eShopWorld is a provider of cross-border e-commerce solutions that prides itself on giving shoppers all around the world seamless access to its favorite brands. Through its innovative software, extensive logistics infrastructure, and cross-border expertise, eShopWorld has empowered some of the world’s most iconic brands to grow internationally while delivering a seamless, localized online shopping experience. eShopWorld’s modular solution gives online retailers control over the end-to-end international customer journey – from checkout to returns, allowing them to sell global but feel local to cross-border shoppers. Having been recently named by Deloitte as the #1 fastest growing tech company in Ireland, we decided to catch up with Chief Commercial Officer, Ahmed Naiem to hear about their success, and their plans for 2016.
Q: eShopWorld has been ranked #1 in the 2015 Deloitte Technology Fast 50, tell us something more?
A: The Deloitte Fast 50 is a ranking of the fastest growing companies in a particular sector – in our case the Technology sector. Deloitte audits growth over a five year period, and then presents its findings in the form of a ranking, which it calls the Fast 50. eShopWorld entered the Fast 50 for the first time this year, and was awarded with the #1 rank, with a growth rate of more than 3x the next fastest growing company.
I think our success at the Fast 50 highlights how we’ve been able to identify and produce a suite of solutions that delivers significant value to global retail brands. The online space is driving growth in retail, with consumer appetite for global brands pushing demand. Retailers are becoming more and more aware of the cross-border shopping opportunity, but also the level of complexity involved in successfully building relationships with international consumers. Our solutions take the pain out of cross-border retailing, and help some of the world’s biggest and most iconic brands manage the end to end customer journey, from checkout to returns.
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Q: What advantage does eShopWorld have over its competitors?
A: I think it’s very simple. Our commitment to build solutions that are driven by our customers’ needs is what sets us apart. We understand that global retailers have spent significant time and effort building their brand equity. When a shopper buys from a specific retailer, what they are really seeking out is a brand experience. Our solutions put that experience front and center of the shopper journey. It’s not about eShopWorld – it’s about the retailer and their relationship with their customer. Our job is to ensure the integrity of that relationship. And we believe we do it as well as, if not better than, any of our competitors.
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Q: More generally, how do you see the eCommerce landscape developing, and where do you place yourself in the industry?
A: Undoubtedly, e-Commerce is driving retail expansion worldwide, in a climate of declining bricks and mortar sales. There are a number of factors driving this growth, such as the growing middle classes in emerging markets, availability of technology, and access to the internet. However, what we now see emerging is a change in online shopper demands. For example, whereas a shopper in China might previously have been satisfied with being able to purchase a product, and were willing to pay a premium to do so, there is now an expectation for globally aligned pricing and shipping models. Product is not enough – experience is king, the differentiator. International shoppers want to feel part of the brand ‘family’. Consequently, that is where the value lies for retailers – in building lasting relationships. The retailers that can deliver that experience successfully will earn the loyalty and mind of the shopper.
At eShopWorld, we have a vision whereby every shopper around the world can access and engage with their favorite brands, as though they were just on the shopper’s doorstep. And it is our mission to deliver that shared future, to both retailer and shopper.
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Q: Do you have any particular advice for startups planning to start an ecommerce business?
A: I think starting an e-Commerce business is essentially the same as starting any other business. Listen to your customers and what they want. Then deliver it to them in the best way you can. In e-Commerce terms, if a shopper in Riyadh wants to pay for a product with cash-on-delivery, or another shopper in Munich wants to pay using Sofort, then make sure they can do it. Make it as easy as possible for your customer to buy from you. Offer them value on shipping. Make sure they can return products with ease. In essence, earn their trust and work hard to maintain it.
Q: What are your plans for 2016?
A: 2016 is shaping up to be an exciting year for us. We intend to further evolve our offering and continue driving value for our customers, by responding with agility to developing market conditions. Around the globe, new markets are emerging for e-Commerce, and we are working to ensure that our customers have a quick, robust route to these markets. Incorporating new local payment methods, and building regionalised fulfilment models will allow us to reach these heavily populated, high growth regions, where there is huge appetite for global brands.
In essence, we want to keep working towards our vision, and achieve our goal of building and enabling relationships between the world biggest retailers, and shoppers around the world.
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