How to plan your supply chain and logistics

To plan an effective supply chain, you must map out the entire journey of your goods: from the moment you order materials to the second a customer receives their parcel. A solid logistics plan minimises delays, reduces shipping costs, and ensures you aren't left with too much or too little stock at any given time.

1. Map your inbound logistics

Inbound logistics refers to how materials or products get to you. Even if you aren't manufacturing the items yourself, you need to understand how they arrive. Consider the following:

• Lead times: How long does it take from the moment you place an order until it arrives at your door? Factor in manufacturing time and transit time.
• Freight options: If you are moving large volumes, you might need a freight forwarder. For smaller quantities, standard courier services are usually sufficient.
• Duty and Customs: If your materials are coming from outside the UK, ensure you understand the import VAT and customs duties that will apply, as these can affect both your timeline and your budget.

2. Organise your storage and "Picking" system

Once your goods arrive, they need a home. Whether you are using a spare room, a garage, or a small warehouse, your storage needs to be organised for speed. Use a "First-In, First-Out" (FIFO) system to ensure older stock is used or sold first, preventing items from becoming damaged or obsolete.

Create a dedicated "pack station" with all your tapes, labels, and boxes ready to go. A logical layout reduces the time it takes to "pick" an item from a shelf and "pack" it for a customer, which is vital as your order volume grows.

3. Choose your outbound delivery partners

The final leg of the journey—getting the product to the customer—is often the most visible part of your brand. In the UK, you have several options depending on the size and weight of your goods:

Provider Type	Best For...	Common Examples
Postal Services	Small, light items and letters.	Royal Mail
Standard Couriers	Tracked parcels and fast delivery.	Evri, DPD, DHL, UPS
Pallet Networks	Very heavy or bulky items.	Palletways, Palletline

Don't just look at the price; look at the reliability and tracking capabilities. UK customers increasingly expect "next-day" options and precise delivery windows.

4. Consider Third-Party Logistics (3PL)

As you scale, you might find that storing and shipping products yourself takes up too much time. A 3PL provider is a company that stores your stock in their warehouse and automatically dispatches orders as they come in through your website. This is a great way to "outsource" the headache of logistics, though it does come with additional fees per item stored and shipped.

Top Tip: Always have a "Plan B" courier. Systems go down and drivers go on strike; having a secondary account with a different delivery firm ensures your business doesn't ground to a halt during peak seasons like Christmas.

5. Plan for "Reverse Logistics" (Returns)

Logistics doesn't end when the customer gets the package. You need a clear process for how items come back to you. Decide if you will provide a pre-paid return label or if the customer pays for the return. Ensure you have a process to inspect returned goods quickly so you can process refunds or put items back into your sellable stock.