From Your Current Setup
To The First Dispatch.
Moving fulfilment into a warehouse starts with understanding the operation.
Products, SKUs, sales channels, packing rules, storage requirements, courier routes and returns all affect how stock and orders need to move.
Spacebox reviews those details before stock arrives, then sets up the Birmingham warehouse process around your products and order flow.
The goal is straightforward: stock arrives with a plan, orders follow clear instructions and exceptions have an agreed route.
Setup Review
First Checks• Products and SKU data
• Sales channels
• Storage requirements
• Packing instructions
• Returns process
• Account contacts
Products, volumes and channels reviewed
SKU and storage requirements mapped
Sales-channel flow agreed
Picking, packing and dispatch checked
Orders move through the agreed process
Start With The Work
Behind Each Order.
The first step is a practical review of what fulfilment needs to handle. A straightforward product range requires a different setup from bundles, fragile products, marketplace stock, branded packing, batch-controlled goods or return-heavy operations. Spacebox reviews the job before pricing and onboarding so both sides understand the products, volumes and warehouse work involved.
Initial Call
Start with what you sell, where you sell and what your current fulfilment setup looks like.
Product types, channels, volumes, current setup and main pressures.
Fulfilment Review
Spacebox considers storage, picking, packing, courier preparation and returns requirements.
SKU count, parcel profiles, storage needs, packing rules and returns processes.
Quote & Setup Plan
Pricing reflects the work required rather than a generic fulfilment package.
Order volume, storage spaces, pick & pack types, product preps, and returns volume.
Ten Checks
Before Orders Move.
Onboarding turns your product and order information into practical warehouse instructions. Each part needs confirming before stock and customer orders enter the normal fulfilment workflow.
SKU list, names, barcodes, dimensions, variants and relevant information.
Product records for warehouse use.
Store or marketplace details and the available order route.
Order flow for fulfilment.
Expected delivery, pallet or carton count and stock information.
Goods-in plan.
Product handling, storage, bundle, batch or expiry details where relevant.
Warehouse storage route.
Packaging, inserts, presentation, bundle and product-handling instructions.
Account packing rules.
Delivery requirements, parcel information and relevant courier preferences.
Dispatch and handover process.
Condition rules, restock instructions and exception requirements.
Returns workflow.
Suitable example orders, including relevant bundles or variations.
A test through picking, packing and dispatch.
Target start point and any known launch requirements.
Warehouse readiness review.
Account contacts and reporting requirements.
Communication and support route.
Goods-In Starts
With Knowing What Is Coming.
Stock intake works better when the warehouse has useful information before the delivery arrives. Spacebox checks inbound goods against the agreed stock details and moves accepted products into the planned warehouse locations. Unclear, damaged or mismatched stock can follow an exception route rather than entering fulfilment automatically.
Delivery Details
Cartons or pallets arrive against the available booking and stock information.
Goods-In Check
Stock is checked against the supplied quantities and receiving instructions.
SKU Match
Products, variants and available barcode information are reviewed.
Warehouse Location
Accepted stock moves into the agreed storage position.
Exceptions
Damaged goods, missing labels or quantity issues move to review.
Ready For Testing
Suitable stock becomes available for the agreed test-order process.
Check The Route
Before Volume Builds.
Test orders help confirm how products move from order release through picking, packing and courier preparation. Testing can also reveal unclear SKU data, packing assumptions, bundle instructions or exception routes before normal order volume begins.
Order Release
Confirm which orders enter fulfilment and which remain on hold.
Product Pick
Check SKU, variation, quantity and product match.
Packing Rules
Review packaging, inserts, bundles and product-specific instructions.
Courier Preparation
Check labels, parcel details and agreed courier workflow.
Exceptions
Review examples such as stock mismatches, missing data or held orders.
Returns
Confirm return checking, stock routing and account instructions.
Some Moves Need
More Preparation Than Others.
There is no universal setup timeline. A simple ecommerce setup with clean product data may require less preparation than a multi-channel operation with bundles, branded packaging, batch rules, returns or stock moving from another 3PL. Timing depends on how quickly the information, stock and testing requirements come together.
| Setup | Main Dependencies |
|---|---|
| Simple ecommerce | Product data, stock readiness and packing rules |
| Multi-channel | Channel setup, order route and testing |
| Product prep or branded packing | Instructions, materials and sample approval |
| Moving from another 3PL | Stock transfer, data matching and handover |
Real Orders Start
Through The Agreed Route.
Once stock, account instructions and test orders are ready, customer orders can enter the normal fulfilment workflow. Early orders help confirm the setup in day-to-day use and highlight anything that needs adjusting.
Orders Enter Fulfilment
Suitable orders move into the warehouse queue.
Products Are Picked
The required SKU, variation and quantity are selected.
Orders Are Packed
Packing follows the agreed account requirements.
Parcels Are Prepared
Completed orders move towards the agreed courier handover.
Dispatch Information
Available dispatch information follows the account setup.
Exceptions Are Reviewed
Issues are recorded and routed to the relevant account contact.
A Repeatable Warehouse Route
For Stock And Orders.
After go-live, fulfilment becomes an ongoing warehouse process. Orders, inventory movement, returns and account questions follow the rules agreed during onboarding. The aim is not unnecessary complexity. It is a clear route for the work that happens every day.
Pick, Pack & Dispatch
Orders move through the warehouse according to the account setup.
• Order review, product picking and SKU checks.
• Packing, courier preparation, and exception handling.
Stock Visibility
Warehouse movement and stock questions follow the available account records.
• Stock checks and receipt details.
• Returns review, exceptions and query mapping.
Is Spacebox The Right Fulfilment Fit?
A successful fulfilment move needs enough product and operational information to build a workable warehouse process.
Good Fit
- ✓Ecommerce brands with repeat orders
- ✓Shopify, WooCommerce, TikTok Shop, Amazon, eBay and DTC sellers
- ✓Brands needing storage and pick-and-pack support
- ✓Businesses with usable SKU and product information
- ✓Sellers moving from in-house fulfilment or another provider
- ✓Brands looking for a Birmingham fulfilment operation
Needs Review
- !Products requiring specialist or regulated storage
- !Hazardous or temperature-controlled goods
- !Businesses without usable product information
- !Unsupported platform or integration requirements
- !Products outside the agreed handling scope
- !Operations requiring unsupported service guarantees
Fulfilment Setup Checklist.
Having the right information ready makes the first conversation more useful. Prepare your product data, stock details, sales channels, packing requirements, returns rules and account contacts before onboarding begins.
• Product and SKU data
• Stock transfer information
• Sales channels
• Packing instructions
• Returns rules
• Testing requirements
• Account contacts
How Fulfilment Works FAQ
Ready To Plan
How Your Orders Move?
Tell Spacebox what you sell, how many SKUs you hold, where orders come from and what you currently manage in-house. We will review the operation and explain what needs to happen before stock moves into the Birmingham warehouse.
Call: 0121 326 0060
Email: [email protected]