JAXPORT service speeds up retail logistics for furniture freight

  • Home
  • >
  • Cargo Blog
  • >
  • JAXPORT service speeds up retail logistics for furniture freight
Article sped up retail logistics with JAXPORT import service
Jun 14, 2019 | Cargo Blog
2 MIN READ

Online furniture store Article was founded upon an appreciation of simplicity and efficiency.

In fact, one of the company’s core principles is “Be Direct.”

“We aim to draw the straightest possible line between two points,” the company tells consumers on its website, article.com.

When it came to delivering furniture manufactured in Asia to customers in the Southeast U.S., at first the “direct” route seemed to be from the U.S. West Coast or Northeast, but that route added miles and increased cost, compromising Article’s promise to deliver quickly. The need for efficiency was paramount, since Article charges a minimal $49 flat rate for shipping furniture, no matter how many pieces. For orders over $999, shipping is free for customers.

The solution? A new 300,000-square foot distribution center in Jacksonville, Florida. Article selected Jacksonville because of the ability to deliver to more than 70 million consumers within a day’s drive, said Aamir Baig, Article Co-Founder and CEO.

The new warehouse brings Article’s combined capacity to more than 1.1 million square feet—slightly larger than 19 NFL football fields. Article ships some 13,000 orders a month across North America out of its four DCs, with Jacksonville handling about a quarter of the internet retailer’s shipments.

Adding the Jacksonville warehouse was about more than expanding capacity; it also allowed Article to offer a better result for customers who craved Article’s modern furnishings.

“We’re always looking for ways to serve our customers better, and fast delivery is an important element to their experience,” Baig said. “We’ve been able to reduce delivery times in the Southeast region by three days since we opened the Jacksonville warehouse.”

We've been able to reduce delivery times in the Southeast region by three days since we opened the #Jacksonville warehouse. -Aamir Baig, @articlemodern Co-Founder and CEOClick To Tweet

The Jacksonville warehouse is not only an important addition to rapidly growing Article; it is yet another story solidifying the reputation of Jacksonville, Florida as a furniture hub. Furniture and home goods are among the top category of products imported through the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT).

“Like Article, many furniture importers are finding success at JAXPORT,” said Aisha Eccleston, JAXPORT’s Director, National Container Accounts. “Our port and service provider network performs well for retail logistics and furniture freight. Furthermore, companies like to expand their distribution network in a market that is familiar with their business and has a solid customer base.”

Eccleston notes Florida’s growing population growth as another factor. “Furniture retailers around the country are looking to the Southeast U.S. and Florida as they expand business,” she said. “With 21.6 million residents in the State of Florida, and more moving to the area each year, our state as well as the Southeast U.S. represents an attractive market to furniture retailers.”

Furniture retailers: Connect with JAXPORT’s commercial team to learn how to lower your overall cost to market by as much as 8 percent.