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03/25/2025

Retail Logistics Case Study: Managing Rapid Growth

GEODIS helped a prominent US footwear retailer achieve 99.9% order accuracy and a 5x increase in shipping volume through automated fulfillment.

Rapid growth creates tremendous opportunities and significant logistics challenges. Retailers must manage expansion across multiple sales channels. They need sophisticated fulfillment solutions that can scale efficiently while maintaining product quality and customer satisfaction.

 

Our client experienced enormous growth in their retail and eCommerce operations. They needed a logistics provider who could help them transform their supply chain to support their evolving business model. Through strategic automation, warehouse redesign, and enhanced IT integration, GEODIS developed a comprehensive solution that  took care of their needs while positioning them for success in new market segments.

Key takeaways

 

  • Achieved 99.9% order accuracy while managing a 5x increase in annual shipping volume
  • Doubled storage capacity and handled a 4x increase in SKUs through strategic warehouse redesign
  • Implemented robotic automation to support 30% projected eCommerce growth
  • Part of a 5+ year collaboration that evolved from retail to eCommerce and now wholesale expansion

Facts about our footwear retail client

  • Prominent US-based boot manufacturer and retailer
  • Operates 40+ retail stores throughout the United States
  • Strong and growing eCommerce presence
  • Expanding into wholesale operations

 

Background with our footwear retail client

We've been working with our client since 2019, when they first engaged our services. Over the past five years, they've experienced impressive growth across both their retail and eCommerce channels. This rapid expansion prompted GEODIS and our client to undertake a major redesign of their operations to accommodate additional retail stores and handle significantly increased eCommerce order volumes.

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Challenges for our footwear retail client

Our client faced several critical challenges due to their accelerated growth:

 

  • Rapid growth and increased demand: Soaring outbound volumes and expanding inventory needs created pressure on their supply chain infrastructure; both their retail and eCommerce channels experienced substantial growth.
  • Labor efficiency: They needed effective automation solutions to minimize their reliance on manual labor to manage increased demand without proportionally expanding their workforce.
  • IT integration and visibility: They required improved systems integration and enhanced visibility throughout their supply chain for better management and customer service capabilities.

 

Retail logistics solutions

We used a comprehensive approach to deal with our client's growth challenges:

 

  • Robotic automation: We deployed Locus robots within our fulfillment centers to manage congestion, boost productivity, and optimize operations throughout the facility.
  • Enhanced fulfillment capacity: We expanded our management of our client's full contract logistics in the US, handling their eCommerce orders and servicing shipments to their 40 retail stores.
  • Value Added Services (VAS): We used specialized services to upcycle boots with proper dunnage, preventing damage during shipping and ensuring consistent product quality.
  • Integrated IT solutions: We improved IT integration across their operations, providing better visibility and streamlining processes to enhance management capabilities and customer service.
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Footwear retail client results

Our partnership with this client has delivered exceptional results as they've scaled their business:

 

  • 4x increase in SKUs maintained in inventory
  • 5x increase in annual volume shipped
  • 2x increase in storage capacity
  • 99.9%+ accuracy rate for order fulfillment
  • 30% growth projections for their eCommerce channel
  • 5+ years of successful partnership and counting

 

Our client is now positioned for their next phase of expansion. They're adding 150,000 square feet to their warehouse footprint and introducing wholesale operations to their business model.

How GEODIS can help

GEODIS is one of the biggest logistics providers in the U.S. and around the world. Here's what you can expect when you partner with us on your retail supply chain:

 

  • Strategically located warehouses and distribution centers throughout the U.S.
  • Advanced robotics and automation solutions to optimize your fulfillment operations
  • Scalable operations that grow with your business across multiple sales channels
  • Real-time visibility throughout your supply chain
  • Specialized Value Added Services to ensure product quality and customer satisfaction
  • Expertise in managing retail, eCommerce, and wholesale logistics simultaneously
  • Continuous improvement methodologies for ongoing optimization

 

Ready to transform your retail supply chain for scalable growth? Get in touch with GEODIS to discover how we can optimize your operations and support your business expansion.

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