Australia Post partners with PayPal to support Australian businesses online
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Australia Post has today launched, Driving Business Online, a partnership with PayPal to help Australian businesses reap the benefits of the rapid growth in online shopping.
Launched by Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy and Minister for Small Business Nick Sherry, the program is part of Australia Post's commitment to growing the Australian eCommerce market.
"The increasing popularity of online shopping presents Australian small businesses with a real opportunity to take advantage of this emerging market," Australia Post Managing Director and CEO, Ahmed Fahour said.
"More than half of our business contract customers already have an online presence and this number will rapidly increase as online shopping is projected to grow at more than 10 per cent each year over the next decade.
"We're committed to supporting Australian business and there is no reason that Australian businesses cannot be amongst the leading business in eCommerce worldwide."
Mr Fahour said Australia Post delivered more than 100 million parcels last year, with 70 per cent of this volume generated by online shopping.
"Australia Post is working around the clock on a range of initiatives to help make ecommerce more convenient for customers and businesses," said Mr Fahour.
"Last year we partnered with eBay on an exclusive satchel for online traders that offers flat rate delivery anywhere in Australia.
"An amazing 85,000 satchels were sold within the first 24 hours, demonstrating strong customer demand for a product that makes it easier for customers to manage postage online."
Frerk-Malte Feller, Managing Director, PayPal Australia said the 'Driving Business Online' campaign would be primarily aimed at helping small to medium sized businesses get online.
"We are delighted to be able to partner with some of Australia's most respected brands on this initiative. We share a common interest in supporting Australian SMBs, so are able to deliver a comprehensive program that will provide advanced and relevant resources and expertise to small businesses," Mr Feller said.
With a presence in every community across the country, Mr Fahour said Australia Post is in a unique position to provide a range of products and services for small businesses.
"We recently launched our Click and Send service for domestic parcels and integrated the service with eBay, enabling small businesses to calculate postage, create mailing labels and book a courier to pick the mail item up, all at the click of a mouse button without needing to leave home or office. " said Mr Fahour.
The Driving Business Online campaign will see a bus tour through 15 towns in regional New South Wales, where local businesses will have the opportunity to participate in one-on-one consultations bus with trusted eCommerce experts.