Article Takeaways
- A smart warehouse location strategy speeds up eCommerce delivery
- Proximity to customers reduces transit time and shipping costs
- Access to key transport hubs supports fast, reliable fulfilment
- Labour availability and scalable facilities impact performance
- EU and UK network coverage helps navigate post-Brexit logistics
- Smart tech enables efficient inventory distribution across sites
- Sustainability is built into Green Fulfilment’s location planning
- The right partner helps align location strategy with growth goals
Why Warehouse Location Matters in eCommerce Fulfilment
In today’s fast-paced eCommerce landscape, warehouse location is not just a logistical detail; it’s a strategic decision that directly impacts your business success. With customer expectations for rapid delivery continuously rising, where you store your products becomes increasingly crucial.
The importance of warehouse location significantly influences delivery times, shipping costs, and ultimately, customer satisfaction. Delivery speed is a key factor influencing consumer purchasing decisions in eCommerce. Studies show that consumers increasingly prioritise fast delivery when choosing where to shop online.
For eCommerce brands looking to scale operations while managing costs, working with a fulfilment partner who understands strategic location planning can substantially improve performance metrics across the board.
What is a Warehouse Location Strategy?
A warehouse location strategy is a methodical approach to determining the optimal placement of distribution facilities based on business objectives, customer demographics, and logistical requirements. It’s about finding the right balance between accessibility, cost-efficiency, and speed.
A well-planned strategy considers not just where your customers are today, but where your business is heading. For growing eCommerce brands, this often means adopting a decentralised fulfilment approach, utilising multiple strategically placed facilities across the UK or internationally to reduce transit times and shipping costs.
The importance of distribution centres strategically positioned near major population centres creates the foundation for effective delivery optimisation. Similarly, the importance of stock location in a warehouse itself plays a vital role in operational efficiency, allowing for faster picking and packing processes.
6 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Warehouse Location
1. Proximity to Your Customer Base
Placing warehouse facilities closer to where your customers live dramatically reduces delivery times. Central England, for example, is strategically positioned to provide nationwide coverage, enabling next-day delivery to the majority of UK addresses.
This proximity not only speeds up delivery but also contributes to shipping time reduction and lower carbon emissions, a win for your business, your customers, and the planet.
2. Transport Infrastructure
Access to major transport networks is essential for efficient fulfilment. The ideal warehouse location offers convenient connections to:
- Motorway networks for nationwide distribution
- Shipping ports for international imports and exports
- Airports for urgent deliveries
- Urban centres for reliable last-mile delivery
A warehouse situated near key transport hubs can significantly reduce transit times and improve delivery consistency.
3. Labour Availability
A successful fulfilment operation relies on a skilled, reliable workforce. When selecting a warehouse location, consider the local labour market and the availability of workers with relevant experience.
At Green Fulfilment, we prioritise a people-first approach, resulting in industry-leading low staff turnover rates. This stability translates to consistent service quality and operational knowledge retention, factors that directly impact your customer experience.
4. Facility Capabilities and Scalability
The physical attributes of a warehouse facility matter tremendously when planning for growth. Consider:
- Sufficient space for current operations with room to expand
- Appropriate ceiling heights and floor loading capacities
- Security features and systems
- Modern infrastructure that supports automation
Sustainability features such as LED lighting, renewable energy sources, and proper insulation also contribute to both environmental goals and operational cost savings.
5. Local and International Reach
The ability to serve multiple regions efficiently can be a significant competitive advantage. A strategically positioned network of fulfilment centres allows you to:
- Offer faster delivery to customers across various regions
- Split inventory to reduce delivery distances
- Maintain service levels during seasonal peaks
For businesses with European customers, having fulfilment capacity in both the UK and EU has become particularly important post-Brexit, helping to avoid cross-border delays and additional customs costs.
6. Costs and Business Incentives
While location considerations often focus on operational benefits, the financial aspects cannot be ignored. Different regions offer varying:
- Rental and property costs
- Local taxation rates
- Government incentives for businesses
- Labour costs
The challenge lies in balancing these cost factors with the performance advantages of premium locations. Sometimes, a slightly higher facility cost can be offset by substantial savings in transport and improved customer satisfaction.
