FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. and one of the world's largest express transportation companies, announced a new alliance with BigCommerce, an open SaaS eCommerce platform.
The strategic alliance comes as eCommerce in the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa region (AMEA) region is on a significant growth trajectory fuelled by the pandemic. For instance, in Asia Pacific alone, eCommerce sales are expected to nearly double by 2025, reaching $2 trillion.
Alongside the rapid growth in eCommerce sales, merchants face mounting pressure in delivering products quickly and cost-efficiently to customers across the world, FedEx states.
On this, a BigCommerce survey revealed that 77% of global consumer respondents would consider abandoning an eCommerce purchase if the shipping options are unsatisfactory.
FedEx reports that BigCommerce merchants in Australia and New Zealand are signing up for the FedEx-BigCommerce alliance program to receive access to enhanced shipping capabilities, including a premium delivery experience for customers.
According to the company, top benefits include the following:
Competitive rates: BigCommerce merchants joining the program receive discount rates from FedEx Express with streamlined access to FedEx shipping services.
Shipping capabilities: BigCommerce merchants can leverage a portfolio of FedEx eCommerce solutions, including FedEx Electronic Trade Documents; a portfolio of flexible return solutions; and the FedEx Hold-at-Location services, which gives BigCommerce merchants the choice to have their packages delivered to various grocery stores, pharmacies, and FedEx Office locations.
FedEx Express president of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (AMEA), Kawal Preet, says, “The collaboration with BigCommerce is yet another milestone for FedEx as we continue strengthening our capabilities within the eCommerce ecosystem to best serve businesses in this region.
"With eCommerce being a key driver of global trade in the post-pandemic world, a level playing field has potential to support resource-tight SMEs to compete on a global scale.
"That's why alliances such as these are so critical for SMEs to strengthen their delivery capabilities and meet their customers' heightened expectations while expanding their footprint overseas.
BigCommerce vice president and general manager of APAC Shannon Ingrey says, “Every decision we make ladders back to helping BigCommerce merchants grow and scale their businesses and deliver the best customer shopping experiences.
"It's never been more important for merchants to equip themselves with the most reliable shipping solutions to ensure their products are delivered in a timely manner.
"Our collaboration with FedEx unlocks more options for BigCommerce merchants to offer premium delivery experiences as part of their end-to-end eCommerce journey. We look forward to working with FedEx to ensure our merchants have all the resources available to meet customer needs quickly and efficiently.
FedEx states the company is committed to supporting small businesses to seize the growth opportunities brought about by the eCommerce boom.
On this, the company recently further enhanced its cross-border eCommerce capabilities with the launch of FedEx International Connect Plus (FICP), a new FedEx Express International, day-definite, eCommerce shipping service.