If you have secured your place in the competitive eCommerce industry, the next natural step is to take your local company global. Offering products to a worldwide market is a strategic business move and an indicator of success. That said, competing with leading eCommerce companies can be difficult. Between sourcing products at a competitive price and figuring out shipping from China to the USA, there are challenges that retailers face before making the big leap. 

As you grow your business and expand your reach, it’s imperative to have shipping solutions that are reliable and quick enough to compete with eCommerce giants like Amazon. 

One such company made shipping from China to the USA relatively easy: Agilas Rise Ltd.  

Agilas is a tech start-up based in the United Kingdom. It surmounted the challenges and eventually made its products available to international customers. Read on to find out more.

Competing with eCommerce Giants: Agilas Rise Ltd. 

Established by Matt Leonard in August 2020, Agilas Rise Ltd. aims to provide tech solutions for the average person at an affordable price. 

Lockdowns were in full swing across the globe at the time. Most industries had to adapt to the new normal through remote and hybrid work schemes. The founders uncovered a gap in available tech options in the market that suits the needs of the quickly-changing work environments. Their main goal is to provide a means for people to film, stream, and unleash their creativity in the comforts of their homes. 

At present, Agilas Rise Ltd. offers Paparazzo – an AI-Powered 360 Auto Tracking Phone Holder that allows users to create content without the need for an app or a Bluetooth connection. The device is essentially an intuitive cameraman that captures every angle and offers 360° AI Facial Tracking. 

“We started last August. Our target market is anyone who wants to create content at home, or just spend more time with a loved one in a digital world by supplying tech products that make this easier and more fun. Our current product is called Paparazzo. An auto-tracking camera that will follow you wherever you go and keep you in the frame. It is very easy to use as no app is required. Perfect for video calls and content creators!” 

Matthew Leonard, Agilas Rise Ltd.

The Problem

There was no denying that the market was ready for Paparazzo. As more content creators and professionals worked from home, the need for a device that allows users to video chat, stream, and film intuitively grew. There was a gap in the available products, and Paparazzo fills the need seamlessly. The challenge for Agilas Rise Ltd. was finding a way to make inventory shipping from China to the USA just as fast as larger eCommerce operations such as Amazon. 

At first, the company tried to ship inventory internationally on its own. However, tackling the problem proved to be more difficult than expected. Shipping from China to the USA took longer than expected. If they genuinely want to compete globally, partnering with and outsourcing to a third-party logistics company is necessary. 

“Shipping times were the key metric for us to be competitive with Amazon. To be able to sell in the US, you need to be able to compete on shipping times. This was the main factor as we knew without this we would not be successful in selling our products.”

Matthew Leonard, Agilas Rise, Ltd.

The ZhenHub Solution

The Agilas Rise Ltd. team knew that they must come out of the gate strong with a product like Paparazzo. Partnering with a tech-based logistics company would give them the right platform to introduce a viable product that the market needs. 

Through a quick Google search, Matt and the rest of the Agilas team came across ZhenHub. With ZhenHub’s warehousing services, the team knew that fast shipping from China to the USA is now possible. The start-up’s transition to ZhenHub’s tech-based logistics solutions has been smooth. At present, Agilas Rise Ltd. offers free shipping of its flagship product across 100 countries. 

“We loved the training and the hand-holding through the process. It made us feel very comfortable and felt like we were doing business with the right people since this was the first time engaging with a third party for our shipping requirements. Also, ZhenHub’s app for Shopify made the set-up very easy to automate the process and integrated very easily. Their support after the process was also very good and prompt with their responses when we had any questions or issues.” 

Global Scaling Made Possible Through Strategic Partnerships 

Establishing a foothold in the global eCommerce industry is a challenge even for businesses with products that fill a void in the market. Beyond marketing strategies, determining logistics solutions is at the heart of a successful expansion. Logistics plays a significant role in developing a client base and establishing credibility, but there are other factors to consider.

For one, it is essential to consider and identify the new target audience. Expanding to new countries requires retailers to reconsider their target market based on the local language, culture, and demand. Unfortunately, most eCommerce companies fail to tailor-fit their products, services, and website to the new market. 

Likewise, there is such a thing as taking on more than what the company can do during expansion. By choosing to partner with a logistics company, a retailer can focus on the business and less on figuring out the supply chain. It enables eCommerce shops to increase profits and compete in established marketplaces. Retailers won’t need to deal with the stress of logistics and inventory management. Instead, they can concentrate on strategic expansion and growth. This has been proven true by Agilas Rise Ltd. 

Like Agilas Rise Ltd., ZhenHub can help your operations remain competitive on a global scale. Extend your reach, get more customers, and experience the ZhenHub difference. Visit our website, request a quote, or simply contact us today to learn more about how we can get your products from A to B, effortlessly. 

