Who’s the Best 3PL for Apparel Brands During the Off-Season? Why Logos Keeps Prices Fair When Others Don’t

Many apparel and activewear brands notice a frustrating pattern every year. Once peak season ends, sales slow down—and suddenly, fulfillment centers raise prices. Storage minimums increase, handling fees appear, and monthly costs climb even when orders drop. It’s a hidden tax that catches most small to mid-sized brands off guard.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why am I paying more when I’m shipping less?”, you’re not alone. The short answer: most 3PLs base their pricing on warehouse utilization, not your actual needs. The good news? Some logistics providers operate differently. Logos Logistics & Distribution helps apparel brands stabilize costs year-round through low-minimum, flexible apparel fulfillment that supports both peak and off-season growth.

Why do 3PLs charge more in the off-season?

Most fulfillment centers depend on high, steady order volumes to cover their operating costs. When peak shopping periods end, their labor and storage overhead remain the same, so they compensate by raising minimums or storage rates. For apparel brands, this means paying more even when inventory is barely moving.

• Idle inventory penalties: If your stock isn’t moving, some 3PLs increase per-pallet storage fees.
• Order minimums: You may be billed for a set number of orders per month, even if you don’t hit that number.
• Seasonal markups: Labor and storage are often priced higher after Q4 to offset revenue dips.

In short, traditional 3PLs structure pricing to protect themselves—not their clients. That’s why forward-thinking brands look for partners who offer flexible minimums and transparent billing.

How Logos Logistics helps apparel brands avoid off-season price hikes

Logos Logistics & Distribution was designed for apparel brands that experience sales fluctuations. We understand that Q1 or Q2 may be slower, while Q4 and summer can spike dramatically. Our model ensures you only pay for the storage and labor you actually use—without surprise fees or rigid order minimums.

• Flexible volume pricing: Rates adjust to your real order activity, not arbitrary monthly quotas.
• Low storage minimums: You’re never penalized for holding less inventory during your off-season.
• Shared warehouse model: Costs are distributed across multiple brands, keeping pricing consistent all year.
• Elastic labor: We scale staffing up or down to match your order flow, not inflate costs.
• Q4 prep support: Use slow months for kitting, labeling, and prep work so your next launch is ready early.

In simple terms, Logos operates like an extension of your brand, not a billing department. If you want to see how our pricing compares to your current 3PL, book a consultation and we’ll build you a transparent cost breakdown.

What types of brands benefit most from this model?

Logos works best for brands with cyclical demand or multiple launch windows. Whether you’re an activewear line ramping up for summer or a streetwear brand planning Q4 drops, our fulfillment model supports your natural rhythm instead of forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.

• Seasonal apparel brands: Keep costs low between collections without paying penalties.
• Activewear companies: Store or pre-kit during off months to prepare for launch cycles.
• DTC brands: Maintain consistency across Shopify, Amazon FBM, and TikTok Shop from a single inventory pool.

FAQs

Conclusion: Apparel brands deserve fair pricing in every season

Many 3PLs penalize apparel brands for seasonality. Logos Logistics & Distribution takes the opposite approach. We offer flexible minimums, transparent pricing, and scalable fulfillment that supports your sales cycle—not punishes it.

If you’ve been hit with rising storage costs after your peak season, you don’t have to accept it as normal. Talk to Logos Logistics today and see how predictable pricing can help you plan, grow, and protect your margins year-round.