Distribution centers are the heart of modern fulfillment. Whether you’re a 3PL operator scaling operations or an e-commerce brand shipping DTC orders in-house, your supply list of distribution centers supplies can quietly make or break efficiency.

From packing stations to labeling systems, let’s examine the essential supplies every distribution center needs and how the right tools support faster, smarter fulfillment.

What Are Distribution Center Supplies?

At a basic level, “distribution center supplies” refers to the physical tools, equipment, and materials used to move, pack, and ship products within a warehouse or fulfillment center.

This includes:

Supplies aren’t just about what’s on your shelves — they’re about maintaining flow.

3 Core Supply Categories to Get Right

1. Packing & Shipping Materials

These are your frontline tools for order accuracy, protection, and brand presentation.

🧠 Pro tip: Invest in a label printer that doesn’t require ink cartridges (like a thermal printer) to reduce cost and downtime.

2. Equipment That Speeds Up Fulfillment

Supplies aren’t just consumables. They include tools that help your team move faster, safer, and more accurately.

3. Safety and Efficiency Tools

These often get overlooked, but they reduce accidents and fatigue while keeping your operation flowing.

What to Avoid

Not every supply choice is a smart one. Here’s what we recommend skipping:

Why This Matters for Fast-Growing Brands

If you’re scaling ecommerce or fulfillment, small supply decisions snowball.

The right supplies:

Even better, they set the foundation for carrier orchestration, automation, and more advanced fulfillment strategies down the line.

Final Takeaway: Build a Smarter Supply Stack

Your distribution centers supplies shouldn’t be static. As volume grows, complexity does too — and the right tools can simplify everything.

At eHub, we help fast-growing ecommerce brands and 3PLs streamline operations with intelligent fulfillment tools, optimized carrier selection, and high-speed label generation.

Need help leveling up your shipping stack? Let’s talk.

For certain industries and product categories, the delivery experience matters just as much as the product itself. Whether you’re shipping health-related items, adult products, or personal care goods, customer privacy is a top priority. That’s where discreet shipping comes in.

In this post, we’ll break down what discreet shipping really means, when it matters most, and how brands can use it to enhance trust, loyalty, and brand protection.

What Is Discreet Shipping?

Discreet shipping refers to the practice of packaging and delivering items in a way that does not reveal the contents of the package to the outside observer. It typically means:

In some cases, even the billing name used on credit card statements is altered to provide an added layer of anonymity.

The goal? To ensure the customer’s privacy at every step, from checkout to doorstep.

Why Do Customers Care About Discreet Shipping?

Privacy is no longer a niche concern; it’s mainstream. But for certain product types, it’s absolutely critical. Customers expect a level of sensitivity when they’re buying items that are:

Offering discreet shipping isn’t just about protecting the item — it’s about protecting the customer’s dignity, comfort, and peace of mind.

Which Industries Commonly Use Discreet Shipping?

Discreet shipping isn’t limited to one vertical. It’s widely used by:

Even some DTC hygiene and beauty brands opt for nondescript packaging to meet customer expectations regarding privacy and sustainability.

How to Offer Discreet Shipping as a Brand

If you’re a merchant or fulfillment partner, offering discreet shipping involves more than slapping a plain label on a box. Here are a few best practices:

1. Use Plain Packaging

Keep exterior boxes free of branding, product names, and flashy colors. Opt for neutral boxes or padded mailers that blend in with everyday mail.

2. Create a Neutral Return Address

Avoid listing your full brand name in the return address. Instead, use a fulfillment partner’s name or a shortened business name that doesn’t give away what’s inside.

3. Communicate Clearly on the Product Page

Let customers know you offer discreet shipping before they check out. You can mention this on the product page, the FAQ section, or during checkout for maximum reassurance.

4. Coordinate With Your 3PL or Fulfillment Partner

If you’re using a third-party logistics provider (3PL), make sure they support discreet labeling and packaging processes. Not all warehouse systems are set up for this, especially if custom labeling or alternate sender names are required.

Discreet Shipping: Good for Customers, Better for Business

Offering discreet shipping isn’t just a courtesy—it’s a competitive advantage. Customers who feel safe and respected are far more likely to reorder, recommend your brand, and leave positive reviews. In fact, not offering this type of nondescript shipping could be a dealbreaker for privacy-conscious buyers.

In an age where trust is everything, even the box you ship in says something about your brand. Make sure it’s saying the right thing.

Need help scaling discreet fulfillment?
eHub connects e-commerce brands with vetted 3PLs that support customized, discreet packaging. We help you find the right partner, optimize your costs, and protect your customers’ privacy at every touchpoint.

