Some very powerful statistics show not only the growth of Amazon but the importance of Amazon Prime to both sellers and buyers – half of all web shoppers will go to Amazon to search for a product and there are over 100 million worldwide subscribers to Amazon Prime.

If you are into e-commerce as a core business or as a side hustle, you need to be into Amazon.

 

What started out as an online bookstore has redefined the way the world shops.

The company has recently increased workers pay to $15 an hour and they can well afford to.

As a seller, the Amazon Self Fulfilled Prime offering looks like the optimum platform but in order to qualify, in addition to having an Amazon Professional Seller Account, you need to have a warehouse facility in the UK.

That’s where TCB Group can help.

With warehousing facilities in Belfast and Liverpool, TCB Group already has a number of customers that specialise in e-commerce and who take full advantage of our fulfilment and replenishment services.

Our order fulfilment services are manageable online enabling you to create orders quickly and accurately and our same day pick, pack and dispatch services are also trackable online, giving you full visibility of every order and peace of mind knowing that your supply team is operating at an optimum level of efficiency.

Our team offers a return handling and reverse logistics service where required and late cut off for same day dispatch.

We will walk you through each step of the fulfilment process to help you successfully navigate and complete the mandatory 3 month trial period from Amazon.

And most of all, we will keep your customers happy.

TCB Group is one of the leading shipping and logistics companies in the UK and through our fulfilment service we can handle all your storage, order processing, labelling and dispatch, allowing you to concentrate on your core business.

The E-commerce Fulfilment Challenge

The explosive growth of e-commerce has transformed customer expectations. Today’s online shoppers expect:

  • Next-day or even same-day delivery options
  • Real-time tracking and updates
  • Perfect order accuracy
  • Sustainable packaging and shipping methods
  • Hassle-free returns processing

Meeting these expectations whilst maintaining profitability requires sophisticated fulfilment infrastructure that many businesses struggle to develop independently. This is particularly true for businesses targeting Amazon’s Seller Fulfilled Prime programme, which demands exceptionally high performance standards.

Understanding Seller Fulfilled Prime Requirements

Amazon’s Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP) programme allows sellers to display the Prime badge whilst maintaining control of their inventory. However, the performance requirements are stringent:

Delivery Performance

  • One-day and two-day delivery options must be offered
  • On-time delivery rate must exceed Amazon’s thresholds
  • Valid tracking must be provided for all orders

Operational Requirements

  • Weekend shipping capability
  • Late cut-off times for same-day dispatch
  • Premium shipping options at standard rates
  • Consistent performance across all metrics

Trial Period Success The mandatory trial period tests every aspect of your fulfilment operation. Success requires not just meeting targets but exceeding them consistently to secure programme approval.

Strategic Location Benefits

Our Belfast and Liverpool warehouses offer distinct advantages for e-commerce fulfilment:

Belfast Facility

  • Serves all of Ireland efficiently
  • Access to both UK and EU markets
  • Lower operational costs than London/Southeast
  • Direct ferry connections to GB mainland

Liverpool Warehouse

  • Central UK location reaches 75% of UK population overnight
  • Proximity to major carrier hubs
  • Direct motorway access (M62, M6, M58)
  • Port access for international inventory replenishment

Technology-Enabled Fulfilment

Modern e-commerce requires seamless technology integration:

Online Order Management

  • Real-time inventory visibility
  • Automated order routing
  • Multi-channel integration capabilities
  • Batch processing for efficiency

Track and Trace Systems

  • Customer portal access
  • Automated status updates
  • Exception management alerts
  • Proof of delivery capture

Inventory Management

  • Stock level monitoring
  • Automatic reorder points
  • SKU-level tracking
  • Batch and serial number management

Beyond Amazon: Multi-Channel Fulfilment

Whilst Amazon Prime compatibility is crucial, successful e-commerce businesses typically operate across multiple channels:

  • Direct-to-consumer websites
  • eBay and other marketplaces
  • Social commerce platforms
  • B2B fulfilment requirements
  • Wholesale distribution

Our fulfilment services support all channels from a single inventory pool, maximising efficiency and minimising stock holding requirements.

The Returns Challenge

E-commerce returns rates significantly exceed traditional retail, particularly in fashion and electronics. Effective returns management requires:

Reverse Logistics Capability

  • Prepaid returns labels generation
  • Multiple return options for customers
  • Quick processing upon receipt
  • Quality inspection procedures

Returns Processing

  • Rapid inspection and grading
  • Restocking of saleable items
  • Refurbishment coordination where applicable
  • Disposal or recycling of unsaleable items

Customer Communication

  • Automated return confirmations
  • Refund processing updates
  • Exchange coordination
  • Feedback collection for improvement

Scaling Your E-commerce Business

Professional fulfilment services enable scaling without proportional infrastructure investment:

Seasonal Flexibility E-commerce experiences dramatic seasonal peaks. Professional fulfilment provides capacity without year-round fixed costs.

Geographic Expansion Access new markets without establishing local operations. Our UK and Irish facilities enable expansion across these markets immediately.

Product Range Growth Add new product lines without warehouse reorganisation. Professional facilities handle diverse SKU requirements efficiently.

International Growth Through our Singapore and network partnerships, we support international expansion when you’re ready.

Cost Considerations

Professional fulfilment often proves more economical than in-house operations when considering:

  • Warehouse lease and utilities
  • Staff recruitment, training, and management
  • Technology systems and maintenance
  • Carrier negotiations and contracts
  • Peak capacity requirements
  • Returns processing costs

Complete E-commerce Fulfilment Solutions

TCB Group’s warehousing and fulfilment services provide the infrastructure and expertise needed for successful e-commerce operations, including Amazon Seller Fulfilled Prime qualification.

Warehousing & Fulfilment
Our Belfast and Liverpool facilities offer complete e-commerce fulfilment solutions. From receiving your inventory to dispatching customer orders, we manage the entire fulfilment process with technology-enabled efficiency and accuracy.

International Shipping Services
Expand beyond domestic markets with our international expertise. We manage customs, documentation, and delivery to customers worldwide, enabling global e-commerce growth from your UK or Irish base.

Freight Forwarding
Import inventory efficiently from global suppliers. Our freight forwarding services ensure your products reach our fulfilment centres cost-effectively, maintaining the stock levels needed for Prime-level service.

Freight Consolidation
Importing from multiple suppliers? Our consolidation services combine shipments for efficient inventory replenishment, reducing costs and simplifying your supply chain.

Freight Consultancy
Optimising e-commerce logistics requires expertise. Our consultancy team helps design fulfilment strategies, select appropriate service levels, and navigate marketplace requirements including Amazon’s Seller Fulfilled Prime programme.

Dangerous Goods Management
Selling products with batteries, aerosols, or other restricted items? Our certified dangerous goods handling ensures compliance with all regulations for storage and shipping.

Ready to Achieve Prime Performance?

Whether you’re preparing for Amazon Seller Fulfilled Prime, expanding your e-commerce operations, or seeking to improve fulfilment performance, TCB Group provides the infrastructure and expertise you need.

For more information on how we can add value to your supply chain, please get in contact here.