One of the most significant decisions an eCommerce store has to make is deciding between in-house or outsourced order fulfillment. Both carry a slew of advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the right option is determined by the business & operational requirements. 

Nevertheless, there is no denying the extent of scaling through outsourcing order fulfillment. One such success story is Curae Lens. Find out how ZhenHub’s technology-based solutions helped the start-up grow from offering one product to having a thirty-item selection. 

A Study in Scaling through Outsourced Order Fulfillment: Curae Lens

In September of 2020, Brandon Knapp founded Curae Lens, a blue light blocking glasses eCommerce company. This start-up’s main draw is its mission to integrate the blue-light blocking technology with fashionable glasses, making them wearable daily. At the onset, Knapp ordered 300 pairs of inventory from a supplier based in China to fulfill the initial orders. He packed and shipped the orders from his home. 

Curae Lens’ target demographic was females between 18 – 25 years old, so the start-up utilized TikTok to market their product. Following a successful partnership with a TikTok influencer, the first batch of 300 sold out within three days. Knapp didn’t anticipate for the products to sell out quickly. At the time, he deemed his process and supplier to be reliable enough for a bigger second order:

“I didn’t anticipate to sell out as fast as I did, so I immediately placed a new order with my supplier for 1,000 units. Keep in mind I allowed customers to place more orders just as long as they knew of our backorder, which customers surprisingly didn’t mind waiting 2-4 weeks for their order to ship. My supplier, in general, has an amazing turnaround time. They finished a batch of 1,000 pairs of glasses within ~ten days. This was after a discussion with them emphasizing the urgency of customers waiting for items placed on backorder. Each pair of glasses also comes with multiple accessories with my logo printed. I was very impressed with the time it took.”

The Problem

The problem for Curae Lens started after making the 1000 unit order. The overseas supplier shipped the order in ten manufacturing days. Once the supplier sent the items, Knapp and the rest of the Curae Lens team expected Southeast Asia shipping to come through within 2 to 3 days. They advised their customers that their orders should be at their doorsteps in 3 to 4 business days. Unfortunately, customs held the orders for over a week. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong: it’s Murphy’s Law rearing its ugly head. At this point, customers were confused as to when their packages will arrive. After all, Curae Lens gave an update a few days before.  

Once the inventory arrived at the Curae Lens headquarters, Knapp packaged all the orders himself –  all 250 parcels in one day. The founder didn’t want his customers to wait any longer for an already back-ordered product. Despite prompt Southeast Asia shipping, it was a stressful 24 hours for the start-up founder. 

The ZhenHub Solution

The whole ordeal was a breaking point for Curae Lens. Knapp knew that his start-up has grown beyond a one-person operation. Knapp was determined to find a fulfillment partner to accommodate his start-up needs handling the customs issues, reducing exorbitant Southeast Asia shipping fees, and packing the parcels. 

After a quick google search, Knapp came across ZhenHub. 

“Two very important things crossed my mind when considering ZhenHub – pricing and shipping times. The pricing was important to me when I first started my search for a fulfillment center because Curae Lens was still in its early stages, and I wanted to make sure I had the capital to keep the business expanding. Shipping times were also critical to me because the customer experience is important for Curae in general.”

ZhenHub’s tech-powered solutions allowed Curae Lens to store inventory in a vast network of warehousing options, making it easier for fast and easy Southeast Asia shipping capabilities. The start-up now uses the direct injection shipping line ZhenHub has with the United States, and customers now receive their packages within 5-7 business days.

Through ZhenHub’s inventory management, warehousing, and shipping services, Curae Lens has grown significantly. Without the burden of dealing with import duties, delays, and hours of packing orders, the company now carries thirty different pairs of glasses.

Outsourcing Order Fulfillment: Key to Rapid Growth

For newly established eCommerce stores, it can be a challenge to relinquish control over every operation aspect. Most owners believe being on hand for every process ensures minimal mistakes and optimum productivity. However, one of the biggest lessons in running a successful online enterprise is learning how to delegate. 

Choosing to outsource order fulfillment can ease the burden that start-ups take on as their businesses take off. For one, professional logistics companies can reduce a retailer’s shipping costs. These companies often partner with various carriers that offer discounts even for Southeast Asia shipping. Aligning with a logistics company enables eCommerce companies to take full advantage of these discounts. 

By choosing the right logistics company, entrepreneurs don’t have to store, organize, pack, and ship products themselves. Moreover, it takes the guesswork out of dealing with customs clearance for various jurisdictions. Businesses who chose the right partners can focus on growing the business. They can broaden their market offerings, provide better customer service, and even discover new revenue channels.

“Zhenhub is for anyone out there looking to simplify the logistics of their business at an affordable price.”

Sign up with ZhenHub today to learn more about what we have to offer.