DWP vs CSP: Which Model Fits Your Brand?

DWP and CSP aren’t just acronyms—they’re two entirely different paths to marketplace growth. At Fifth Shelf, we built both models from scratch to serve different types of brands. Whether you want to offload everything or keep control and scale with support, this post lays it all out.

What Is DWP?

Direct Wholesale Partnership (DWP) means Fifth Shelf buys your inventory upfront, funds ads, and handles everything end-to-end—logistics, growth strategy, optimization, and fulfillment. You get upfront cash + long-term sales.

What Is CSP?

Custom Solutions Partner (CSP) means you keep inventory ownership while Fifth Shelf acts like your outsourced growth team. We manage ads, SEO, listings, 1P setup, and strategy—but you maintain control.

DWP vs CSP - Key Differences

Compare DWP vs CSP and understand which Fifth Shelf model aligns with your brand’s growth stage, goals, and risk tolerance.

Feature	DWP	CSP
Inventory Ownership	Fifth Shelf	Brand
Ad Spend Funding	Fifth Shelf (+5% ad investment)	Brand
Listing Optimization	Included	Paid service
Included Fulfillment	Included	Brand / existing setup
Platform Expansion	Amazon, Walmart, DTC, Global	Amazon + Custom Need Support
Dashboard Access	Partner Portal	Reporting Access Only
A+ Content & Creative	Included	Paid service
1P Setup & Negotiation	Included (terms apply)	Paid service
Keyword Strategy	Included	Paid service
Compliance & Brand Registry	Included	Paid service
Review Strategy	Included	Paid service
External Traffic & Attribution	Included	Paid service
Best For	Brands looking to offload & scale fast	Brands that want control + full team

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose DWP if: you want to eliminate risk, gain cash flow, and let experts take over

Choose CSP if: you want to keep ownership but need a serious team to drive results

• Learn more about DWP

• Explore how CSP supports brand-led growth

• See how Fulfillment fits into DWP