You’re tracking a package. Everything looks normal—until it doesn’t.
You refresh the page and see a new status: Shipment Exception.

Now what?

Whether you’re a customer trying to understand a delivery hiccup or an e-commerce brand managing your own outbound shipping, a shipment exception can be confusing and stressful. But the good news is: it doesn’t always mean a package is lost, and in most cases, the issue can be resolved quickly.

Let’s break down what a shipment exception actually means, what causes it, and what you can do to fix or prevent it.

What Is a Shipment Exception?

A shipment exception is a carrier update that indicates something unexpected has delayed or interrupted the delivery process. It doesn’t necessarily mean the package is lost or undeliverable—it just means there’s been a deviation from the original delivery plan.

In many cases, shipment exceptions are temporary and resolve themselves without any intervention. But occasionally, they require input from the sender, receiver, or carrier to keep things moving.

Common Causes of Shipment Exceptions

Here are some of the most frequent reasons you might see a shipment exception:

In short, anything that prevents the carrier from delivering the shipment as planned may trigger an exception.

What Should You Do When a Shipment Exception Happens?

If you’re a merchant or fulfillment operator, here’s how to respond:

✅ Check the Tracking Page

Carriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx often provide additional notes when exceptions occur. Read carefully for clues—sometimes the fix is as simple as a missing apartment number.

✅ Verify the Address

If the issue is address-related, cross-check the shipping information from your store or platform. Make sure street numbers, zip codes, and apartment or suite numbers are accurate.

✅ Notify the Customer

It’s always better to be proactive. A quick email or message explaining the delay (and what’s being done about it) can go a long way toward preserving trust.

✅ Contact the Carrier

If the tracking page doesn’t offer clear instructions, contact the carrier directly with the tracking number and shipment details.

✅ File a Claim if Necessary

If the package is confirmed lost or damaged, depending on the carrier’s policies and your coverage, you may be eligible to file a claim.

How to Prevent Shipment Exceptions Before They Happen

You can’t control the weather, but there are several things you can do to reduce the chance of exceptions:

How eHub Helps You Minimize Shipping Exceptions

At eHub, we help e-commerce brands simplify and streamline their shipping operations, so exceptions are the exception, not the norm.

With eHub, you can:

Exceptions will happen—but with better data, automation, and flexibility, you can stay ahead of them.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Panic—Just Be Proactive

A shipment exception is frustrating, but it’s not the end of the road.
Most issues are solvable, and the faster you identify them, the quicker you can get the order back on track.

As your brand grows, so does the complexity of your operations. More SKUs, more bundles, more packaging—what once felt manageable quickly turns into a fulfillment headache.

That’s where the kitting process comes in.

Whether you’re shipping curated product bundles, prepping inventory for Amazon FBA, or building influencer kits with branded inserts, kitting helps streamline your warehouse operations and improve the customer experience. Let’s break down what kitting is, how it works, and when it makes sense to build it into your fulfillment strategy.

What Is the Kitting Process?

Kitting is the process of pre-assembling multiple products into a single ready-to-ship unit. Instead of picking and packing each item individually every time an order comes in, kits are built ahead of time—either as made-to-stock or on-demand—so they can be fulfilled faster and more consistently.

For Example:

The result? Less complexity, faster shipping, and a better unboxing experience for the customer.

How the Kitting Process Works

The process will vary slightly depending on the fulfillment setup, but here’s how it generally flows:

  1. Inventory Arrival
     All individual SKUs are received and stored in the fulfillment center.
  2. Kit Assembly
     Warehouse staff assemble kits based on predefined instructions. This can include:
    • Specific item combinations
    • Branded packaging or boxes
    • Inserts, promo materials, or instructions
  3. Labeling and Storage
     Each kit is labeled with a unique SKU and stored as its own unit in the warehouse.
  4. Order Fulfillment
     When an order for the kit comes in, it’s picked and shipped as a single item—no last-minute bundling required.

Some fulfillment providers also offer on-demand kitting, where kits are built as orders come in, useful for dynamic bundles or low-volume SKUs.

Why Kitting Matters in E-Commerce Fulfillment

Whether you’re shipping subscription boxes or prepping bulk kits for retail, a streamlined kitting process offers several benefits:

When to Use Kitting in Your Business

You might be ready for kitting services if:

How eHub Helps With Kitting and Fulfillment

At eHub, we connect e-commerce brands with 3PLs that do more than just pick and pack. Many of our fulfillment partners specialize in kitting services, from branded assembly to retail-ready prep.

We help you:

Whether you’re prepping influencer kits or bundling for retail, we’ll help you get it built, packed, and shipped—your way.

