The alliance, which helps to address the rising cost of cross-border e-commerce for DTC brands, will facilitate improved cost, time, and compliance benefits, and unlock access to a global e-commerce market expecting record growth again in 2022 to more than $5.55 trillion, according to a joint press release by both the companies.

As part of the agreement, ESW will support SEKO’s roster of clients with global end-to-end e-commerce technology and services to help them expand their DTC businesses. SEKO, in turn, will give ESW’s clients immediate access to enhanced logistics and fulfilment support, including expanded in-country warehouse presence and returns centres at over 120 locations globally to provide faster and more convenient customer experience.

“This new partnership will provide SEKO and ESW’s combined roster of clients with superior global DTC e-commerce solutions,” said Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne, ESW’s president and CEO, Americas. “SEKO’s logistics leadership offers a globally scalable solution for warehousing and returns, bringing ESW clients all the benefits and growth potential of an e-commerce fulfilment network spanning 40 countries.”

The announcement comes as the world of global e-commerce, particularly in the last year, has shifted. With the rising cost of airfreight, cross-border e-commerce brands now recognise the need for local fulfilment to reduce shipping costs, expedite delivery times, and address complex compliance issues, added the release.

“The size and scale of our global fulfilment footprint, combined with ESW’s e-commerce technology, makes this partnership so exciting. We have customers in our portfolio who want what ESW offers, so we bring immediate basket aggregation opportunities. This type of collaboration is driving the growth of the e-commerce ecosystem,” added Brian Bourke, SEKO’s chief growth officer. “Our partnership with ESW provides these solutions immediately, and we’ve already won our first fulfilment customers on the strength of our combined offering. We are giving SEKO’s e-commerce clients the chance to partner with ESW on their globalisation journey.”

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)