Latest Laois News: Laois Company riding crest of online shopping wave

Laois Delivery Company Offering Simple & Cheaper Order Solutions For E-Commerce Businesses.   

The huge rise in online shopping has been a boon to a Co. Laois delivery company which is carving out a considerable reputation offering small companies much needed flexible order fulfillment solutions.

‘One Stop Fulfillment’ based at the Clonminam Business Park in Portlaoise is attracting business from all over the country, due to both its convenient business model which offers a simplified route to market for small E-Commerce businesses, and prime midlands location; an added bonus for businesses facing Brexit delays.

Shane Murphy, who heads up the family business said as follows:

“We saw a golden opportunity as there is no other fulfillment company in the country taking small orders like we do. Small companies were finding it increasingly difficult and frustrating as they simply couldn’t make the numbers work for them; they might have had requirements for a few orders but other delivery companies only cater for big orders.  They were meeting obstacles all along the way. We took them on and they’re growing with us; it makes sense that once they can get their route to market and fulfil their customers requirements they are in a position to expand so it’s a win win for everybody”.

“We offer price per order as opposed to price per product which offers real solutions for small start up businesses. It’s ideal as it’s one less thing for them to worry about; small business need to keep things lean and we offer real savings. So small companies can do business, they don’t have to lose out”.

Shane says that simplifying the order delivery process and offering convenience for customers are the two pillars of his business.

“Our fulfillment system means it’s very easy for anyone to join us whether they are selling 10 items or 10,000 items per month and we guarantee we will not be beaten on price or service. Most systems will allow you to export your inventory or product listing to a spreadsheet, we can then import this spreadsheet into our system so that we can have your products on our system in minutes. There are many ways we can do this including from email, csv import and full integration. We can work with you to easily import your sales into our system as soon as they are placed”.

Shane says that his company is growing on a daily basis, one positive development out of the huge difficulties posed for businesses by Covid.

“It’s incredible really, we could never have foreseen just how busy we would be. To be honest we’re run off our feet. Difficulties always present opportunities and that’s a truism for us and for the many people who have started online selling as a direct result of Covid .Many of these small indigenous start up’s have gone into it ‘cold’; they had no experience  of online selling prior to this and had so much to contend with, so our service is absolutely ideal for them ,it’s a win win for them and us”. “E Commerce is only going one way and that is up”.

The company ,which operates from a  5,500 sq. feet warehouse is also a lifeline for companies hit by all the ongoing associated problems posed by Brexit. 

“We’re offering real solutions to the two main headaches facing businesses; Covid and Brexit”.

“We ship directly to Europe twice a week through Germany and avoid the UK altogether. We organise our custom clearance in Portlaoise cutting through all the hassle for customers. We must provide all correct information  before we get a shipping label and this is crucial as it means that our customers are not affected by any unnecessary delays”.

“We’re in quite a unique position in that we’ve got an excellent infrastructure in the midlands , we do European dispatch  and Brexit is not posing any difficulties for our customers”.

Shane went on to say:

“My belief system around business has always been to keep it simple; give the customer what he or she needs and they will not only use you but grow so everybody grows”.

“When the dust finally settles on Covid and Brexit we are going to need our small local sustainable businesses; there are huge opportunities in that and we are currently expanding  and developing  our order fulfilment systems to meet all their demands. We’re rolling out a brand new system that will allow customers to offer an online return service to their own customers.

For example if a customer purchases an item but wants to exchange it, usually people will return these via An Post but this can cost from €9 ,without tracking.  The system will allow customers to purchase a pre addressed label for the retailer. Once the customer prints off the label which will print their name a number so the retailer knows who the return is from. Once their customer prints the label they can attach it to the parcel and drop it into any An Post office.

• Customer can choose to let their customer pay for the return label or they can opt to cover this charge.

• This service is available to customers of any size, there is no minimum number of returns they must have each week.