Final Thoughts: Kitting Is How Brands Scale Smart

As you grow, the little details—assembly, inserts, bundles—start to add up. A reliable kitting process takes that complexity off your plate so you can focus on what matters most: your product, your customer, and your growth.

Need a fulfillment partner who can kit, pack, and ship your products at scale? Talk to an eHub fulfillment advisor.

In the age of same-day and next-day delivery, customers don’t just want their orders fast—they expect it. But as a growing ecommerce brand, how do you compete with retail giants without blowing your shipping budget?

The answer for many brands is simple: a local warehouse for ecommerce fulfillment.

Whether you ship hundreds or thousands of orders each month, strategically storing inventory closer to your customers helps you speed up delivery, reduce costs, and improve the customer experience—all critical to scaling your brand successfully.

What Is a Local Warehouse for Ecommerce?

A local warehouse is a strategically placed storage and fulfillment center located near your primary customer base. These facilities can be:

The goal? Reduce last-mile delivery distances and costs while improving delivery speed. By having inventory stored closer to your customers, you can offer faster delivery without relying on expensive express shipping options.

Why Local Warehousing Matters More Than Ever

If you’re fulfilling orders from a single, centralized location, you’re likely running into high shipping costs and long delivery times—especially for customers on the opposite coast or in remote regions.

Local warehousing solves these challenges by:

Signs You’re Ready for a Local Warehouse

You might be ready to add a local warehouse to your fulfillment strategy if:

How to Choose the Right Local Fulfillment Partner

Selecting the right warehouse or 3PL is about more than just proximity—it’s about finding a fulfillment partner that can help you grow without adding complexity.

Look for:

How eHub Helps You Find the Right Local Warehouse

At eHub, we specialize in helping brands simplify their fulfillment strategy with access to a vetted network of 3PL partners across the country. Whether you’re looking to reduce delivery times, lower costs, or prepare for growth, we make it easy to find the right local fulfillment solution.

Here’s How We Help:

You focus on growth—we’ll help you store, ship, and scale smarter.

Final Thoughts: Local Fulfillment Isn’t Just for the Big Brands

You don’t need a nationwide warehouse network to compete with big retailers—you just need the right fulfillment strategy. With a local warehouse, you can meet rising customer expectations, reduce costs, and build a stronger, more resilient ecommerce business.

If you’re spending more time packing boxes than building your brand, you’re not alone. Many growing ecommerce businesses hit a point where fulfillment becomes a bottleneck—slowing growth, increasing errors, and eating away at margins.

That’s where pick and pack services come in. By outsourcing this critical part of the fulfillment process, you can free up time, improve shipping speed, and deliver a better customer experience—all without the overhead of managing it yourself.

Here’s what pick and pack services include, when it makes sense to outsource, and how eHub helps you find the right fulfillment partner to keep your business moving forward.

What Are Pick and Pack Services?

Pick and pack services are the core functions of order fulfillment, typically handled by a third-party logistics (3PL) provider. These services cover everything from the time an order is placed to the moment it’s handed off to the carrier.

The Process Looks Like This:

  1. Inventory Receiving and Storage
     Your products are shipped to and securely stored in the fulfillment center.
  2. Order Picking
     When an order comes in, warehouse staff “pick” the correct SKUs from inventory.
  3. Packing and Inserts
     Orders are packed using appropriate materials, with options for branded packaging or promotional inserts.
  4. Labeling and Shipping
     Shipping labels are applied, and the order is handed off to the carrier.
  5. Returns Handling (Optional)
     Some 3PLs also manage returns and reverse logistics for added convenience.

At its best, a pick-and-pack partner feels like a seamless extension of your brand, delivering fast, accurate orders that keep customers coming back.

When Should You Outsource Pick and Pack Fulfillment?

If fulfillment tasks are starting to dominate your day, or worse, create customer complaints, it might be time to hand it off to a professional.

Consider outsourcing if:

What to Look for in a Pick and Pack Fulfillment Partner

Choosing the right partner isn’t just about warehouse space—it’s about finding a fulfillment team that can scale with you and protect your customer experience.

Here’s what to evaluate:

How eHub Helps You Simplify Pick and Pack Fulfillment

At eHub, we specialize in helping e-commerce brands take the guesswork out of fulfillment. Whether you’re looking to scale up quickly or regain control over fulfillment costs, we make it easier to find a partner that fits your business.

Here’s how we help:

Vetted 3PL Network

We connect you with trusted fulfillment providers who specialize in fast, accurate pick and pack services.

Shipping Automation

Simplify your shipping process with integrated carrier management, rate shopping, and label generation.

One Centralized Platform

Manage orders, shipments, and fulfillment operations from a single, easy-to-use dashboard.

