Type "UK fulfilment service" into Google and you'll get dozens of results that all sound roughly the same — same-day despatch, no minimums, transparent pricing. For a Shopify store owner trying to actually pick one, the sameness is the problem. The real differences only show up once you know what to ask, and most sellers find out the hard way, after they've already signed up.
Start with integration, not price
The single biggest quality signal for a Shopify-focused 3PL is whether they connect directly to your store or expect you to export order files manually. Direct integration means an order placed on your store lands in the fulfilment centre's picking queue automatically, usually within minutes — no CSV exports, no re-keying addresses, no lag between a sale and it being picked. If a provider talks about "sending us your orders" rather than "connecting your store," that's worth pressing on before you go any further.
What Shopify fulfilment actually costs
Pricing structures vary more than sellers expect. Most UK 3PLs charge based on some combination of storage space used and per-order picking and packing fees, rather than one flat number — which makes quotes genuinely hard to compare unless you ask for a full breakdown covering storage, pick and pack, and any despatch or platform fees, rather than a single headline figure. Ask specifically whether returns processing, kitting or bundle assembly, and branded packaging are included or charged separately — these are the line items that turn a competitive-looking quote into an expensive surprise on your first invoice.
Minimum order volumes — the trap that catches growing brands
Some providers only take on brands above a set monthly order volume, which locks out exactly the growing Shopify sellers who need fulfilment support most — you're too big to keep packing boxes yourself, but not yet big enough to meet their threshold. Look specifically for a provider who'll take you on from day one and grow with you, rather than one that treats a low volume as a reason to say no.
What "same-day despatch" actually means in practice
Almost every fulfilment provider claims fast despatch. Fewer explain what that promise actually depends on — a stated daily cut-off time, which carriers are used, and what happens specifically during a busy period like a sale or a viral moment. Ask what their despatch SLA looks like when volume triples in a week, not just on an average Tuesday. That's the scenario that actually tests whether the promise holds up.
Don't get locked into Shopify-only
Plenty of Shopify sellers eventually add a second channel — Amazon, eBay, TikTok Shop — and a fulfilment set-up that only works cleanly for Shopify becomes a genuine constraint the moment that happens. A 3PL that connects multiple platforms into one shared stock pool from the outset means you're not rebuilding your fulfilment operation from scratch the day you decide to expand beyond one channel.
Visit the warehouse before you sign anything
A provider confident in their operation will have no issue with you visiting in person, or at minimum showing you the facility properly on a call. Ask to see how orders are picked, how returns are handled, and where your stock will actually sit. A provider who's reluctant to show you their warehouse is telling you something worth listening to.
How Reilly's fits this
DespatchLab connects directly to Shopify — orders sync automatically, with no manual entry. Pricing is based on storage and orders fulfilled, with a full breakdown provided upfront rather than a single headline number. There's no minimum order volume, so we work with Shopify sellers from their first order through to thousands a month. And because DespatchLab also connects Amazon, eBay, TikTok Shop and WooCommerce, moving beyond Shopify later doesn't mean starting again.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to see how this works in practice?
Call 0116 444 0444 or visit our Shopify fulfilment page for a free quote.