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World Options expands Northampton office

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Danielle Waterhouse has joined the team at the Northampton office of World Options as a Sales Executive.

Part of MBE Worldwide, World Options is the largest retail group of franchised shipping services companies in the UK. The World Options shipping portal allows business customers to compare quotes from the leading carriers, and to send and track shipments, with customer service provided by a dedicated account manager.

Northampton businessman Matt Patten launched a World Options franchise in May 2022, and is seeking to grow the business further, servicing businesses across the UK.

Welcoming Danielle to the company, he said: “We are very pleased to welcome Danielle aboard.  She joins us at a great time. With the global economy becoming more connected and with the boom in e-commerce, the courier industry is a growing market so it’s a great sector to build a career in.

“When shipping parcels worldwide, businesses can be confused by the number of options available and can often stick to one courier service, even though that might not be the best option for every package they send.

“World Options offers customers the opportunity to ship domestically and internationally with the likes of DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT and more. We help businesses choose the right option for every shipment, and our bulk-buying power means customers pay a competitive price for their shipping –  cheaper than they could negotiate for themselves, whether that be for parcels, pallets, freight transport, documents or imports, either nationally or internationally.

On commencing her new role, Danielle said: “I am very excited to be joining the team at World Options. Many businesses find international shipping confusing. We ease the pain by providing one point of contact for the courier options we offer customers, and by providing customers with proactive information on the status of their shipments to prevent minor issues from turning into major problems.

“Matt and I commit to answering all phone calls within three rings, and World Options has extended service level agreements with all the main courier companies, so we can provide our target customers with more support than if they were dealing with shipping on their own. And of course, given the volume of business we are doing across our network – with all couriers, our customers not only receive excellent customer service but competitive pricing as well.”

World Options Holdings Ltd manages three brands in the UK; Mail Boxes Etc., PACK & SEND and World Options, providing e-commerce, fulfilment, shipping, virtual office, marketing and print solutions to SMEs and consumers. Companies within the group now maintain and support over 260 franchisees, generating combined annual revenues of £80m.

World Options Holdings is part of MBE Worldwide, which in 2022 served over one million business customers globally, generating Euro 1.3 billion of system-wide gross revenue through its network of over 3,150 business solution centres in 52 countries, and Euro 22 billion of gross merchandise value traded through its PrestaShop e-commerce solutions.

World Options expands Limitless PR contract

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Courier services company World Options has expanded its contract with Limitless PR to encompass two further brands.  

Part of Milan-based MBE Worldwide since July 2022, World Options Holdings Ltd manages three brands in the UK; Mail Boxes Etc., PACK & SEND and World Options, providing e-commerce, fulfilment, shipping, virtual office, marketing and print solutions to SMEs and consumers.

Delivering under these individual established brands and business concepts, the three companies, operating as part of World Options Holdings Ltd, together maintain and support over 260 franchisees, generating combined annual revenues of £80m.

World Options began working with Limitless PR in April 2023 to support its franchise growth and has now expanded the agency’s contract to provide similar support for Mail Boxes Etc and PACK & SEND. 

World Options Holdings Ltd managing director Mike Gratton said:

“We are pleased to report that we have experienced robust double-digit growth this year, consistent with our track record of steady demand increase for our services over the past several years. 

“World Options has seen a dramatic increase in entrepreneurial individuals who want to invest in a proven, life-changing business, whilst being their own boss and within a thriving sector. 

“Our services span domestic and international channels, and our commitment to simplifying shipping for our customers has removed common shipping barriers. Our monthly shipment figures for this year have consistently exceeded the previous year’s, reflecting our positive trajectory.

“Growth in the last year puts us on track for our UK target of achieving 30% year-on-year growth by collaborating as one cohesive network alongside our franchise partners.

“We are now working with Limitless PR to develop increased brand awareness and understanding across all our three brands, with a particular focus on franchisee audiences for each, to support our ongoing growth as a group.”

World Options Holdings Ltd managing director, Mike Gratton

World Options Holdings is part of MBE Worldwide, which in 2023 served over one million business customers worldwide through its multi-brand operations (Mail Boxes Etc. [except in the US and Canada], PrestaShop, PostNet, PACK & SEND, Spedingo.com, AlphaGraphics, Multicopy, Print Speak, GEL Proximity and World Options), generating €1.4 billion.

