Are you considering investing in a mail franchise opportunity? You’ve come to the right place. That’s because here at Franchise Fame, we not only offer you a platform where you can find multiple shipping franchise opportunities but we also give you a brief breakdown of this lucrative sector so that you can make an informed investment decision for your future.
So, let’s take a look at some of the interesting industry facts and statistics to help you get started on your journey to business ownership with a shipping franchise business.
- As a starting point, it’s important to know that third-party logistics service providers have arisen all over the world as demand for online shopping skyrockets. Over the past 20 years, mail and shipping franchises have grown in leaps and bounds, catering to the heightened demand for online purchases that must be delivered quickly and affordably to the required destination.
- A staggering fact is that since the start of the 2020s, business volume for mailing and shipping franchises has increased by a whopping 37%. This makes the industry highly attractive, lucrative, and profitable.
- This is spurred on by the fact that there are over 20 billion parcels shipped around the US each year. Parcel revenue rose by 29% to $171 billion in 2020 alone. While this was largely spurred on by stay-at-home and social distancing orders, the industry continues to thrive as people realize the convenience and massive variety that comes with online shopping.
- However, the industry consists of several different segments, among which include: letter posting (such as traditional letters, greeting cards, utility bills, mail-based advertising and others); telegram and messaging services; couriering of small and large parcels; document services (such as printing, copying, scanning, and faxing); packaging and labeling services; mailbox rentals for businesses and individuals; passport/ID photos and delivery; secure document shredding; food and grocery deliveries; etc.
- When it comes to food and grocery deliveries, 2020 saw a 103% rise in this sector, and despite stay-at-home orders being lifted, the trend has continued on an upward trajectory.
- It is interesting to note that these business service franchises are capable of delivering parcels or goods that are generally considered too heavy for traditional letter-posting services. Through economies of scale, they offer more cost-efficient alternatives when shipping goods and parcels.
- When you choose a mail franchise, a shipping franchise, a pack and ship franchise, or a courier franchise, you’ll notice that most deal in the business-to-business (B2B) space, offering services to the consumer market. However, others offer business-to-consumer (B2C) services, and yet others focus on both. In addition to this, some of these mail post franchises focus on distributing direct mail advertising for both consumers and businesses. In addition to these services, larger international shipping franchises deal with international logistics as they provide delivery services to global enterprises which need fast and effective delivery solutions.
Mailing and Shipping Trends in 2024
Choosing to invest in a pack and ship franchise or a postal franchise means staying ahead of the competition at every step of the way. This necessarily means that you should stay on top of important industry trends and developments that are shaping the way in which business is run. So, without further ado, take a look at some of the most prominent trends shaping the industry to help take your shipping franchise to another level.
- When it comes to online shopping today, one of the most attractive incentives for customers is free shipping. While the cost of shipping is usually borne by the seller, a package shipping franchise stands to benefit in big ways as they deliver vast quantities of goods to multiple global destinations on behalf of retailers.
- If you run a shipping center franchise, you will most likely develop strong relationships with leading retailers, who will rely on you for quick and reliable deliveries to their customers. Some shipping options that they may make use of include same-day or next-day delivery.
- Another key trend in the sector is the ability to track deliveries through automation and technological tools. Customers are able to see where their parcel is in real-time, giving them greater control and visibility when it comes to collection, acceptance, or signing for their delivery.
Why you should consider investing in a mail-and-ship franchise opportunity
Investing in a mailbox franchise comes with countless benefits worth exploring, among which include:
- You take on a fully operational business and don’t need to start from scratch.
- You significantly reduce your business risks with a franchise as opposed to a startup.
- You won’t need to engage in market penetration from the ground up. Instead, the market will already be clearly defined for you.
- You’ll also be able to tap into the benefits of an established brand that consumers already know and trust.
- An existing operational supply chain will help you launch your franchise business much more smoothly.
- You and your employees will also receive world-class training from your franchisor so you always know what to do in any eventuality.
- You’ll get full guidance with regulatory compliance.
- Other areas of support you can enjoy include Human Resources (HR), operational infrastructure, and products and services that have been proven to resonate with your customers, among many others.
How much does it cost to open a shipping franchise?
There are many factors that influence the cost of opening a mailing and shipping franchise. Among these include your location, the geographical territory you will be serving, the need for physical premises to run your business from, utility costs, staff recruitment and training, wages, partnership networks, suppliers, and more. In addition, you should be aware that you’ll need to pay an initial franchise fee, meet certain minimum liquidity requirements, ongoing royalty payments, marketing and advertising costs, and have a certain amount of investment capital for the initial investment into the business. On average, however, the initial franchise fee for a mailing and shipping franchise ranges from $25,000 to $250,000.
Exploring Regional Growth for Mailing and Shipping Franchises
To help you identify the best markets for your mailing and shipping franchise, we’ve divided the United States into four major regions—Northeast, Midwest, South, and West. Each region offers distinct opportunities for expansion, fueled by e-commerce growth, business logistics needs, and increasing demand for efficient delivery services.
Northeast:
Midwest:
South:
West: