Sendle: This holiday season Australian small businesses need certainty
Australian courier Sendle, has announced it’s holding rates and increasing its delivery network as it works to support small businesses through what’s expected to be the biggest online Christmas on record.
With just over six weeks to go until Christmas Day, Sendle has decided to hold its pricing and has added five hundred more parcel drop off locations around the country in anticipation of record parcel volumes as Australians shop online for presents this year.
Sendle CEO James Chin Moody said: “This holiday season Australian small businesses need certainty, not scandal. The ongoing crises at Australia Post highlight how much Australia needs choice now more than ever. That’s why we launched Sendle five years ago as a parcel delivery service specifically designed for small business, and why today we’re seen as the true alternative.”
During the coronavirus pandemic, the shipping and logistics industry has become the backbone of the Australian economy, and Sendle has been delivering Christmas volumes nearly every month.
From March to September Sendle’s parcel volumes increased by 128 percent, and in August the network did more parcel deliveries to Melbourne than in the first three months of the year combined. Sendle has forecast its small business shipping volume will be 2.5 times larger year on year this peak.
In response to the record demand for parcel delivery, and in recognition of the hectic schedule of a small business, Sendle has expanded its drop off locations across the country so people can drop off their parcels after hours, and in some cases 24/7.
“We prioritised expanding our after hours drop off network in Victoria given the challenges our Vic customers have faced during the lockdowns. Our most popular drop off locations to date are the Melbourne CBD and the suburbs of Essendon, Collingwood and Burnley.” Mr Moody said.
Sendle has also worked with partner, Hubbed, to open parcel drop off points in Tasmania for the first time. After-hours collection points are available at BP stations, convenience stores, newsagents and pharmacies, with many open 24 hours, seven days a week.
Rates will also be kept on hold for the foreseeable future to ensure affordable delivery this Christmas. With Sendle, you can send parcels door to door for low flat-rates across Australia and around the world starting from $4.95 (ex GST), with rates up to 70 percent cheaper than Australia Post.
“We know retailers have had a rough year with the coronavirus lockdowns and economic recession, and we don’t want to see small, local businesses hit in the pocket as they gear up for an unpredictable festive season. They deserve simple, affordable and reliable parcel delivery, and Sendle is working hard to provide that.” Mr Moody added.
As small businesses lose trust in Australia Post during COVID, Sendle has announced shipping integrations with Shopify and Etsy, hired more customer support staff, and raised $19 million to expand the company’s shipping network and support accelerated growth.
“From day one, Sendle has been for the small end of town which is why so many small businesses and side hustlers have been switching from Australia Post to us during COVID. The need for a stable delivery network in this new era of eCommerce is more crucial than ever. We’ll continue to provide that stability for small businesses and challenge the functional monopoly.”
