Top 10 key factors to consider when choosing a UK 3PL fulfilment partner

Whether you’re a fast-growing ecommerce brand or an established retailer expanding into the UK and EU, selecting the right third-party logistics (3PL) provider is critical to success. The right UK 3PL can enhance customer satisfaction, streamline operations and support scalable, cross-border growth.

 Why UK fulfilment matters

• 62+ million UK ecommerce users expected by 2025
• Largest ecommerce market in Europe, and 4^th largest in the world
• £70 billion+ annual UK ecommerce revenue
• Top ecommerce categories: Fashion (28.4%), Electronics (16.5%) and Hobby & Leisure (15.6%)

In such a competitive and high-volume market, partnering with a reliable, tech-enabled and strategically located 3PL is essential. The complexity of today's supply chains, particularly in the wake of Brexit and increasing customer expectations for fast, flexible delivery, means that choosing the right UK logistics partner can make or break a brand's success. Here’s what to look for when selecting a 3PL fulfilment partner in the UK and how Metro Supply Chain leads the way.

1. Strategic 3PL warehouse locations across the UK

 The physical location of your fulfilment partner’s warehouses is important. When choosing a 3PL, look for a partner with sites near key roads and transport networks across the United Kingdom. 

Benefits of strategic warehouse placement:

• Reduced last-mile delivery times
• Lower shipping costs
• Faster returns processing

Metro Supply Chain operates across key Midlands and port-centric locations, enabling us to offer strategic services, helping customers accelerate speed to market through late cut-offs, optimize lead times and extend their reach into the UK and EU markets.

2. Full-service UK 3PL fulfilment for D2C and B2B

A leading UK 3PL should offer end-to-end logistics services, including:

• Inventory and warehouse management
• Order fulfilment and packing
• Shipping, returns, repairs and refurbishment

Choosing a partner with robust operational capabilities across B2B, D2C and omnichannel models helps future-proof your business. Whether you're shipping to individual consumers, large retailers, or both, consistency and efficiency are key.

Metro Supply Chain supports seamless, scalable logistics solutions tailored to your business model. Our experienced teams provide dedicated account management and continuous operational improvement, allowing you to focus on sales and growth.

3. Amazon FBA integration and marketplace expertise

For Amazon sellers in the UK, working with a 3PL that supports FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon) and understands marketplace operations is key. This includes inventory preparation, labelling and delivery to Amazon fulfilment centres.

Metro Supply Chain manages:

• Inventory replenishment to Amazon FBA
• Direct-to-consumer fulfilment
• Seamless integration with marketplaces like Amazon, Shopify and eBay

With Metro Supply Chain as your logistics partner, you benefit from reduced stockouts, higher seller ratings and faster fulfilment times across multiple channels.

4. Returns management and value recovery

The “buy, try, return” culture has also become a more frequent habit amongst online shoppers. It is estimated that in the UK, one in three items bought online are returned. Approximately 80% of returns are due to product damage or defects, costing British retailers an estimated £7 billion a year. Many businesses facing high processing expenses resort to landfilling damaged or unwanted goods, highlighting the ongoing tension between cost and sustainability. This is why it is crucial to partner with a 3PL that will manage returns efficiently to help you recover maximum value.

Metro Supply Chain is tackling the returns issue head-on, managing reverse logistics for customers, as well as retailers and wholesalers. Our UK-based engineering and returns centres offer:

• Reverse logistics and returns processing
• In-house repair and refurbishment
• Product grading and resale services
• Product lifecycle analysis to reduce future returns

By identifying return trends and managing the value recovery process in-house, we help clients reduce waste, protect margins and improve customer satisfaction. Our sustainability-first approach to returns also supports your environmental goals.

5. Last-mile delivery and transportation across the UK & EU

Your UK 3PL should offer comprehensive transportation and last-mile delivery services, including:

• Freight management
• Carrier optimization
• Next-day and economy delivery options
• Real-time tracking and proof of delivery

Metro Supply Chain offers full end-to-end transportation solutions, including freight management and last-mile delivery. Metro Supply Chain uses carrier optimization and integrated tracking tools to ensure cost-effective, accurate and timely deliveries. Our multi-channel solutions provide real-time visibility, proof of delivery, and customizable reporting, supporting a reliable and efficient last-mile experience for your customers.

