Landing a retailer or distributor is a milestone. Shipping to them correctly is what keeps the account. We handle purchase orders, routing guides and shelf-life requirements from the same inventory that serves your DTC customers.
What retailers expect from supplement shipments
Natural-channel stores, specialty nutrition chains, grocery, pharmacy and big-box retailers each publish requirements for how vendors ship to them. These routing guides cover case pack configurations, carton and pallet labels, pallet height and build, appointment scheduling, paperwork and delivery windows.
For supplements, retailers commonly add a minimum remaining shelf life at receipt, and they may reject or charge back shipments that arrive with dates too close. Expiration dates and lot codes usually need to be visible on cases as well as units.
Missing any of these details can trigger chargebacks, refused deliveries or deductions from your invoice. Our retail process starts with the routing guide for each account and turns it into a checklist the floor follows on every purchase order.
EDI, ASNs and GS1-128 labels
Most larger retailers and distributors exchange orders and shipping information through EDI. Common documents include the purchase order (850), advance ship notice (856) and invoice (810), along with acknowledgments.
We can receive purchase orders, ship against them and send accurate advance ship notices that match what is physically on the truck, including carton-level detail when the retailer requires it. GS1-128 shipping labels with serial shipping container codes are applied to cartons and pallets so the receiving dock can scan rather than count.
If you already use an EDI provider, we work with your setup. If you are new to EDI, we will explain what your retailer is asking for during scoping so there are no surprises on the first order.
Case packs, pallets and freight
Retail orders move in cases and pallets, not single units. We pick by case where possible, break cases into inner packs or eaches when a smaller account needs them, and build pallets to the height, weight and labeling requirements in the routing guide.
Shipments go out by LTL, full truckload or small parcel depending on size and the retailer's instructions. When the retailer controls freight, we schedule pickups with their carrier; when you control freight, we can compare options and book it.
Our 25 U.S. markets let you place retail inventory near distribution centers you ship to most, which can reduce transit time and freight cost compared with shipping every purchase order from a single coast.
Shelf-life minimums by account
Each retailer or distributor can have a different shelf-life requirement. We store those as rules by account so the pick only releases lots that meet them. If no lot on hand qualifies, the order is flagged before it ships, not after it is refused at the dock.
This works together with FEFO on your other channels. Lots with the most remaining life go to accounts that require it, while slightly older lots serve DTC and subscription customers who are happy with a reasonable date. The goal is simple: every account receives what it requires and you sell every unit before it expires.
Each outbound purchase order records the lots shipped, so a retailer's question about a specific case can be answered from the shipment record.
What's included
- Routing guide checklists by retail account
- EDI 850, 856 and 810 support
- GS1-128 carton and pallet labels
- Case pick, inner pack and each-level breakdown
- LTL, truckload and parcel shipping
- Shelf-life minimums enforced per account
- Lot records on every purchase order
Frequently asked questions
Can you ship supplements to retail distribution centers?
Yes. We fulfill retail and wholesale purchase orders following each retailer's routing guide, including case packs, pallet builds, GS1-128 labels, appointments and advance ship notices.
Do you support EDI?
Yes. We support common EDI documents such as the 850 purchase order, 856 advance ship notice and 810 invoice, and we can work with your existing EDI provider.
How do you handle retailer shelf-life requirements?
We store each account's minimum remaining shelf life as a rule, so only qualifying lots are picked. If none qualify, the order is flagged before it ships.
Can DTC and retail share the same inventory?
Yes. One inventory pool serves both, with lots allocated so retail accounts get the dates they require and DTC customers receive the next-oldest acceptable stock.