FedEx Corp. is expanding its capabilities in two key areas to enhance the rapidly growing e-commerce market.
On one front, the FedEx Cross Border subsidiary announced the expansion of its global e-commerce business to new three locations: Saddle Brook, N.J., Fontana, Calif., and Venlo, Holland.
“This expansion enables FedEx Cross Border to help more merchants reach new customers in over 200 countries and territories around the world, increasing our ability to capture more of the growing global e-commerce market,” Carl Asmus, president and CEO of FedEx Cross Border, said. “We continue to invest in the transportation and technology solutions our customers want and expect, strengthening an already robust e-commerce portfolio.”
The new locations give business-to-consumer merchants benefits such as flexible delivery options, end-to-end tracking, commercial and postal import clearance options, and a portfolio of final mile delivery solutions.
In addition to transportation, FedEx Cross Border offers technology solutions. In the U.S., this includes payment integration, currency conversion, information related to regulatory compliance, and payment fraud protection into websites and platforms.
“By providing post-click delivery options that balance speed and costs, and pre-click technology that can be used to develop effective online marketplaces and platforms, FedEx Cross Border is enabling online merchants to flourish in this thriving industry,” Asmus added.
On a second front, FedEx Freight, which provides less-than-truckload (LTL) services, set an expansion of its FedEx Freight Direct service to more than 80 percent of the contiguous U.S. population following a pilot in select markets earlier this year. The new e-commerce solution offers delivery of bulky items such as furniture, TVs and exercise equipment by FedEx Freight team members into residences and businesses.
FedEx Freight Direct is the company’s first standardized service to make deliveries through the door and into homes, and will enhance delivery into businesses with new options. The service incorporates technology to increase shipment visibility, give consumers enhanced delivery choices and offer exceptional convenience.
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FedEx said the growth of e-commerce is changing customer expectations, creating new opportunities in the LTL market. This includes an increase of inbound freight to distribution centers as e-commerce companies build more centers closer to their end customers, as well as deliveries to customers who purchase larger items online and expect delivery inside their homes or places of business.
“Today’s consumers are just as comfortable purchasing a television or sofa online as they are groceries or books,” Brie Carere, FedEx executive vice president, and chief marketing and communications officer, said. “We’re seeing more oversized items move through our global network. FedEx Freight Direct is critical to addressing these challenges as part of our growing e-commerce portfolio.”
The FedEx Freight Direct service and technology were designed using customer feedback and offer consumers more convenience and reliability with three service levels to meet speed and budget needs.
Basic to-the-door service is available to 100 percent of the contiguous U.S. population. Standard service, available to more than 80 percent of the contiguous U.S. population through 173 service centers using the FedEx Freight Priority LTL network, offers delivery into the first room of convenience in a residence or business. This includes a two-hour delivery window and the ability for customers to select delivery times and receive proactive notifications.
Premium service includes delivery to room of choice and optional packaging removal. Premium deliveries will be conducted by two FedEx Freight employees to ensure safety and quality of service.