German online marketplace Kaufland is shutting down its fulfillment service, Fulfillment by Kaufland (FBK), just over a year after its launch. The service, introduced on February 12, 2023, will remain operational until February 28, 2025. After this date, products stored within the FBK network will be returned to sellers free of charge.

FBK Closure and Seller Impact

The decision to discontinue FBK was communicated to sellers through official notifications. Kaufland Global Marketplace also confirmed the move in LinkedIn messages. The company had initially positioned FBK as a cost-effective fulfillment option, aiming to attract merchants with competitive pricing for storage and processing. However, Kaufland has now decided to pivot its strategy, prioritizing a different approach to logistics.

For sellers relying on FBK, this change means they will need to arrange alternative fulfillment solutions before the February deadline. The marketplace has assured that there will be no additional costs for returning stored inventory. However, sellers must now reassess their logistics strategies to ensure continued order fulfillment.

A Shift Toward Multichannel Solutions

Despite shutting down FBK, Kaufland is not stepping away from logistics entirely. Instead, the company is working on an international multichannel fulfillment solution. While details are yet to be fully disclosed, the new approach is expected to provide sellers with greater flexibility in managing orders across multiple platforms and regions.

Kaufland Global Marketplace has been expanding its international reach, making it likely that the new fulfillment service will cater to sellers operating across multiple markets. This move aligns with broader trends in e-commerce, where many marketplaces are moving toward more integrated logistics networks that support sellers across various channels.

Marketplace Fulfillment Trends

Kaufland’s decision reflects the challenges that marketplaces face when running their own fulfillment services. While solutions like Amazon’s FBA and eBay’s fulfillment service remain dominant, many other platforms have struggled to maintain profitability in logistics. Fulfillment requires significant investment in warehousing, technology, and operations, and some marketplaces find that working with third-party logistics providers or supporting multichannel fulfillment is a more sustainable approach.

As Kaufland transitions away from FBK, sellers will need to stay informed about the upcoming international alternative. Those who rely on marketplace fulfillment services must continue to adapt, considering independent logistics solutions or third-party providers to ensure smooth operations.

For now, Kaufland’s focus appears to be on building a more flexible fulfillment model that can accommodate a broader range of sellers and markets. More details on the new service are expected in the coming months.

4o