World Options Leigh office expands with appointment

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Sarah Tomkins has joined the team at the World Options office in Leigh, Greater Manchester, as a Customer Support Executive.

Part of MBE Worldwide, World Options is the largest retail group of franchised shipping services companies in the UK. Its shipping portal allows business customers to compare quotes from the leading carriers, and to send and track shipments at no extra cost, but with increased customer service compared to booking direct.

Mick Sherlock and Nick Daley launched the World Options franchise in Leigh in January 2021. Now employing a total of five, the Leigh office is one of the company’s fastest-growing franchises and is set to grow its sales staff further in the first half of 2024 to support its ongoing growth, servicing businesses across the UK.

On commencing her role, Sarah said: “I am very excited to have joined the team at World Options. Many businesses find international shipping confusing and sometimes frustrating.

“We make things simple by providing one point of contact and advising on the best courier options for each individual shipment and by providing customers proactive information on their parcel’s or pallet’s whereabouts because of the extended service level agreements we have with all the main courier companies including DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT and more.”

World Options Holdings Ltd manages three brands in the UK; Mail Boxes Etc., PACK & SEND and World Options, providing e-commerce, fulfilment, shipping, virtual office, marketing and print solutions to SMEs and consumers. Companies within the group now maintain and support over 260 franchisees, generating combined annual revenues of £80m.

World Options Holdings is part of MBE Worldwide, which in 2022 served over one million business customers globally, generating Euro 1.3 billion of system-wide gross revenue through its network of over 3,150 business solution centres in 52 countries, and Euro 22 billion of gross merchandise value traded through its PrestaShop e-commerce solutions. For more information go to www.worldoptions.com

What climate rollbacks could mean for EV adoption in the courier industry

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

The adoption of electric vehicle (EV) technologies provides a huge potential opportunity for the courier industry to significantly reduce its carbon footprint. But while several barriers are already limiting timescales of adoption across the industry, Mike Gratton of World Options considers how current political developments could also affect wide-scale transition.

As a major part of the global economy, the shipping and courier industry has massive potential to assist worldwide efforts in achieving net zero, if it is able to implement changes on a cross-industry scale.

One of the largest opportunities comes from the potential widescale transition to EVs, though there are still several barriers to comprehensive adoption.  

Current barriers include underdeveloped charging infrastructure, anxiety around long-term EV performance, and also both EV availability and affordability. Charging infrastructure is particularly challenging for courier drivers who cover many miles each day, meaning the limited battery range of many EVs currently on the market can make it difficult for courier drivers to opt for electric vehicles.

That said, several of the major courier companies are investing in EV logistics and planning to expand their zero-emission EV fleets over the next ten years. So, while the use of electric vehicles in the courier industry appears to be increasing, the industry-wide transition is expected to be gradual. 

On an infrastructure level though, many are arguing that recent political developments could impact the pace of EV adoption. In the UK for instance, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last year announced a major U-turn on key green targets, including delaying the ban on new petrol and diesel cars announced by his predecessor Boris Johnson.

This move has been criticised in some quarters for potentially increasing long-term costs and threatening the UK’s reputation as a global leader on climate issues, while vehicle manufacturers have accused the Government of moving the goalposts after they have already committed to major technological investments based on the previous targets.

Meanwhile, in the US, some have commented on a growing anti-EV sentiment among some right-wing politicians. Former President Donald Trump, now vying to regain the presidency, and other US conservative politicians have criticised EV policies, arguing that they threaten jobs and national security by increasing dependence on China, which controls much of the world’s battery minerals and manufacturing.

While these developments are not particularly helpful for an industry trying to improve its climate impact, and while significant challenges remain for the widespread adoption of EV technology in the courier industry, these are not insurmountable.

Working together for a common cause, and with continued investment in infrastructure, technological advancements, and supportive policies, the courier industry can play a significant role in reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change.

Mike Gratton is managing director of World Options Holdings Ltd which manages three brands in the UK; Mail Boxes Etc., PACK & SEND and World Options, providing e-commerce, fulfilment, shipping, virtual office, marketing and print solutions to SMEs and consumers. Companies within the group now maintain and support over 260 franchisees, generating combined annual revenues of £80m.