Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
Applicable Industries
- Marine & Shipping
- Transportation
Applicable Functions
- Logistics & Transportation
- Warehouse & Inventory Management
Use Cases
- Inventory Management
- Last Mile Delivery
Services
- System Integration
About The Customer
Party Delights is the UK's premier partyware retailer, stocking over 20,000 products including balloons, fancy dress, toys, stationary, wedding accessories, and sweets. The company, founded in 2001, has seen impressive growth, serving its 100,000th customer just four years after its inception. The company operates from a 35,000 square foot warehouse in Manchester with a hub in Germany for European operations. With 100 staff members, the firm is award-winning for its fast growth and customer service. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit, Party Delights has continued to thrive, thanks to its commitment to operational resilience and customer service.
The Challenge
Party Delights, the UK's leading partyware retailer, faced several operational challenges. Despite having a delivery management system in place, the company was heavily reliant on a single supplier for shipping. This posed a significant risk as even a short period of downtime could result in a backlog of hundreds of orders, leaving the warehouse team idle. The company was also seeking to future-proof its operations and improve account management and support. The need for diversification of tech and mitigation of single points of failure, especially in business-critical operations like shipping, was paramount. The company's growth and the increase in online shopping meant more shipping, and the existing system was not equipped to handle the surge efficiently.
The Solution
Party Delights decided to partner with Sorted, an innovative and reliable carrier and delivery management platform. The decision was driven by Sorted's competitive pricing, robust infrastructure, and excellent account management. Sorted's solution, 'Ship', allowed Party Delights to access multiple carriers through a single integration, save cost through shipping rules, and generate carrier-compatible labels. This solution not only reduced the risk associated with a single point of failure but also future-proofed the operations. The partnership with Sorted also helped Party Delights navigate market disruptions. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company saw a surge in orders, especially for traditional partyware product lines. The robust systems put in place by Sorted allowed Party Delights to continue serving its customers efficiently during these uncertain times.
Operational Impact
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