It's not all their fault. We're all biased to assume that bigger means better, and that's no more true than in the fulfilment industry. Bigger warehouses, more clients, legions of staff.
But what's gained in size is often lost elsewhere. A less nuanced understanding of your product and customers. Shipping mistakes which make you wonder whether people are really paying attention. Escalating costs which mean you're paying for their marketing team.
They've decided to sacrifice effectiveness at the altar of efficiency. And that's their efficiency - not yours.
We believe the industry has it all wrong. There is another way.
At Eirios, we know that third party fulfilment just works better when it's small, decentralised and local. Smaller teams, simpler logistics, local connections.
Don't mistake this for any lack of ambition. We have every desire to grow - but the path of that growth is different.
Two smaller warehouses, instead of one bigger one. Specifically tailored to the needs of smaller ecommerce businesses, instead of anyone and everyone. Building long term relationships, instead of one-time mass distribution campaigns.
Perhaps this makes sense to you, because it's not too dissimilar from how you run your own business. You long ago realised that mass market ecommerce and skimping on quality was a dead end. You're niched, customer focused and ambitious for your brand.
If that's the case, we'd love to work with you.
Luke Pearce built two ecommerce brands in the UK, one of which reached sales of £2m and launched in the US. He now runs 3rd Party Logistics service Eirios, which serves both British and North American DTC brands operating in the UK.
Luke's brands have grown using a combination of UK-based manufacture, social media marketing and ethical business practices.
You're a US or Canadian ecommerce brand. The UK is a market of 67 million consumers - the size of California and Texas combined - waiting to be introduced to North American brands like yours. But your UK customers don't want to wait two weeks for shipping only to receive a tax bill when their goods finally do cross the border.
You're a British ecommerce brand. The US is a market of 333 million and still growing. If you've already conquered the UK, why stop at the border?
Selling into foreign markets fulfils the promise of the age of direct-to-customer ecommerce. No longer do you need middlemen and brick-and-mortar retail to reach the vast potential markets abroad.
But there are new challenges you won't have come across in your home country. And you do need a helping hand from people who know what they're doing.
At Eirios, we've looked specifically at the challenges faced by DTC brands reaching across the Atlantic.
From shipping to border taxes, data protection laws to cultural differences, solving these challenges is our expertise.
Yes, we're a 3PL too, and that's likely to be a crucial part of the puzzle you piece together as you build your UK operation. But we're also here to help you find the other pieces: sales and marketing, strategy and finance, people and growth.
We help you get your exporting right before your goods arrive with us. We want you to get your foreign taxes right, so neither you nor your customers get caught out. And your marketing - while it's done a great job for you so far - may need a few cultural adjustments so it has the biggest impact, whether in Britain or North America.
See us as your UK-based operational arm. Not just giving you advice, but putting that information into practice too.
If you're a direct-to-consumer brand looking to sell across the Atlantic, let's start the conversation.
© Edwin Capital Ltd
