Direct-to-consumer eCommerce firm ESW has launched a partnership with UPS that will provide users with integrated international eCommerce and shipping capabilities, the companies said in a news release Monday (March 28).
“The ability to get a one-stop solution that combines ESW’s technology and deep localization expertise with UPS’ expansive logistics and transportation network will give direct-to consumer (DTC) retailers of any size greater access to consumers on a global scale,” said Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne, president and CEO, Americas, ESW.
“This agreement leverages our entire logistics and payments ecosystem as well as UPS’ extensive global transportation network to remove barriers and alleviate the friction that often impedes brands and retailers from selling directly to consumers regardless of where they live in the world,” he said.
Added Bill Seward, UPS president, Americas region and global customer solutions: “This alliance with ESW offers UPS eCommerce customers the ability to sell and ship seamlessly around the world, with the confidence that they are delivering a great shopping experience.”
Read more: eCommerce Firm ESW Weighing $4B IPO
ESW is owned by Asendia, a joint venture between French postal service La Poste and Swiss Post. The company works with brands like Nike and Estee Lauder to help deliver their products in 200 markets, offering pricing, payments and account management technology and other logistics services.
ESW said retailers need to become “border agnostic” as consumers turn more and more to cross-border purchasing to get the products they see online.
The company points to its Global Voices 2022 survey, which showed that the number of cross-border DTC consumers rose across all age groups between December 2020 and July 2021, with younger millennial and Gen Z consumers fueling this trend.
The survey showed these consumers buying significantly more from outside the countries where they live than older generations, preferring to cross borders to find products they can’t access closer to home. However, the data also showed that shipping timing and shipping costs were the two factors keeping consumers from shopping across international borders.
As PYMNTS reported earlier this month, ESW is considering an initial public offering (IPO) that could value the company at around $4 billion.
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