For many companies’ websites, the ability to configure to
native language, currencies, customs and to ship anywhere in the world is not
common as of yet. Rather, companies will set up physical operations (i.e.
offices, fulfillment facilities etc.) in countries and establish a website for
that specific country. However, some
niche players provide capabilities that allows for retailers to avoid this
added expense. For example, Fiftyone
Global Ecommerce provides such solutions for e-retailers such as Macy’s.com,
Bloomingdales.com, Overstock.com, Shoes.com and Aeropostale.com. Founded in
1999, the company established a patent technology that allowed ecommerce
retailers to settle transactions in varying currencies. Since then, the company
has expanded to provide fulfillment and delivery services for those e-retailers
that have not established such a structure outside of the US.
In simple terms, the e-retailer will ship parcels from their
US fulfillment hub to the Fiftyone US hub. From there, Fiftyone will process,
aggregate and line haul dispatched to respective destination trade zone. Shipping details are electronically submitted
and the last mile delivery agent is contacted with delivery instructions.
Recently, Fiftyone acquired Borderfree, a business unit of Canada Post to
handle such operations for Canadian customers.
Expect this trend to increase as retailers continue to look
for ways to increase revenue while keeping costs as low as possible. Logistics
providers will benefit as many will chose to partner with such companies as
Fiftyone or provide these services instead.