We work closely with trusted courier partners across the UK and Europe, offering both economy and next-day services. By leveraging established relationships and our economies of scale, we secure competitive rates that help reduce your overall cost to serve.

6. Technology, automation & platform integration

In today's ecommerce landscape, logistics operations are only as strong as the technology behind them. Look for a 3PL that offers:

• WMS and ERP integrations
• API connectivity with ecommerce platforms
• Real-time analytics, tracking and reporting
• Automated order fulfilment and inventory control

Metro Supply Chain leverages advanced technology and seamless integrations to drive efficiency and visibility across the supply chain. Our systems provide tracking, data analytics, and customizable reporting to support informed decision-making. We integrate effortlessly with leading ecommerce platforms, WMS and ERP systems, ensuring smooth data flow across operations. Through automation in areas such as order processing, inventory management, and fulfilment, we reduce errors and costs, accelerating speed to market and enhancing overall performance.

7. Scalability to support rapid growth

Your logistics partner must be able to scale with your brand, especially during peak seasons, product launches or international expansion. This includes flexible storage space, dynamic labour allocation and adaptable workflows.

Metro Supply Chain delivers:

• Elastic warehousing and workforce planning
• Seasonal scaling and promotions support
• Multisite fulfilment strategy for risk mitigation

We understand that agility and responsiveness are key to maintaining service levels while growing. Whether you're doubling SKUs or entering a new market, we're ready to scale with you.

8. Post-Brexit shipping & customs compliance

International shipping and regulatory compliance have become significantly more complex for UK retailers, particularly in the post-Brexit landscape. 

International shipping challenges include:

• Increased customs delays
• VAT changes
• Shifting documentation requirements increasing the cost and complexity of cross-border trade
• Some retailers even ceasing sales to EU markets due to excessive red tape 

Working with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider that combines global reach with local expertise is now essential. Metro Supply Chain offers this balance, delivering international capabilities while navigating the specific regulatory and logistical challenges faced by UK businesses. Our fulfilment centres specialize in cross-border shipping and customs compliance, providing a seamless customer experience across international markets. 

Metro Supply Chain provides deep local expertise in the UK, but at the same time, Metro Supply Chain’s expansive global network enables seamless international reach, supporting cross-border growth into the EU, North America, and other key markets.

9. Sustainable logistics and eco-friendly 3PL practices

Sustainability is now a key factor in choosing a 3PL. Look for providers with green operations and eco-conscious delivery solutions. 

Metro Supply Chain prioritizes:

• Recyclable and low-impact packaging
• Route optimisation to reduce emissions
• Energy-efficient buildings and operations
• Circular economy practices (repair, resale and refurbish)

We help brands meet both customer expectations and government regulations around emissions, packaging waste and carbon reduction. Our sustainability strategies are embedded into every step of the supply chain.

10. Continuous innovation and supply chain agility

It’s important to work with a UK 3PL fulfilment partner who practices continuous evaluation and adoption of modern technologies, workflows, and customer service practices to ensure that businesses remain agile and competitive. Innovation is not a one-time investment but an ongoing commitment.

A future-focused 3PL must invest in innovation and continuous improvement to help customers stay competitive. This includes regularly updating technologies, workflows and customer service models. 

Metro Supply Chain drives innovation through:

• Smart automation and robotics
• Custom logistics solutions
• Real-time tracking
• Dashboards and analytics
• Agile processes to respond to market changes

Continuous improvement is embedded in our DNA. Our teams challenge the status quo, collaborate across functions, and adapt quickly to provide smarter, faster, cost-effective, and sustainable logistics solutions.

Grow your brand in the UK with confidence

Choosing the right 3PL in the UK means more than outsourcing logistics; it’s about creating a strategic partnership that powers long-term growth. 

Metro Supply Chain helps retailers and ecommerce brands scale smarter, serve customers faster and expand into the UK, EU and global markets with confidence. We bring together strategic warehouse placement, cutting-edge technology and customer-centric service to build competitive fulfilment solutions.

Whether you're an Amazon seller, a sustainable brand or a D2C disruptor, we provide the expertise, infrastructure and scalability you need to succeed in the UK logistics landscape.

Ready to scale with a trusted UK 3PL partner?

Contact Metro Supply Chain today to optimise your UK logistics, improve delivery performance, lower costs and unlock new growth opportunities.