Scalable Growth Support

As your business grows, we help you layer on additional fulfillment locations, optimize carrier selection, and control costs.

You bring the product—we’ll help you store, pack, and ship it smarter.

Final Thoughts: Fast Fulfillment Builds Better Brands

Great products get customers through the door, but great fulfillment keeps them coming back.

If you’re ready to free up your time, improve margins, and deliver faster, more accurate orders, it might be time to explore pick and pack services with the right fulfillment partner.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is entering a new era of leadership. On May 9, the USPS Board of Governors announced the appointment of David Steiner as the 76th Postmaster General and CEO of the United States Postal Service. Steiner will take over from Acting Postmaster General Doug Tulino, who has served in the interim following Louis DeJoy’s resignation in March. Pending successful completion of ethics and security clearances, Steiner is expected to assume the role in July 2025.

A New Vision at the Helm

Steiner is best known for his 12-year tenure as CEO of Waste Management, where he transformed the company’s operations and introduced new business lines and pricing models. He’s also held board positions with major logistics players like FedEx, signaling a strong background in both operational efficiency and transportation strategy.

In accepting the role, Steiner expressed admiration for the Postal Service’s public mission and indicated a desire to work closely with USPS unions, employees, and industry stakeholders to build a more competitive and resilient future.

What This Could Mean for Shippers

For businesses that rely on USPS for e-commerce fulfillment, last-mile delivery, or national shipping coverage, Steiner’s appointment brings several considerations:

While it’s too early to predict the full impact, this leadership change reinforces USPS’s ongoing efforts to modernize and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving shipping landscape.

At eHub, we monitor shifts that affect rates, delivery times, and operational strategy so you don’t have to.

Today’s online shoppers expect their orders to arrive fast—and often for free. That puts growing brands in a bind: How do you keep shipping speeds high without burning through your margins?

One answer: a local warehouse for ecommerce.

Whether you’re shipping from your own garage or fulfilling orders from a distant 3PL, storing inventory closer to your customers can radically improve delivery times, reduce shipping costs, and set your brand up to scale.

Let’s take a look at what a local warehouse for ecommerce actually is, how it helps, and how to find the right one for your business.

What Is a Local Warehouse for Ecommerce?

A local warehouse is a strategically located storage and fulfillment center that holds your inventory closer to your customer base. These facilities can be:

In e-commerce, the goal of using a local warehouse is simple: get orders into your customers’ hands faster and cheaper.

Why Local Warehousing Matters More Than Ever

If you’re shipping orders from one central location across the country—or even internationally—you’re likely racking up high costs on long-distance deliveries. Worse, those shipments take longer to arrive, especially to customers on the coasts or in rural zones.

Local warehousing solves that problem by cutting down the last mile.

Key Benefits of Local Fulfillment:

Whether you’re DTC, marketplace-driven, or selling across multiple channels, local fulfillment is a strategic lever you can’t afford to ignore.

Signs You’re Ready for a Local Warehouse for Ecommerce

You might be ready to explore local warehousing if:

How to Choose the Right Local Fulfillment Partner

Not all warehouses are created equal. When evaluating local options, look for:

How eHub Helps You Get Local, Fast

At eHub, we connect brands with a network of vetted 3PL warehouses—strategically located across the U.S.—to help you ship smarter, faster, and more profitably.

Here’s how we support local fulfillment strategies:

🌎 Location-Based 3PL Matching

We help you identify the best warehouse partners near your customers—so you can reduce transit time and cost.

🧠 Unified Fulfillment Management

Track orders, generate labels, and manage shipments from one platform, even if you’re using multiple warehouses or channels.

🔁 Multi-Carrier Rate Optimization

Access discounted rates across USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL—and route orders to the best option.

🧩 Plug-and-Play Integrations

Connect your Shopify, WooCommerce, or custom tech stack to your 3PLs and unlock smooth operational flow.

You focus on growth—we’ll help you fulfill it, one local warehouse at a time.

Final Thoughts: Fast Shipping Without the Guesswork

If you want to grow your brand without handing over control or racking up unsustainable shipping costs, local warehousing is a smart next step.

At eHub, we help you make the leap—with real support, transparent tools, and a fulfillment strategy built around your goals.

If your team ships dozens—or even hundreds—of packages a day, manually handling each one isn’t just slow; it’s risky.

Delays. Missed pickups. Disorganized handoffs to the carrier.

That’s where batch delivery to carrier becomes essential. Whether you’re operating a warehouse or partnering with a 3PL, batching streamlines your outbound flow and ensures packages move efficiently from your dock to the carrier.

