What Is a Drop Ship PO?
A Drop Ship Purchase Order allows a retailer to buy a product from a supplier and have it shipped directly to the customer, rather than receiving it at the retailer’s own warehouse or store first.
In AltheaSuite, this functionality is built directly into the Purchase Order workflow — meaning no need for separate systems, emails, or manual tracking. You just select your supplier, check the “Drop Ship” box, choose the customer, and input the product details. AltheaSuite handles the rest.
Why Drop Ship POs Matter for Retailers
1. Expand Product Offerings Without Expanding Inventory
With drop shipping, you’re not limited to the products you physically stock. You can offer a wider range of SKUs — from large appliances to specialty items — without increasing your inventory investment. If a supplier carries the product, you can sell it.
This opens up new sales opportunities without tying up capital or warehouse space.
2. Lower Overhead and Operational Costs
When you drop ship, you eliminate the need for storage, handling, and double-shipping (from supplier to you, then you to the customer). AltheaSuite’s Drop Ship PO feature ensures that the supplier sends the product directly to the end customer, reducing:
- Warehouse handling costs
- Shipping delays
- Packaging labor
- Inventory management complexity
3. Faster Delivery Times = Happier Customers
By removing the middle step of sending products to your warehouse, you significantly cut down delivery time. With AltheaSuite’s built-in drop ship process, the supplier ships directly to the customer — meaning faster fulfillment and improved customer satisfaction.
This is especially valuable in industries like appliances, furniture, or electronics, where delivery time can make or break the customer experience.
4. Streamlined Workflow with Full Visibility
AltheaSuite’s drop ship functionality is not a workaround — it’s a fully integrated feature within the Purchase Order module. You still maintain control and visibility over:
- Which supplier is fulfilling the order
- What address it’s shipping to
- Which customer the product is linked to
- Pricing and product details
Everything is documented, traceable, and consistent with your broader purchasing and sales operations.
5. Reduced Risk of Stockouts
By relying on supplier inventory for certain items, you reduce the burden on your own stock. You don’t have to worry about running out of space — or out of stock. Instead, drop shipping allows you to maintain availability with fewer resources.
Real-World Example
Imagine a customer orders a specialty refrigerator you don’t keep in stock. Instead of telling them it’s unavailable or waiting to bring it into your warehouse, you:
- Create a new Purchase Order in AltheaSuite
- Select the supplier
- Check the Drop Ship PO box
- Assign the customer and their shipping address
- Add the product and pricing
- Hit Save
Just like that, your supplier ships the item directly to your customer — and you’ve fulfilled the sale with zero inventory handling on your end.
The Bottom Line
Drop shipping is no longer just for online-only businesses — it’s a practical, powerful tool for brick-and-mortar and multichannel retailers who want to stay agile and competitive. AltheaSuite’s Drop Ship PO feature makes it easy to integrate drop shipping into your everyday operations, helping you:
- Sell more products
- Reduce costs
- Deliver faster
- Keep customers happy
- Operate smarter
If you’re looking to grow without the growing pains, this is a feature worth using.
Want to see how Drop Ship POs can transform your retail operation?
Contact the AltheaSuite team today — and take the hassle out of fulfillment.
