Sweet success for luxury chocolate’s ecommerce fulfillment
Case Study: how Radial responded to the requirements of a gourmet brand selling luxury chocolate’s ecommerce fulfillment across Europe.
Client Overview
A strong manufacturer and online retailer of premium chocolate and coffee products sought to expand their e-commerce fulfillment operations across Europe, focusing on Germany and other German-speaking regions.
They partnered with Radial Europe to meet their needs regarding luxury chocolate’s e-commerce fulfillment, unique product handling requirements, and growth objectives.
Challenges
- Temperature-sensitive products: Chocolate requires strict temperature and humidity control during storage and shipping.
- Seasonal demand fluctuations: Chocolate sales peak during certain times of the year, requiring scalable fulfillment capabilities.
- Multi-country distribution: The brand needed to efficiently serve customers across Europe, focusing on German-speaking markets.
- Product certifications: Maintaining and tracking various certifications for different products and markets.
- Custom packaging: Requirements for gift notes and special packaging during summer months.
Solution
Radial Europe implemented a comprehensive solution tailored to the needs of this client looking for luxury chocolate’s e-commerce fulfillment.
Temperature-controlled storage:
- Dedicated space with temperature and humidity control
- Epoxy flooring for easy cleaning and maintenance
- Fire suppression system for safety
Inventory management:
- Implementation of First Expired, First Out (FEFO) rotation system
- Regular inventory checks to ensure product quality and prevent obsolescence
Specialized shipping processes:
- Use of ice gel packs and climate-controlled bags for summer shipments
- Integration of custom gift note service
- VAS – Value Added Services on ad-hoc request basis.
Multi-carrier shipping strategy:
- Partnerships with carriers like DPD, DHL, and bpost for optimal coverage and cost-efficiency
Quality assurance:
- Implementation of Good Warehousing and Distribution Practices (GWDP)
- Regular audits of storage conditions, housekeeping, and GMPs
- Installation of calibrated data loggers for continuous temperature and humidity monitoring
Allergen management:
- Segregated storage areas for allergen-containing products (e.g., nut-based items)
Traceability system:
- Implementation of lot tracking for all food products and packaging materials
- Regular verification of the traceability system
Customized IT solutions:
- Integration with the client’s ERP system for seamless inventory and order management
- Generation of detailed delivery reports for each shipment
Luxury chocolate’s ecommerce fulfillment
Radial Europe’s innovative approach to luxury chocolate’s e-commerce fulfillment demonstrates the company’s ability to tackle complex logistical challenges. By combining temperature-controlled storage, specialized shipping processes, and seamless multi-carrier integration, Radial successfully enabled this premium chocolate brand to expand its European presence. This case study highlights how tailored fulfillment solutions can be a key ingredient in an e-commerce retailer’s recipe for success, particularly in the demanding luxury food sector.
Conquer Europe from Belgium
Radial distribution center in Boom: 30 minutes to bpost hubs, late cut-offs, serves Belgium & neighbors (France, Netherlands, Germany, Luxemburg).