The Role of Warehouse Location in Delivery Speed
The connection between warehouse location and eCommerce delivery speed is direct and measurable. Consider this example: a UK fulfilment centre in a metropolitan area like London or Manchester can typically achieve same-day delivery to local customers and next-day delivery to most UK addresses. In contrast, a rural facility might struggle to match these timeframes due to longer last-mile delivery routes.
This disparity becomes particularly apparent during peak shopping periods. A strategically located warehouse network allows for:
- Shorter transit distances to end customers
- More frequent carrier collections
- Later order cut-off times for next-day delivery
- Reduced dependency on specific transport routes
These advantages translate directly to faster delivery times, which research shows increases customer satisfaction and significantly increases repeat purchase rates.
Green Fulfilment’s Location Strategy in Action
At Green Fulfilment, we’ve implemented a multi-centre approach designed to provide maximum coverage with minimal environmental impact. Our network of strategically positioned facilities across the UK and in the EU allows us to offer exceptional distribution network efficiency.
Through our integrated technology platform, we can intelligently allocate inventory across multiple locations, ensuring products are stored close to where they’re most likely to be ordered. This system enables us to:
- Minimise delivery distances
- Reduce carbon emissions
- Offer competitive delivery timeframes
- Maintain consistent service even during peak periods
Fulfilment centre location planning is central to our strategy for supporting client growth while maintaining our sustainability commitments.
Spotlight: Our Glasgow Fulfilment Centre
Our Glasgow fulfilment centre exemplifies our warehouse location strategy principles in action. Situated to serve Scotland and northern England efficiently, this facility offers:
- Rapid access to major Scottish cities and northern England
- Excellent connectivity via the M8 motorway corridor
- Reduced delivery timeframes for Scottish customers
- Lower carbon emissions through shorter delivery routes
The centre was designed with both operational efficiency and environmental responsibility in mind, featuring energy-efficient systems, waste reduction protocols, and renewable energy usage.
Sustainability and Smart Location Strategy
A thoughtful warehouse location strategy delivers more than just operational advantages, it’s fundamental to reducing environmental impact. By positioning fulfilment centres strategically, businesses can significantly reduce the distance products travel to reach customers.
At Green Fulfilment, our approach includes:
- Careful calculation of optimal facility locations to minimise transport distances
- Use of renewable energy across our warehouse network
- Implementation of paperless operations
- Commitment to recyclable and minimal packaging
- Investment in energy-efficient technology and systems
As a certified B Corp, these environmental and social responsibility commitments are built into our business model, not added as an afterthought.
Choosing a Fulfilment Partner That Prioritises Location and Speed
When selecting a logistics partner to support your business growth, consider how their warehouse location strategy aligns with your customer distribution and delivery expectations.
Look for providers that offer:
- Transparent reporting on delivery performance
- Multiple strategically located facilities
- Ability to scale operations with your business
- Commitment to sustainable practices
- Proven track record of reliability
At Green Fulfilment, we’re proud of our 95% customer satisfaction rate and our history of supporting businesses from the startup phase through to established growth. Our warehouse location strategy forms a core part of how we help clients meet and exceed customer expectations.
Curious how a tailored warehouse location strategy could speed up your deliveries? Explore our fulfilment centres or get in touch to find your perfect fit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Warehouse Location Strategy
How does warehouse location affect delivery times?
Warehouse location directly impacts how quickly orders reach customers. A facility positioned close to major population centres or transport hubs can offer same-day or next-day delivery to nearby areas, while more remote locations might require 2-3 days for standard delivery.
What’s the ideal location for an eCommerce fulfilment centre?
The ideal location depends on your customer base, but central sites with strong motorway links, like those in the Midlands, offer broad UK coverage. Brands with a large Scottish audience may benefit from an additional northern facility.
How many fulfilment centres does a typical eCommerce business need?
It depends on your volume and customer spread. Many start with one well-placed facility, but most growing UK brands benefit from 2–3 locations for better coverage and efficiency.
How can the warehouse location strategy reduce shipping costs?
Strategic placement shortens delivery routes, lowering transport costs. It can also unlock better carrier rates and lead to faster shipping, increasing customer satisfaction and repeat orders.