How Businesses Can Achieve Same-Day Fulfillment

3rd Party Logistics: What It Is & How It Helps Businesses Grow

A 3PL partner will help the brand smoothen everything, from warehousing to inventory management to multi-courier shipping, allowing the business to focus on growth while experts take over the back end of supply.

What Is 3rd Party Logistics (3PL)?

Third-Party Logistics (3PL) are when a firm outsources its logistics and supply chain operations to a dedicated company.

A 3PL partner manages the critical fulfillment activities like:

• Storage & Warehousing

• Inventory Management

• Order Processing

• Pick, Pack & Dispatch

• Shipping Through Multiple Courier Partners 

• Reverse Logistics (Returns)

How Does 3PL Work?

Here's what a typical 3PL fulfillment cycle looks like:

1. Storage of Inventory

You send your stock to the 3PL warehouse, where it is sorted and stored.

2. Processing of Order

The 3PL system gets the order automatically when one is placed from a customer on your website/marketplace.

3. Pick & Pack

After picking the product from the rack, it gets packed securely by the warehouse team and is prepared for shipment.

4. Courier Allocation

The 3PL selects the best courier partner depending on cost, performance, and delivery location.

5. Delivery & Tracking

The order is shipped, and live tracking updates are delivered to customers.

6. Returns Management

This also includes return pickups and restocking by 3PL.

Top Benefits of Using a 3PL Provider

1. Lower Operational Costs

You save money on warehouses, staff, and shipping because 3PLs operate at scale.

2. Faster Deliveries (Even 1–2 Day Options)

Most 3PLs are integrated with leading courier companies to ensure timely and reliable delivery.

3. Better Customer Experience

Precise delivery, swift dispatch, and real-time tracking lead to increased customer satisfaction.

4. Access to Multiple Courier Partners

Instead of relying on one courier, 3PLs offer access to 10–20+ courier companies.

5. Inventory & Order Automation

Advanced dashboards help with stock management, order automation, and performance analysis.

3PL vs 1PL vs 2PL vs 4PL: What’s the Difference?

Why 3PL Is Growing So Rapidly in India

The ecommerce market in India is growing at an unprecedented rate. Consequently, there is a growing demand for:

• PAN-India delivery

• Low cost logistics

• Reliable means of courier

• Multi-warehouse fulfillment

• Seamless returns handling

Who Should Use 3PL Services?

• 3PLs are ideal for:

• Ecommerce sellers

• D2C brands

• Sellers on Instagram/Facebook 

• Online expanding retailers 

• Subscription box companies 

• FMCG, fashion, electronics, cosmetics & more

How to Choose the Right 3PL Provider in India

Look for a provider that offers:

 Multi-courier shipping
Affordable pricing
Smart delivery routing
Easy integration with marketplaces
High success rate for deliveries
Strong return management
Real-time tracking dashboard
24×7 support