As an e-commerce business owner, you understand the importance of standing out in a crowded market. E-commerce world is a bustling marketplace where competition is fierce, and consumers have an ever-growing number of choices at their fingertips. To capture their attention and secure their loyalty, you need a strategy that not only sets your business apart but also enhances the customer experience. That’s where kitting, the art of bundling related products into attractive packages, comes into play. Kitting is the perfect fit for influencer marketing, but it is also a popular way to sell more products to your everyday customers. Whether you sell supplements, fashion, or tech gadgets, bundling complementary items into kits adds value, convenience, and excitement to the shopping experience. And best of all, it is good for business. Let’s discuss how kitting can be a game-changer for your e-commerce business, with the help of a 3PL service such as ShipWizard.
What Is Kitting?
Kitting is a strategic inventory management and fulfillment process that involves bundling together related products or items as a single package before they are shipped to the customer. For example, in the cosmetics industry, a kitting strategy might involve bundling a skincare set that includes a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen, offering customers a complete skincare regimen in one package. In the tech industry, kitting can be seen when a company packages a laptop with accessories like a mouse, keyboard, and laptop bag, creating a convenient and comprehensive purchase for the customer. When we talk about kitting services or assembly services in the e-commerce fulfillment world, we refer to the assembly of individual items into ready-to-ship sets, or kits. It’s important to note that in the world of fulfillment services, kitting is not the same as pick, pack and ship, but these services can be related. The kitting process might also include other necessary services like shrink-wrap, labeling bottles or attaching items to cards, for instance.
Kitting: Key to Kicking E-commerce Fulfillment into High Gear
When you leverage kitting services offered by a 3PL like ShipWizard, you get to enjoy a wide range of benefits. Here are some key advantages:
- Increased Sales: Kitting enables you to create bundled product offerings, enticing customers with complementary items. This can boost the average order value (AOV) as customers are more likely to purchase a set of related products rather than just one item.
- Reduced Shipping Costs: Consolidating multiple items into a single kit reduces the number of packages you need to ship. This leads to cost savings on shipping fees and can make free shipping promotions more feasible.
- Perfect For Influencer Marketing: If your marketing strategy includes influencers (and let’s face it, it’s a must in e-commerce), bundles and kits are the perfect solution. Working hand-in-hand with influencers, you can unveil your kits to the world in a whole new light. Picture an influencer with millions of followers unboxing your carefully crafted bundles with enthusiasm. This type of endorsement can transform your brand overnight.
- Better Customer Experience: Providing curated kits tailored to your customers’ needs or preferences can greatly improve their shopping experience. It simplifies the decision-making process, making it easier for customers to find and purchase the products they desire.
- Inventory Management: Kitting can help manage inventory more efficiently by moving slow-moving or excess stock as part of bundled kits. It reduces the need for excessive warehousing space and minimizes the risk of overstocking.
- Streamlined Operations: Kitting streamlines the order fulfillment process, as pre-assembled kits can be quickly picked and packed. This leads to faster order processing and reduced order errors.
- Seasonal and Promotional Campaigns: Kitting is perfect for seasonal promotions, holidays, or special events. You can create themed kits to align with various occasions, driving sales during peak seasons. Kits can be marketed as exclusive offerings or limited-time promotions, creating a sense of urgency and encouraging customers to make a purchase.
- Sustainability: Eco-conscious consumers appreciate the reduction in packaging waste associated with kitting. Fewer packages mean less packaging material and a smaller environmental footprint.
- Efficient Returns Processing: Returns are simplified as kits are returned intact, reducing the complexity of processing individual item returns.
Getting Started With Kitting
If you are ready to leverage ShipWizard’s kitting capabilities, here are 3 simple steps to get started:
- Choose Products to Bundle: Select the individual items that will be included in your kits. Ensure they align with your target audience’s needs and preferences. Consider the season, special occasions, or promotions that might influence your product selection. If you are in the supplements business, maybe your bundles are focused on areas of health concern: Immunity Booster, Energy Bundle, Summer Health Essentials, Women’s Wellness, Prenatal Care Package and more.
- Design Packaging For Your Kits: Select packaging that not only protects the products but also enhances their presentation. The packaging should align with your brand’s identity and the theme of the kit. If your supplement kits have a specific theme, such as “Immunity Boost” or “Detox Essentials,” design the packaging to reflect that theme. Use imagery, colors, and graphics that convey the purpose of the kit. If necessary, include an instruction or information sheet that guides customers on how to use the bundled products together effectively.
- Get Your 3PL Partner Involved: Here comes the fun part – partner with your 3PL to take advantage of their kitting capabilities. ShipWizard can expertly handle the assembly and fulfillment of your bundles or kits. As your 3PL, we will design a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for each of your kits. We will then ensure that the kits are accurately assembled, properly labeled, and packaged to meet your standards. Leveraging our kitting expertise, inventory management, and scalability, ShipWizard is ready to be your partner in introducing bundles, kits, promotional offers and more to boost your e-commerce sales.
Ready to take your kitting game to the next level? Contact ShipWizard today to discuss the full potential of bundled products and kits for your e-commerce business. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make your products stand out and delight your customers with innovative kitting solutions. Reach out to ShipWizard now, and let’s get kitting!
