About Julie & Grace
Julie & Grace is an online jewelry company based in Germany. The company sells exclusively online, through its own shop and well-known marketplaces in Europe. The product range includes more than 7,000 products under five proprietary brands; the genuine jewelry is available in over 30 countries. In Switzerland, the brands have been represented on Zalando, Galaxus, and Manor since 2021.
Facts and figures
- Industry: Jewelry
- Focus: Genuine jewelry under five proprietary brands
- Distribution: Online (Shop & Marketplaces)
- Headquarters: Germany
- Target Countries: Switzerland
- Solution: Fulfillment CH, Returns CH
The strategy:
Accessing Swiss marketplaces without compromising security and service
In 2020, Julie & Grace decided to expand its business into Switzerland. Zalando’s marketplace served as the first sales platform. If successful, further marketplaces were to follow. Therefore, a partner was needed for fulfillment and returns who could comply with the marketplaces’ Service Level Agreements (SLA) and exchange data with multiple platforms.
A fulfillment center in the target market was the more sensible approach for Julie & Grace. The products have a low volume, making it difficult to fully load transporters across the border. With local processing, the jewelry can also be delivered the next day. And the security of the goods can be better guaranteed in a local warehouse.
Julie & Grace was looking for a solution that:
- offers reliable fulfillment and returns processing
- grows with the business and remains flexible
- complies with Zalando’s marketplace SLA
- connects marketplaces and webshop via an interface
- is connected to the local carrier network for parcel shipping
- provides full transparency over order processes and inventory levels
MS Direct met these requirements: with local fulfillment in Switzerland, a secured warehouse area, marketplace expertise, and an interface that MS Direct developed together with Tradebyte for Julie & Grace.
Sven Claussen
Senior Manager Marketplace & E-Commerce
Wir sind seit geraumer Zeit Partner von MS Direct und könnten nicht zufriedener sein. MS Direct kümmert sich um sämtliche logistischen Prozesse unserer Produkte und Bestellungen in der Schweiz und hat sich dabei als zuverlässiger Partner erwiesen. Die Lösungen bieten uns die Möglichkeit, auf dem Schweizer Markt zu agieren und MS Direct war jeher ein flexibler und sehr guter Ansprechpartner für unsere Bedürfnisse.
The solution:
Local fulfillment in Arbon with marketplace integration and returns processing.
MS Direct stores Julie & Grace’s items at its Arbon location and centrally processes orders from all Swiss platforms. A custom interface connects marketplaces and the webshop with the fulfillment center. MS Direct processes returns according to Julie & Grace’s specifications.
Integration:
- Interface developed by MS Direct together with Tradebyte
- Standardized product catalog at Tradebyte: Julie & Grace adapts the wording per marketplace without creating product duplicates
- Tradebyte translates marketplace order data into a standardized dataset for fulfillment
Goods receipt and storage:
- Storage of items at the MS Direct location in Arbon
- Julie & Grace’s storage area secured with lockable protective grilles
- Additional protection through video surveillance
- Dedicated teams for Julie & Grace items
Order processing:
- Orders from all Swiss platforms are consolidated uniformly and centrally at MS Direct
- Specially assigned picking teams for processing
- Compliance with marketplace SLA
Shipping and tracking:
- Connection to Swiss Post for delivery
- Delivery within the shortest possible time, according to Julie & Grace, as early as the next day
- Order status and shipments in real time via the API
Returns Management:
- Inspection within 24 hours according to Julie & Grace’s specifications for type, size, and damage
- Automatic synchronization of return data in real time
- Unusable returns are sent back to the forge for melting
Transparency and reporting:
- Real-time data transfer for inventory levels, order status, tracking, and returns
- Clarification case processing with photo for quick decision-making
The result:
Secure, scalable fulfillment for the Swiss market.
Julie & Grace now supplies the Swiss market via a local fulfillment and returns solution. Valuable goods are stored securely, marketplaces operate through a common process, and returns are processed quickly.
Security for high-value goods.
The jewelry is stored in a locked and video-monitored area. Specially assigned picking teams process the orders. This protects the goods from goods receipt to dispatch.
New marketplaces without additional effort.
All Swiss platforms are centrally connected to MS Direct via the interface with Tradebyte. Thanks to the fulfillment of high standards, new marketplaces with strict SLAs can be easily accessed.
Returns processed in 24 hours.
Returns are recorded and inspected within 24 hours of goods receipt. Refunds are initiated directly after the nightly data synchronization. Resalable items are immediately back in stock.
Real-time overview.
Julie & Grace sees order status and shipments in real time via the API. Order volume and inventory remain traceable at all times.
Do it like Julie & Grace!
„Would you also like to benefit from excellent local fulfillment and supply Switzerland as if it were your home market? I would be happy to advise you personally. “
Peter Egger
VP Growth