Packing and shipping franchise offers no-limits service

PACK & SEND is the franchise opportunity that delivers

PACK & SEND is a unique business. While it is over 20 years since the first PACK & SEND store opened in its native Australia, the company is still relatively new to the UK - the first UK franchised store opened in 2010.

However, it already has an impressive list of blue-chip clients, including Coca-Cola, Qantas and even the United Nations, a rapidly growing repeat customer base and some impressive statistics:

* Like for like sales doubled in the last year.

* Average gross margins of 73 per cent and still growing.

* Average transaction values that are 10 times the average for the logistics industry.

* One third of UK customers using the company’s services on a repeat basis.

* The growing demand for its services is being driven by increasing globalisation, eg increasing international internet trading and foreign travel for business and pleasure.

No Better Time to Join PACK & SEND
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With its long-standing trading history, commercial track record and growing market momentum, PACK & SEND combines the early adopter benefits of a start-up opportunity with the confidence of a proven business model.

The availability of attractive territory opportunities across the UK and a drive to grow the store network means the business already demands the attention of serious investors and entrepreneurs; and now there has never been a better time to join the PACK & SEND team with the launch of an innovative bursary scheme providing up to £20,000 of financial assistance for high quality candidates who are ready to commit to the business quickly. See separate panel opposite for more details.

PACK & SEND is a business proposition which has genuine unique selling points to underpin its franchise model:

* A specialist in packing items for safe shipment - regardless of how large or fragile they are.

* The widest range of shipping options to ensure it can offer a choice of cost-effective solutions that meet virtually any deadline or budget.

* Comprehensive loss and damage cover that protects a customer’s shipment - no matter what the value.

All the stores pride themselves on delivering the highest levels of customer service and their end-to-end ownership of collection, packing and final delivery anywhere in the world makes them uniquely easy to do business with.

PACK & SEND stores can ship anything, however they specialise in handling items that are:

* Fragile - laptops, electronic equipment and glassware and china.

* Large - trade show equipment, car parts and musical instruments.

* Awkward - architectural models, chandeliers and statues.

* Valuable - artwork, antiques, timepieces and collectables.

“If you have an unpacked fragile, large, awkward and valuable item for shipping,” explains Tony Fowles, PACK & SEND UK General Manager, “then there are very few options available other than investing time and money in personally accompanying the item from door to door - and this is rarely practical or cost-effective. PACK & SEND can resolve the issue at a fraction of the cost and with the care and attention you would give the goods if you were transporting them yourself.

“Our customers treasure the items we send for them and want to know that they receive the highest levels of care. PACK & SEND’s packing expertise, combined with our unequalled Gold Cover unlimited value loss or damage protection, gives unique peace of mind for individuals.”

The PACK & SEND proposition is also perfect for businesses:

* Distribute fragile, electrically sensitive or time critical IT equipment between sites or to remote users.

* Facilitate exhibitions, conferences or demonstration events.

* Safely deliver essential parts, samples, proofs or prototypes anywhere.

* Manage high-end office moves.

* Deliver personal items to fulfil probate obligations for lawyers and solicitors handling clients’ wills.

Why Choose A PACK & SEND franchise?
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Owners say that running a PACK & SEND store means there is no such thing as a typical day. As every store promises that ‘We Send Anything, Anywhere!’, it is no surprise that their customers are continually testing them with ever stranger items to ship or odd locations to reach, but they are proud to say they have yet to fail to meet a challenge set.

PACK & SEND customer enquiries come from store walk-ins and phone calls, local marketing activity, website requests routed to store inboxes and direct contact with local businesses. There is also regular repeat work from existing customers and referrals from the company’s freight and shipping partners.

PACK & SEND is looking for highly motivated enthusiasts who share the vision of providing a ‘no limits’ service to their customers and who want to benefit from a robust business model that is proving as successful in the UK as it has been for 120-plus shops in Australia. The company has territory opportunities across the UK and increasing levels of business being completed between stores in the UK network.

PACK & SEND franchisees benefit from:

* High gross profit margins.

* A rapidly cash generative business model.

* Proven business results - PACK & SEND’s first UK store showed net profits in year one.

* A distinctive identity that stands out on the high street and is increasingly being established as a global brand.

* High value franchisee support services. Initial training is intensive, including at least four weeks’ hands-on work before launch and comprehensive in-store support afterwards. PACK & SEND will even work in your store with you for the first weeks of trading to help you build a rewarding and successful business.

* Regular customer web leads directly into their email inboxes.

* Low staffing levels and business to business trading hours.

* Low levels of non-perishable stock.

* British Franchise Association membership.

PACK & SEND requires a target investment of around £100,000-£120,000, which is estimated to get your store to break even and hence self financing from then on. The company has relationships with several high street banks and can provide detailed advice on market assessments and business planning.

PACK & SEND FRANCHISE BURSARY SCHEME
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As PACK & SEND has grown in the UK, the board and shareholders have been looking at ways in which they can provide a higher level of financial assistance to high calibre individuals who have the desire and skills to own and operate a PACK & SEND store and are ready to move quickly, but perhaps don’t quite have the required liquid capital.

The result of this is the PACK & SEND bursary scheme.

The scheme is in place to provide a minimum of £10,000 and up to £20,000 of interest free financial assistance towards the set up of their stores. This assistance is in addition to the 50 per cent of funding that PACK & SEND’s banking partners will typically provide and, therefore, can reduce the liquid capital requirement of opening a PACK & SEND store to as little as £30,000. There are a number of qualifying criteria and the level of assistance is decided on a case by case basis.