AWD vs. Middle Mile: Which is Right for Your Amazon Business?

Navigating Amazon logistics can feel like a maze. It's not just about picking any option, it's about optimizing your business in a way that makes sense for you. Two solutions that sellers often consider are Amazon Warehouse & Distribution (AWD) and Pattern Middle Mile. While AWD focuses on storage, Pattern Middle Mile helps get your products into Amazon's fulfillment network quickly and efficiently. Let's compare these two approaches.

What is Pattern Middle Mile?

Pattern Middle Mile tackles the challenges of getting your inventory from your warehouse or supplier to Amazon's fulfillment centers. We help you get your product into Amazon with ease. Our goal is to simplify your inbound logistics and help you avoid inbound placement fees.

What is AWD?

AWD is designed for longer-term storage of inventory that isn't immediately needed in Amazon's active fulfillment network. It's a place to park your goods until demand picks up or until Amazon requests them for distribution.

Key Differences: AWD vs. Pattern Middle Mile

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Pattern Middle Mile: Speed and Efficiency

• Pattern Middle Mile is designed to get your inventory into Amazon's fulfillment network as quickly as possible. We handle getting your product into Amazon, so you can focus on growing your business.
• We receive inventory at the unit level, ensuring accuracy and reducing the risk of lost or miscounted items.
• Unlike AWD, Pattern Middle Mile doesn't charge storage fees. Our focus is on moving your inventory efficiently, not storing it for long periods.

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AWD: The Long-Term Storage Game

• AWD offers lower storage costs compared to Amazon's core network. If you import large quantities from overseas or have products that take months to sell, AWD can potentially save you money on storage fees.
• AWD charges a per-box processing fee, which can quickly eat into your storage savings. Plus, you'll need to pay for transportation to get your goods to AWD facilities, which are primarily located in California and New Jersey. AWD also doesn't offer any prep services, so you'll need to handle labeling and packaging yourself.
• One of the biggest challenges with AWD is the receiving process. Inventory is received at the case level, not the unit level, which can lead to inaccuracies and lost inventory.

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The Bottom Line

AWD and Pattern Middle Mile are designed for different needs. If you need long-term storage, AWD might be worth considering. But if you want to streamline your Amazon logistics, avoid placement fees, and get your products into Amazon's fulfillment network quickly and accurately, Pattern Middle Mile is the better choice.

For more information about Pattern Middle Mile and how it can help your brand, visit https://pattern.com/products/middle-mile or reach out to our logistics team.

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Andrew Bignell

VP of Operations - Pattern