Murphy Logistics is well versed in this aspect of logistics, with employees who are highly trained and experienced to set up displays to meet our customer’s exact specifications. For your retail logistics needs, our capabilities include pre-loading products into custom displays so they are ready for the retail floor, or we can ship household products separately and load them on-site. Either way, the Murphy team is prepared to help see your consumer goods through to the endpoint where the money is made.

This concept can carry different meanings, but in general, it involves the storage and movement of products in a warehouse owned by a third-party consumer goods logistics company. For most retailers, which carry thousands of products, having a centralized location for this aspect of supply logistics for consumer goods is vital to their success. With so many products available to the average consumer these days, from clothing to toys or tools to small appliances, there is a need for organization and accuracy.

Murphy Logistics works with retailers to store and deliver all of their various brands and product types as needed so they never have to face empty shelves and dissatisfied customers. Our retail logistics team oversees the products at a distribution center, and when called upon, pulls and delivers the desired inventory to the store in need. This applies whether there is a single store location or multiple locations spread across a larger geographical area. Murphy Logistics has a team of experienced, highly skilled warehouse employees ready to take care of your inventory needs.

From receiving to storage and distribution, Murphy Logistics offers complete solutions for your retail logistics needs. Our experienced team of professionals at Murphy Logistics has the knowledge to ensure your retail store operates smoothly and efficiently. Reach out to discuss your unique needs with our team and begin ensuring the future success of your consumer goods logistics.