Multi-Channel Fulfillment for Amazon Sellers: Ship from One Inventory

The Multi-Channel Reality

Most successful sellers don't sell on just Amazon. They're also on:

• Shopify (own website)
• eBay
• Walmart
• Etsy
• Facebook/Instagram Shops

But managing inventory and fulfillment across channels is complex.

The Multi-Channel Challenges

Inventory Sync Issues:

• Overselling (sold on two channels, one item left)
• Underselling (stock not updated, lose sales)
• Ghost inventory (shows available, actually sold)

Fulfillment Complexity:

• Different shipping requirements per channel
• Multiple dashboards to check
• Easy to miss orders
• Inconsistent tracking uploads

Multi-Channel Fulfillment Options

Option 1: Amazon MCF (Multi-Channel Fulfillment)

Use FBA inventory to fulfill orders from other channels.

Pros:

• Amazon's fulfillment network
• Fast shipping
• No separate inventory

Cons:

• Expensive ($4-10+ per unit beyond FBA fee)
• Amazon branding on packages
• Limited customization
• Some channels prohibit (Walmart)

Option 2: Self-Fulfillment (FBM) for All Channels

Fulfill all channels from your own warehouse.

Pros:

• One inventory system
• Full control
• Lower per-unit cost
• Custom branding

Cons:

• More work
• Need warehouse space
• Must handle all shipping

Option 3: 3PL Multi-Channel

Use a third-party logistics provider that integrates all channels.

Pros:

• Professional fulfillment
• Multi-channel support
• Scalable

Cons:

• Per-unit fees
• Less control
• Setup complexity

Setting Up Multi-Channel with Atoship

One Dashboard for All Channels:

Connect All Stores

• Amazon → Atoship
• Shopify → Atoship
• eBay → Atoship
• Other channels → Atoship

Unified Order View

• All orders in one dashboard
• Filter by channel
• Batch process together

Ship with Best Rates

• Same rate shopping across all orders
• No premium for multi-channel

Inventory Management Strategy

Centralized Inventory:

Total Stock: 100 units
Allocation:
Amazon (FBM): 40%
Shopify: 30%
eBay: 20%
Buffer: 10%

Reorder point: When total drops to 25 units

Safety Stock Calculation:

Daily sales (all channels): 10 units
Lead time to restock: 7 days
Safety factor: 1.5
Safety stock = 10 × 7 × 1.5 = 105 units

Channel-Specific Requirements

Amazon:

• VTR 95%+ required
• Specific return policy
• Tracking must sync quickly

eBay:

• Tracking required for seller protection
• Specific handling time promises
• eBay labels optional

Shopify:

• Your policies
• Your branding
• Tracking syncs automatically

Walmart:

• Cannot use Amazon MCF!
• Strict on-time delivery
• Specific packaging rules

Workflow Optimization

Morning Routine:

Check all channel orders (Atoship dashboard)

Prioritize by promise date

Batch print labels by carrier

Pick and pack

Carrier pickup

Order Prioritization:

Batch Processing Across Channels

In Atoship:

Filter: All channels, status "Ready to Ship"

Select all orders

Auto-assign best carrier/rate

Bulk purchase labels

Print in batch

Tracking auto-syncs to each channel

Time Savings:

• Without Atoship: 3-5 min per order
• With Atoship: 30 sec per order
• 100 orders/day saves: 4+ hours daily

Handling Returns Multi-Channel

Return Considerations:

Unified Return Address: Use one return address for all channels to simplify processing.

Reporting and Analytics

Track by Channel:

Common Multi-Channel Mistakes

❌ Not syncing inventory fast enough Solution: Real-time or near-real-time sync

❌ Different prices across channels Solution: Pricing strategy accounting for fees

❌ Missing channel-specific requirements Solution: Document and follow each channel's rules

❌ Manual order processing Solution: Automate with Atoship

Scaling Multi-Channel Operations

Stage 1: 1-100 orders/day

• DIY fulfillment feasible
• Use Atoship for efficiency
• Home or small warehouse

Stage 2: 100-500 orders/day

• Dedicated staff needed
• Consider 3PL for some channels
• Warehouse management system

Stage 3: 500+ orders/day

• Full 3PL or large warehouse
• Advanced WMS required
• Multiple fulfillment locations

Technology Stack

Essential Tools:

Case Study: Multi-Channel Success

Before:

• Amazon only: 300 orders/month
• One channel, limited growth

After Adding Channels:

• Amazon: 300 orders/month
• Shopify: 150 orders/month
• eBay: 100 orders/month
• Total: 550 orders/month (+83%)

Fulfillment Cost:

• Before: $4.50/order (Amazon only)
• After: $4.35/order (Atoship multi-channel)
• Saved: $0.15/order × 550 = $82.50/month

Revenue increase: $12,000/month Net profit increase: $4,500/month

Getting Started

Week 1:

• Sign up for Atoship
• Connect Amazon
• Test workflow

Week 2:

• Add Shopify/eBay
• Unify inventory view
• Train on new workflow

Week 3:

• Go live multi-channel
• Monitor closely
• Optimize as needed

The Multi-Channel Advantage

Selling across multiple channels:

• Reduces platform dependency
• Reaches more customers
• Increases overall sales
• Spreads risk

With Atoship, multi-channel fulfillment is simple:

• One dashboard for all orders
• Best shipping rates everywhere
• Automatic tracking sync
• Consistent process

Start your multi-channel journey with Atoship's unified fulfillment solution.