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Case Study: Custom Shopify Integration for James Cress Florist

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Minion partnered with James Cress Florist to engineer a custom Shopify integration that routes orders automatically between local delivery teams and third-party networks like MAS Direct and HANA Florist. The result? Faster processing, fewer errors, and a national reach powered by smart automation.


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James Cress Florist, a leading floral business with a national footprint, faced a challenge common to many fast-growing ecommerce brands: effectively managing and routing incoming orders across multiple fulfillment systems. With both local and nationwide delivery needs, James Cress required a seamless Shopify integration that could intelligently route orders based on location and availability, ensuring an exceptional customer experience at every touchpoint.

The Challenge

James Cress operates a hybrid fulfillment model:

  • Local Delivery: Handled in-house by James Cress locations.
  • Nationwide Delivery: Routed to trusted third-party networks when outside local delivery zones.

However, the manual process of determining whether an order should be fulfilled locally or sent to a third-party provider like MAS Direct or HANA Florist was time-consuming and prone to errors. James Cress needed a custom Shopify systems integration that could automate the order routing process based on criteria such as zip codes, product types, and delivery parameters.

Our Solution

Minion designed and implemented a custom Shopify integration that seamlessly connects James Cress's online store with MAS Direct and HANA Florist platforms.

Key Deliverables:

  • Dynamic Order Filtering: Using zip code filtering and other data points, we automatically route orders either to the internal James Cress system or to MAS Direct’s third-party fulfillment network.
  • Automated Local Delivery Routing: For local orders, we built logic to intelligently route them through HANA Florist, optimizing fulfillment speed and minimizing operational overhead.
  • Real-Time System Syncing: Orders flow instantly to the correct fulfillment channel, ensuring same-day and next-day delivery windows are met without manual intervention.
  • Scalable Architecture: The system is designed to easily scale with James Cress’s growth and accommodate future integrations or delivery partners.

The Results

  • 25% faster order processing times by eliminating manual review of delivery zones.
  • Reduction in order errors and improved customer satisfaction.
  • Operational efficiencies across their fulfillment and customer service teams.
  • Ability to expand their national footprint confidently with seamless third-party order management.

Technologies Used

  • Shopify Plus Development
  • Custom API Integrations
  • MAS Direct Integration
  • HANA Florist Routing
  • Automated Order Logic
  • Real-Time Order Management System (OMS)

Why This Matters

For ecommerce businesses — especially florists, specialty retailers, and businesses with local + national fulfillment needs — advanced Shopify integrations can make or break operational success. Intelligent order routing not only enhances the customer experience but also reduces overhead and enables scalable growth.

At Minion, we specialize in solving complex ecommerce challenges with custom Shopify development, third-party system integrations, and order management optimization.

With thousands of Shopify experts out there, finding the right fit for your store can be overwhelming. Your Shopify store deserves more than just an expert—it deserves a team that’s dedicated to helping it thrive and grow every step of the way.

Seamless systems integration is critical — and that’s where Minion comes in.

Whether you're connecting Shopify to third-party platforms, building custom routing logic, or syncing complex data flows, our team has the expertise to make it happen. We specialize in creating smart, scalable integrations that streamline operations, eliminate manual work, and keep your business running smoothly. From initial strategy and development to testing, launch, and ongoing support, Minion ensures every piece of your ecommerce ecosystem works together flawlessly — so you can stay focused on growth, not technology.

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