Global e-commerce firm Shopify and Australian parcel delivery service Sendle have launched a new partnership that will help bolster parcel delivery for Australian small businesses.
The unique collaboration will allow Australian merchants to seamlessly send their parcels through Sendle – without having to leave their Shopify tabs. They will also be able to print Sendle labels and book parcel pickup from their locations through Shopify.
Faster, Cheaper Package Deliveries
The additional perks that come with the service include low nationwide rates, affordable prices for international deliveries, free parcel tracking services, and eco-friendly shipping.
James Chin Moody, the chief executive of Sendle, explained that the company has always been working to ensure that Australian individuals and firms can seamlessly get packages sent from the comfort of their locations.
By partnering with Shopify, they can take their business to even more customers, as they now have exposure to hundreds of millions of small businesses that will be looking for seamless package and order delivery services.
“Affordable and swift parcel delivery is a competitive advantage that Aussie small businesses can’t do without. Sendle’s full integration with Shopify will save time and money so sellers can get on with running their businesses and create great products for their customers,” he added.
Rhys Furner, the Head of Partnerships for Shopify’s Asia-Pacific region, commented on how this integration could help to take out the complex, costly process of processing parcel deliveries. He explained that merchants need a competent partner to help bolster their operations, especially in these difficult times.
He added, “Together, Shopify Shipping with Sendle offers a frictionless approach that makes it easier for merchants and helps them to give better and more cost-effective solutions for their customers.”
Shopify’s Customer-Centric Approach Pays Off
Shopify has been taking significant steps to woo small businesses in this period, as the firm has launched several initiatives to help make its e-commerce service more accessible.
Most impressive was the firm’s decision to provide cash advances to its customers – albeit only in its home country, Canada.
As Financial Post reported at the time, Shopify Capital, the e-commerce giant’s financing arm, will focus on sustaining Canadian businesses by providing them with loans ranging between CA$200 and CA$500,000.
Company Chief Operating Officer Harley Finkelstein explained that the service would not run like conventional loans, as companies won’t need to go through credit checks or have to deal with deadlines on repayments.
There are also no interest rates, and businesses won’t be obligated to refund the advances if they don’t make any sales. Businesses would have to apply for the loans and repay based on the sales they make with the firm’s tools.
All of this has helped Shopify score more users, as small businesses have flocked to its platform at this time. The firm announced its first-quarter financial results last week, surpassing expectations on multiple fronts.
The results showed that Shopify’s total revenues for Q1 2020 were $470 million – a 47 percent jump year-on-year. Adjusted, non-GAAP net income stood at $22.3 million, compared to $7.1 million in Q1 2019. Subscription revenues grew by 34 percent to $187.6 million, with the firm pointing out that new merchants have indeed joined its platform in this period.
