In a world where people yearn for unique experiences, Universal Yums has found a winning formula: deliver delicious snacks from around the world directly to customers’ doorsteps. Universal Yums is a subscription box service that delivers a curated selection of snacks from a different country each month.
As Joseph Jarroush, Chief Operation Officer at Universal Yums, explains: “We’re able to bring families together, to sit around the table and taste the snacks that are coming in once a month and build excitement for that box when it shows up on their front porch.”
The company has positioned itself as the perfect gift option, especially during peak holiday seasons. “We’re a heavy gift company. Lots and lots of people are purchasing three, six, 12 month gifts for loved ones,” says Joseph. “It’s a gift that kind of keeps on giving. It’s not just ‘here’s a box, I hope you enjoy it.’ It’s ‘here’s a box for the next three months, here’s a box for the next six months.'”
The Challenge: International Expansion
Universal Yums built a strong presence in the United States, but they wanted to expand their reach to new customers abroad. The challenge? Finding a reliable partner who could help them navigate the complexities of international logistics while maintaining the customer experience they’re known for. Shipping internationally presents unique challenges – from customs documentation to delivery timeframes and customer expectations.
Prior to Passport, Universal Yums started to lightly expand to Canada through word of mouth and used ePost Global and APC Postal Logistics to ship to their Canadian customers. Juggling multiple international carriers presented its own challenges for their Operations team. Universal Yums needed a partner who could not only handle all of their international logistics but also provide insights into new markets for further expansion..
Why Passport?
To jump start their search, Universal Yums asked their ERP partner Fulfil.io for recommendations for a new partner. Fulfil, a Passport partner, made the introduction — and the rest is history!
The decision to choose Passport ultimately came down to several key factors:
- Customer-centric approach: Passport’s focus on providing exceptional service aligned with Universal Yums’ own customer-first philosophy.
- Dedicated support: Having a dedicated representative who deeply understands their business has been transformative for their international operations.
- Consolidation: Universal Yums could now rely on one international shipping partner instead of multiple, easing the burden on their Operations team.
- Streamlined Onboarding: Passport is already integrated with Fulfill, shortening onboarding by weeks if not months.
The Partnership in Action
Working with Passport has been more than just a transactional relationship for Universal Yums. Their dedicated representative, Jak, has become an extension of their team, providing proactive support and insights.
“Jak is interfacing directly with Fulfill on questions he has and feature requests he wants Fulfill to launch in the future. He’s also shared recommendations on things to do on the website to attract a Canadian customer, giving us more perspective on what’s going on in Canada and what the consumer mindset is.”
That collaboration extends to the rest of the Passport team too. “The Slack channel has been huge. My shipping and receiving team can now directly interface with our international shipper, which just wasn’t in the case in the past. We’re having the same experience with Passport that we have with our domestic carrier.”
Results: Building Global Connections
Through their partnership with Passport, Universal Yums has been able to successfully grow their Canadian presence. Outside their subscription renewal window, they typically shipped less than a full pallet to Canada each week. Since implementing Passport, their volume during those same periods has jumped to anywhere from eight to twelve pallets per week.
“We started doing more targeted marketing to our Canadian customers, and that’s really where Passport came into play for us. We turned the spigot on a little more, and started shipping a higher volume than expected. Passport came back to us to renegotiate rates and give us a further reduction due to the higher volume. To me that spoke volumes and meant that they wanted to be an actual partner to Universal Yums and not just a vendor.”
Looking Forward
As Universal Yums continues to grow their international presence, their partnership with Passport provides them with the support and expertise they need to navigate the complexities of global e-commerce.
With peak seasons being a critical time for their gift-focused business, having a reliable international shipping partner allows them to focus on what they do best – creating memorable experiences through global flavors that bring people together.
For ecommerce brands looking to expand internationally, Universal Yums’ success demonstrates the importance of finding the right partner who can provide both logistical support and market insights. As Joseph summarizes: “If you’re looking for an international partner, I would have no hesitation in recommending Passport.”
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