Let’s break down what batch delivery actually means, why it matters, and how platforms like eHub simplify it.

What Is Batch Delivery to Carrier?

Batch delivery to carrier refers to the process of grouping multiple outbound packages into a single organized handoff—typically paired with batch label generation and coordinated pickup or drop-off scheduling.

Instead of treating every package as its own isolated task, batch delivery allows fulfillment teams to:

Think of it as streamlining the “shipment of shipments.”

Why Batch Delivery Matters

If you’re still processing outbound packages one label at a time—or handing them off in small, uncoordinated groups—it’s easy to fall behind. Especially when:

Batching addresses these bottlenecks and keeps fulfillment moving smoothly.

Key Benefits:

How Batch Delivery Works in Practice

Here’s what a typical batch delivery workflow might look like:

  1. Group Orders
     Orders are filtered by carrier, service level, or client.
  2. Print Labels in Bulk
     A shipping platform generates all labels for the group in one workflow.
  3. Sort and Stage Packages
     Boxes are physically grouped by carrier and staged for pickup or delivery.
  4. Carrier Handoff
     Packages are delivered to or picked up by the appropriate carrier in an organized batch.

Common Use Cases for Batch Delivery

How eHub Makes Batch Delivery Easier

Batching is only as efficient as the tools you use—and we built Ship to simplify high-volume fulfillment at every step.

Bulk Label Generation

Generate shipping labels across all major carriers in organized groups—saving time and reducing errors.

Organized Carrier Routing

Sort orders by carrier and service level automatically so your team doesn’t have to manually triage packages.

Multi-Carrier Support

eHub gives you access to top carriers like USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL—so you can ship smarter from one place.

Tracking Visibility

Easily monitor which batches have gone out and what’s still pending—especially helpful for growing ops teams.

Batching brings structure to shipping—and eHub helps you scale it without friction.

Final Thoughts: Batch Better, Ship Smarter

In high-volume ecommerce or 3PL environments, outbound shipping can quickly become chaotic without a clear system. Batch delivery to carrier creates a smoother handoff, reduces mistakes, and helps your fulfillment team keep pace with growing demand.

At eHub, we help brands and fulfillment partners automate batch processing, centralize label creation, and move faster every day.

If you’re selling online, fulfillment is one of the most significant decisions you’ll make. It directly impacts your customer experience, margins, and brand. One question many ask as they start down the road is, “How do I decide between Amazon FBA vs. 3PL?”

Many ecommerce sellers start with Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)—and for good reason. It’s fast, convenient, and gets your products in front of Prime shoppers. But as your business grows, you may hit some walls.

That’s when brands start comparing Amazon FBA vs 3PL—and asking: Which one actually sets us up for long-term success?

Let’s break down the differences and help you decide what’s right for your next chapter.

What Is Amazon FBA?

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) means you send your products to Amazon’s warehouses, and they take care of the rest—picking, packing, shipping, and even returns.

FBA Pros:

FBA Cons:

FBA is great for volume—but not always for control, flexibility, or brand experience.

What Is a 3PL?

A third-party logistics provider (3PL) is a fulfillment partner that stores your inventory and handles the pick, pack, and ship process for your orders—across all your sales channels.

Whether you’re selling on Amazon, Shopify, Walmart, or wholesale, a 3PL acts as your operational backbone.

3PL Pros:

3PL Cons:

Not all 3PLs are created equal—but the right one can unlock brand growth far beyond what FBA allows.

When to Switch from Amazon FBA to a 3PL

Many brands use FBA to get started—but later hit key milestones that make switching worthwhile.

You might be ready to move to a 3PL if:

How eHub Makes the Transition Easier

Switching from FBA doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At eHub, we make it easy to compare, select, and launch with a 3PL that fits your business.

Here’s how we help:

Personalized 3PL Matching

We help you find a 3PL that aligns with your product type, volume, growth goals, and fulfillment needs.

Order & Shipping Automation

Our software streamlines shipping, labeling, and tracking—so you don’t lose the simplicity you’re used to with FBA.

Better Cost Control

We give you access to competitive shipping options through major carriers—without long-term contracts or hidden fees.

Multi-Channel Ready

Sell on Amazon, Shopify, your own website, or wholesale—we help you fulfill it all from a unified platform.

You don’t need to choose between growth and control. With eHub, you can have both.

Final Thoughts: Which Is Right for You?

If you’re selling exclusively on Amazon and want hands-off fulfillment, FBA is hard to beat.

But if you’re building a brand, diversifying your channels, or looking to improve margins and control, a 3PL may be the smarter long-term play.

At eHub, we help ecommerce brands make that leap—without losing momentum.