Ship-to-store
Ship-to-store lets consumers order online and have the item shipped from a warehouse to their local store for pickup, instead of to their home.
Definition
Ship-to-store (STS) is a fulfillment option where an online order is shipped from the retailer's warehouse to a store location chosen by the consumer, rather than to their home address. Once the shipment arrives at the store, the consumer picks it up there. This avoids home delivery shipping costs and lets consumers collect the order on their own schedule instead of waiting for a doorstep delivery.
Ship-to-store vs. click-and-collect
These two are frequently confused because both end with an in-store pickup, but they differ in one key way: product location at the time of order.
In practice, this distinction isn't always clean. Some click-and-collect orders also require shipping the item from a warehouse to the store first if it isn't already stocked there, which blurs the line between the two models depending on the retailer's inventory setup.
Benefits for consumers
- No shipping cost: avoids home delivery fees
- Flexible pickup timing: no need to be home for a delivery window
- See and touch before deciding: consumers can inspect the item in person and return it on the spot if unsatisfied
- Added incentives: some retailers offer discounts or loyalty points for choosing STS over home delivery
Benefits for retailers
- Lower shipping costs compared to last-mile home delivery
- More foot traffic: consumers visiting to collect an order are in the store and may purchase additional items
- Better use of store presence: orders can be fulfilled through existing store locations without requiring home-delivery infrastructure for every order
Ship-to-store in practice
STS depends on accurate coordination between the warehouse and the destination store. Store associates need advance visibility into what’s arriving and when, so they can check in the parcel and notify the consumer as soon as it’s ready for pickup. This is where Store Operations app comes in: incoming orders, check-in and pickup handover are managed in one place. Without reliable order routing and inventory tracking between warehouse and store, STS orders risk sitting unnoticed at the store or giving consumers inaccurate pickup estimates.