Materials Handling World speaks with Linnworks, a leading provider of ecommerce solutions, to explore how its software supports omnichannel commerce.
Linnworks’ Connected CommerceOps platform connects modern retailers with customers worldwide through its inventory, order, and warehouse management software.
This platform serves businesses across the customer journey, from startups and scale-ups to some of the world’s largest, most recognisable brands.
Linnworks operates across a broad range of retail sectors, including home and garden, consumer electronics, fashion, and the automotive industry.
Connectivity and clarity
Linnworks addresses critical challenges such as the lack of data visibility and the inability to see operations clearly in one place.
With real-time, comprehensive visibility into inventory, Linnworks offers accurate, up-to-the-minute reporting that tracks sales across multiple channels.
It’s all about connectivity, providing centralisation at every stage. Key features of Linnworks include:
• Seamless Marketplace Integration: Connect to major marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, and Wayfair, ensuring your products are consistently listed and managed across all platforms.
• Real-time Data Visibility: Get full visibility and synchronisation across all sales channels, with real-time reporting on inventory, orders, and sales to support informed decision-making.
• Automated Warehouse and Order Management: Automate processes like order routing, inventory updates, and fulfilment, reducing manual tasks, saving time, and lowering staff costs.
• Powerful Analytics and Reporting: Access robust analytics to monitor performance metrics, identify inefficiencies, and make data-driven decisions that enhance profitability and efficiency.
• Barcode Scanning and Quality Control: Implement barcode scanning and quality control to ensure order accuracy, minimise errors in the warehouse, and maintain high fulfilment standards.
Marketplace Development
Multichannel selling helps retailers optimise sales by expanding product availability and giving consumers the flexibility to shop when and how they want.
Retailers are no longer limited to local customers, and online sales open up entirely new demographics of potential buyers.
By diversifying online marketing efforts, retailers can maximise visibility, drive sales, and build customer loyalty in a competitive marketplace.
With global ecommerce sales projected to reach $6.3 trillion in 2024, tapping into new marketplace platforms is essential for success.
However, managing multiple sales channels can become complex quickly. Whether retailers are listing products on major marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, running their own online store, or maintaining a strong presence on social media, keeping everything in sync can be challenging.
This is where Linnworks comes in. Its platform simplifies multichannel management by integrating all sales channels into one unified view.
With Linnworks, retailers can streamline inventory, automate order processing, and gain real-time visibility across all platforms, ensuring operations run smoothly and efficiently no matter how many marketplaces they engage with.
By consolidating data and workflows, Linnworks helps businesses stay competitive, scale faster, and deliver a seamless shopping experience.
How Spreetail achieved 6x growth in Europe
Spreetail, a full-service ecommerce acceleration partner, used Linnworks’ warehouse management solutions to launch their European Distribution Centre within a tight three-week timeframe.
Speed of implementation was critical, and Linnworks played a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth and rapid setup.
Spreetail’s CEO, Mehmetcik Kalay, highlighted the importance of complete data visibility across their operations: “Having end-to-end data visibility was a critical point for me.
"I need to see how much we sold yesterday, at what margin, and the price positioning. With Linnworks, we have 100% visibility and transparency, enabling us to pinpoint inefficiencies and eliminate costs from the system."
This real-time insight allowed Spreetail to scale rapidly, achieving sixfold growth in Europe by optimising processes and driving profitability.
Hybrid retail offering
The trend towards hybrid retailing—where online-only retailers expand into physical stores—reflects the evolving demands of modern consumers.
Brands that began exclusively online are now opening brick-and-mortar locations to offer a more immersive, hands-on shopping experience.
For example, Wayfair aims to replicate IKEA’s in-store experience, while Gymshark has opened a store on Regent Street in central London.
This reverse development allows digital-first companies to strengthen their brand presence, cater to shoppers who prefer in-person interactions, and offer services such as same-day collection or in-store returns.
By blending the convenience of ecommerce with the tactile benefits of physical stores, retailers can create a seamless, omnichannel experience that boosts customer engagement and loyalty.
But how can warehouse operations manage such a complex offering? Sales channel integration software allows businesses to control their entire ecommerce operation from a centralised hub.
Management software like Linnworks connects all platforms—from marketplaces to social media channels—ensuring products are consistently represented and easily managed.
Channel Integration
Linnworks provides integrations with major marketplaces and channels, such as Amazon, eBay, Etsy, TikTok Shop, Shopify, and Magento, among many others.
All product information is shared across channels, ensuring accurate data delivery every time.
A case in point is the US activewear brand Flag Nor Fail, which encountered inventory management issues, particularly with their Shopify account.
They implemented Linnworks to take control of their inventory. Gerard, the company’s founder, remarked: “Linnworks has been a game-changer for us. Now, when we walk into our warehouse, everything flows as it should.
"We no longer face daily fires related to inventory inaccuracies, which has significantly reduced stress and increased productivity.”
Orders can be automatically routed to the most appropriate fulfilment strategy, whether that’s a warehouse, a 3PL provider, or a channel-specific fulfilment option such as Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA).
Automated systems can also send notifications at key stages, including order confirmation, dispatch, and expected delivery times, saving time and improving accuracy.
Finding the right partner for your warehouse management solutions
Choosing the right multichannel ecommerce software is like finding the perfect partner for your business.
Key considerations include seamless integration with various sales channels, efficient inventory and order management, and comprehensive analytics and reporting capabilities.
Automation and workflow management should be highly efficient, which is why automation tools that handle repetitive tasks are essential.
Is the system intuitive and user-friendly? What level of customer support and training is available?
Scalability is another crucial factor—you need software that grows with your business. Additionally, security, data encryption, and compliance should be a given.
Investing in the best multichannel ecommerce software can transform your operations, keeping your business running smoothly as it expands.