Case studies

What scaling from China looks like for real brands

Three ecommerce brands, three different problems: a breakage rate eating the margin, a catalog of generic products, and packaging that could not justify a premium price. Here is what we did and what it changed. Client names are withheld at their request; the figures are theirs.

Case study 1 · Cosmetics

Cutting breakage from 8% to 0.12% without sacrificing margin

The challenge

A breakage rate of 8% on delivered orders was eating into margin and driving refunds and negative reviews. Every broken bottle cost far more than the product: reshipping, customer service time, and a one-star review that stayed online.

Our approach

We tested several combinations of bottles (glass, PET, different wall thicknesses) and packaging (foam inserts, molded pulp, rigid boxes) under real shipping conditions, on the same lanes the brand actually uses. For each option, we compared the extra unit cost of premium packaging against the full cost of breakage: lost product, reshipping, customer service time and the impact on reviews.

The result

Breakage dropped from 8% to 0.12%. The chosen packaging costs $0.80 more per unit but saves about $6,000 net per month, and the unboxing experience is noticeably more premium.

Breakage rate on delivered orders

Share of orders delivered with a broken product, before and after the packaging test program.

Before
8%
After
0.12%
0.12%
Breakage, down from 8%
+$0.80
Packaging cost per unit
$6,000
Net saved per month

Services used: custom packaging, China fulfillment center.

Case study 2 · Activewear

A fully custom range, refreshed every year

The challenge

The brand wanted to move away from generic products and build its own collection, with a distinctive look and consistent quality. Buying off-the-shelf activewear meant competing on price with every other store selling the same listing.

Our approach

We managed development end to end with our partner factories: technical fabric selection, pattern making, prototypes, size grading, branded labels and packaging. We then handled production, quality control and storage in our warehouses, shipping directly to end customers.

The result

A new collection launched every year on a controlled timeline, 10+ styles developed, and a single partner from design to delivery.

1
Fabric and pattern
Technical fabric selection and pattern making with partner factories.
2
Prototypes and grading
Samples, fit adjustments, size grading, branded labels and packaging.
3
Production and QC
Production follow-up and inspection before the collection enters stock.
4
Storage and fulfillment
Collection stored in our warehouse and shipped directly to customers worldwide.
10+
Custom styles developed
1 / year
New collection, on schedule
1
Partner from design to delivery

Services used: sourcing and product development, private label, China 3PL.

Case study 3 · Sunglasses

Premium packaging and a catalog 12 times larger

The challenge

With 10 SKUs and standard packaging, the brand struggled to justify a premium position and grow its average order value. The product was good; the experience around it said "generic".

Our approach

We designed and produced a custom leather pouch and bespoke packaging in the brand’s colors. In parallel, we sourced and validated new lens options, including polarized, yellow light filter and blue light blocking. The catalog grew from 10 to 120 SKUs, all stocked and shipped from our warehouses.

The result

120 SKUs live, a high-end unboxing experience, and an 80% increase in average order value.

Catalog size

Number of SKUs live, stocked and shipped from Apex Hub warehouses.

Before
10 SKUs
After
120 SKUs
+80%
Average order value
120
SKUs live, from 10
3
New lens options validated

Services used: custom packaging, sourcing, China 3PL.

What these three have in common

None of them needed a bigger marketing budget. They needed the product side of the business to stop leaking: broken parcels, generic listings, packaging that undersold the brand. In each case the fix came from the same place: a team in China that could test, source, produce, inspect and ship under one roof, with the numbers on the table.

If one of these problems sounds like yours, tell us about your products and volume, or read who we are.

Ecommerce fulfillment partner based in China

Global Trade.
Made Intelligent.

2,500+
Customers served
10,000+
Orders processed daily

Apex Hub helps ecommerce brands source, brand and ship products from China with full control, transparency and speed.

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