Brilliant growth in a booming logistics business is a great story World Options Australia CEO Malcolm Rees is proud to tell.
“Last year we grew more than 30 per cent and this year will overtake that figure. In February we grew about 50 per cent,” he reveals.
“Our online shipping platform gives customers different shipping options at the best price, with the best service.”
What’s driving the business?
Malcolm says rocketing sales at the digital forward shipping business are a result of two things. Firstly the shift to online shopping that has continued post-Covid.
“Online shopping was a massive boon to the logistics industry during Covid and people gained confidence that ecommerce was secure. The change of behaviour stuck and we’ve continued to see high growth,” says Malcolm.
The second reason for great sales is in the brand’s DNA: the trust built up between franchisees and their clients.
“We are unique. Instead of requiring customers to come to the internet and book our services, our franchisees build and develop face-to-face relationships,” explains Malcolm.
“They deliver a very high level of support to their clients. In turn we give franchisees all the support they need.
“Business is about networking and who you know. Our biggest franchisee is shipping goods for customers across the country.”
Small business owners want the best deal
Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the size of the country, the domestic market accounts for 95 per cent of World Options business in Australia.
Franchisees are providing premium B2B and B2C services and relationship building is at the heart of this, says Malcolm.
“Small business owners want to know they are getting the best deal possible, minimising their costs. That’s important. We provide good pricing because we have the negotiating power.”
Franchisees receive excellent discounted transportation rates to upsell to their clients as a result of World Options’ smart negotiations with major carriers.
Delivering time and cost savings
The simple message that World Options delivers time and cost savings to clients is backed up by a streamlined system smoothing the process for customers.
“Customers hold only one account with access to four or five carriers, plus options for larger air and sea freight services,” says Malcolm. “We save time, we save money. It’s a team effort,” he points out.
And that holds true when there are delays or problems with a shipment. The client’s franchisee and the head office team work together to find a solution.
Increasingly companies use digital forward platforms for the ease of doing business: clear quotes and competitive rates are just two of the benefits.
World Options’ booming business brings benefits
So this delivers excellent earnings potential for franchisees. There is real residual income because customers are purchasing on multiple occasions.
World Options is a franchise that has low outgoings – there is no stock, warehousing or vehicles required. It can even be operated quite comfortably from home.
Another bonus is that franchisees get to work for an established brand in the reseller transportation services sector.
The market is on an upward trajectory with trade agreements driving expected growth internationally. All freight industries (train, road, air, and sea) have been increasing over the last decade.
The global digital forward shipping industry is expected to grow yet again, rising by 20 per cent in the next five years.
Logistics has huge growth potential
Malcolm is confident in the sector’s global and local potential, and in the brand’s positioning.
“More people are going into online shipping platforms. Predictions show about 30 per cent of shipping in Europe will be done online in 2025,” he says.
“We’ve sized the Australian market and there is lots of room for growth. With about one and a half million genuine small and medium sized businesses, that’s a great opportunity for us.
“We know World Options is in a strong growth position because of our customer relationships with small business owners. Trust is everything in business.”