Client Overview
Your Reformer is a leading provider of Pilates equipment. Operating in a competitive fitness market, they required advanced ecommerce solutions to handle complex shipping logistics, order management, and customised storefronts. First Light partnered with Your Reformer to optimise their Shopify Plus based operations, improving efficiency, accuracy, and user experience.
Challenges
- Complex Shipping Requirements: Managing deliveries from two fulfilment locations for oversized products. Shipments to specific postcodes used in-house valet delivery vehicles, while others relied on third-party carriers for door-to-door or depot options, with varying rates. In addition to this customers have the option to pick up from the two closest depots to their home address.
- Manual Order Holds: Pre-orders and "YR Finance" payment options necessitated manual order holds and releases, leading to fulfilment inaccuracies and uncertainty about stock availability.
- Customised Online Storefront: Needed a bespoke theme to accommodate unique product pricing and inclusions based on payment methods, along with tailored display features.
- B2B Store Integration: Required a B2B theme similar to Shopify's "Trade" template, but integrated into the same instance as their direct-to-consumer (D2C) Australian store, leveraging Shopify Plus native B2B capabilities.
Solutions Delivered by First Light
Custom Shipping Application
We developed a tailored carrier service application integrated with Shopify's delivery constraints and the Google Maps API. This enabled dynamic shipping options based on product size, location, and fulfilment centre:
- Automated postcode-specific valet deliveries using in-house vehicles.
- Integrated third-party carriers for remaining shipments, with options for door delivery or nearest depot.
- Applied variable rates accurately at checkout, ensuring seamless order processing and real-time information for customers.
Automated Order Hold Management
To eliminate manual processes, we implemented an automation solution using Shopify Flow combined with a custom application:
- Orders on pre-order are automatically held.
- Upon stock arrival, pre-orders are released in chronological order (oldest to newest), reducing errors and providing clear visibility into fulfilable inventory.
Custom Theme Development for Online Store
Working from design files provided by Your Reformer's team, we built a fully custom Shopify theme:
- Incorporated unique product handling logic to adjust prices and bundled items dynamically based on selected payment methods.
- Added bespoke display features to enhance product presentation and user engagement.
Custom Theme Development for B2B Store
We created a specialised B2B theme inspired by Shopify's "Trade" template, optimised for seamless operation on the same Shopify Plus instance as the D2C store:
- Leveraged native Shopify Plus B2B tools to address wholesale-specific needs, such as tiered pricing, bulk ordering, and account management.
- Ensured consistent branding and functionality across both D2C and B2B channels without requiring separate instances.
Results and Impact
- Improved Operational Efficiency: Automation reduced manual interventions, minimising errors in shipping and order fulfilment.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: Accurate shipping quotes and dynamic storefronts led to smoother checkouts and higher satisfaction.
- Scalable Growth: The integrated solutions supported Your Reformer's expansion, handling increased order volumes without compromising performance.
- Business Outcomes: Streamlined processes resulted in faster deliveries, better inventory management, and a unified platform for both consumer and business sales.
This project showcases First Light's expertise in Shopify customisation, API integrations, and e-commerce automation, helping Your Reformer thrive in a demanding market. Contact us to discuss how we can transform your software needs.
