As Australia Post explores reducing its physical presence, popular small business courier service Sendle has announced a 40% expansion of its international shipping network, adding over 800 new pick-up locations across Australia amid escalating global demand. Western Sydney to Windsor and Wookey, Sendle's network is rapidly evolving in response to a reported 35% of Australian small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) desiring more options for international parcel delivery, a key growth factor according to recent data.

SMBs form the backbone of Australia's economy, employing the majority of the domestic workforce and numbering over 2.5 million. As such, ensuring these businesses have easy access to resources that help them prosper and grow is a national imperative. Sendle has now supported these SMBs by offering international pick-up in over 3,000 towns and suburbs, saving users up to a staggering 42% compared to Australia Post rates.

Sendle's expansion provides a crucial supply chain optimisation for businesses in over 865 new suburbs, enabling shipping to major global markets, including the US, UK, New Zealand, Canada, Asia, and Europe. This has broken down the barriers to overseas e-commerce, which is set to grow by around 18% by 2030.

Laura Hill, Managing Director at Sendle Australia, highlighted the benefits of their services, stating, "With more than two hundred international destinations, Sendle's expanded pick-up locations, competitive international rates and fast delivery times can now help more small businesses move into overseas markets at an affordable price."

The importance of international market growth for SMBs comes into sharper focus in light of a sluggish national consumer spending forecast. Sendle's Small Business Survey revealed that 37% of SMBs are looking to expand their customer base overseas during 2024, with an anticipated quarter of their total sales growth coming from outside Australia over the next 12 months. The United States, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Canada account for 45% of international shipping demand among Sendle's SMB customers.

Hill believes an international door-to-door pick-up service is essential for businesses expanding online and looking to reach customers beyond Australian borders. "Whether you’re sending socks to customers in New Zealand or sentimental jewellery to loved ones in the United States, small businesses are well positioned to service this demand with Sendle as their preferred global shipper," she commented.

As SMBs navigate these challenging economic times, affordable shipping is critical to their overall cost-reduction strategies. Hill outlined Sendle's mission: "Our vision has always been to level the playing field for small businesses and we continue to do that by offering more choice on parcel delivery solutions."

This news has already been well received by participating businesses nationwide, with Ellie Grace Jewellery's Jiali Kelm commenting, "We came for the competitive pricing. We stayed for the service. International orders to New Zealand have been really fast with Sendle, much faster than other providers. It’s the smart choice for great savings and happy customers."