Australia is the eleventh-largest e-commerce market in the world with a projected value of USD 32.3 billion by 2024. The courier, express and parcel (CEP) market is projected to grow by 8.9 per cent this year alone.
Since joining CouriersPlease (CP) as CEO in February, Richard Thame has set about capitalising on the trend with an agenda for growth and transformation.
“Australia presents a significant growth opportunity for the CEP market, largely due to the surge in online purchases, its readiness to adopt innovation, established trading ties with South-East Asia and a relatively stable economy,” he says. “This is despite the increased operating costs for the industry on the back of rising oil prices, supply chain disruptions and the challenge of scaling up fast to meet demand.”
A rapid response to change
Thame believes that, in the coming three years, the most successful industry players will have digitised operations outside of physical deliveries and be able to pivot quickly in response to external economic, supply chain and environmental changes.
His own three-year plan includes building a sustainable company with a flexible workforce, more choice for customers and a larger digital footprint. He will also increase CP’s capability to meet rapidly growing demand, including expanding the regional fleet to provide a better service for the many Australians who have moved out of the cities in recent years.
“The customer experience will be an important litmus test for the success of the CP growth strategy,” he says.
He is also eyeing global growth.
“We have been leveraging the SingPost network to deliver to other markets and now we want to tap into global eCommerce trade,” he says. “Working with SingPost we will launch CP cross-border deliveries for customers importing products into Australia and provide our current local customers with cost effective access to global markets.”
A revitalised franchise model
CouriersPlease currently has more than 800 franchisees across 847 active territories. Thame plans to draw on his passion for innovation and franchising, and his breadth of experience in the franchise sector, to revitalise the CP franchise model.
“Our franchise model sets us apart as customers are dealing with fellow business owners rather than delivery drivers,” he says.
