There’s no shortage of logistics providers promising CPG brands the moon. The pitch is polished. The rates sound unbeatable. The service? “Best in class.”
Some might call it love-bombing—and it usually comes from general (non-specialized) brokers.
General 3PLs Prioritize Their Own Bottom Line
But “the best” without data is just a tagline.
Over time, the shine wears off. The real priorities surface. It’s not about building something sustainable. It’s about capturing as much freight as possible, as quickly as possible—sometimes even at the client’s expense. Volume over vigilance. Speed over strategy.
We’ve watched it happen. Brands get drawn in by the promise of greener grass and lower costs, only to find hidden fees creeping in, late deliveries stacking up, and on-shelf gross profit quietly eroding. The savings they were sold start to evaporate. And the service they once relied on? Gone.
Because for some 3PLs, clients are transactions. There’s no deep dive into the nuances of a product line. No thoughtful strategy tailored to a brand’s growth stage. No long-term investment in the relationship. Just another shipment in the system.
Zipline Logistics Prioritizes YOUR Bottom Line
That’s not how we operate.
At Zipline Logistics, partnership isn’t a pitch, it’s a practice. We study the details. We build strategies around real data. We protect margins like they’re our own. And we invest in relationships with the long view in mind, because sustainable growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens on purpose.
Zipline Logistics’ key differentiators are:
- We are experts in retail logistics and exclusively service CPG brands shipping into retail.
- We’re a logistics solutions provider, not just a rate and a truck.
- We genuinely care about and invest in CPG brands’ success.
Data-Backed Retail Expertise
And don’t worry–we put data where our mouth is.
Just ask our clients: retail-specialized 3PL like Zipline adds value that a general 3PL can’t.
General 3PL vs. Zipline Logistics
General 3PL Zipline Logistics
Items Shipped Anything and everything CPG only
Familiarity with Retail Delivery Compliance & Nuances Low Expert
Carrier Network Cheapest carriers that allow 3PL to maximize their own margin Hand-picked carriers vetted to haul retail goods specifically
On-Time Delivery Rate 77% 95%
Fines and Fees Incurred on Retail Deliveries High Low
Even companies with huge supply chain departments see the value a retail-specialized 3PL adds. This love story tells the tale of two multibillion-dollar retailers in the United States whose growth and success are attributed in part to Zipline’s retail logistics expertise. Since partnering with us, one retailer has blossomed from an up-and-coming brand into a national favorite. Another has seen their revenue grow by close to $3.5 Billion.
Zipline processes were built specifically to resolve the most critical logistics challenges faced by companies shipping into retail. 97% of our orders end up on retailer’s shelves such as Walmart, Costco, Bath & Body Works, Whole Foods, and Best Buy. This means we are experts in navigating retail delivery nuances that often waste shippers’ time and money. This offers a competitive advantage that maximizes each brand’s gross profit.
Logistics Solutions Provider
Your logistics partners should not just be a rate and a truck. They should be strategic experts able to tailor a game plan to eliminate your pain points in a way that best suits your specific schedules and operation requirements.
We have seen companies thrive first-hand when they trust us to find creative and better ways to tackle transportation. We have also seen others miss out on golden opportunities because they are unwilling to make changes or be coachable.
The table below demonstrates the amount of savings available to companies who understand that not all logistics partners are the same.
Who you trust with your freight directly impacts on-time delivery performance. The industry average sits around 77%, whereas a quality partner like Zipline promises 95% of shipments end up on a retail shelf on-time and in-full. Assuming a CPG brand generates $1 million in annual revenue at a 45% gross margin, they can expect $346,500 in gross profit when they partner with a general 3PL focused on the number of transactional lanes they can score.
These kinds of brokers are rate chasing just like the brands they service, putting quality and timely delivery on the backburner. What companies might be saving up front by selecting a cheap option quickly catches up to them when they add up late delivery fines, damaged or ruined goods, and missed revenue due to out-of-stocks.
Zipline can offer the same brand $81,000 in transportation costs savings through 95% on-time delivery performance. Also important to note: CPG companies usually budget 7-9% of their gross profit toward transportation spend. For a $1MM company, that’s between $70,000-and $90,000. If they master on-time delivery, that $81,000 in savings can cover that cost altogether.
We Care About CPG Brands’ Success
While general 3PLs are focused on their own bottom line and simply moving as much freight as possible, Zipline prefers to build real relationships with the brands we service and continually invest in their success.
Rather than relying on a single point of contact, every Zipline customer is assigned to a team of experienced logistics consultants. That means your operations won’t be disturbed by account manager turnover, you’ll always be paired with an industry veteran, and multiple people will be available to answer your questions whenever you need help.
These teams are measured and compensated based on their ability to reach customer performance metrics like on-time delivery performance, hitting MABDs, and meeting retail compliance. Your goals and our goals are truly aligned.
We also frequently attend and sponsor events that showcase and empower the CPG community, like Natural Products Expos and the Specialty Food Association’s Fancy Food Shows.
Take Your CPG Brand to the Next Level
Stop letting general 3PLs waste your time and money.
Our data-backed retail expertise, creative logistics solutions that maximize your gross profit, and genuine interest in your success (not just ours) can take your brand to the next level.
Let us personalize a plan of action just for you.
