#mailboxesetc.

Mail Boxes Etc. (UK) Limited becomes part of the MBE Worldwide community  

Mail Boxes Etc. (UK) is now part of the MBE Worldwide network, in a move that adds the UK and Republic of Ireland to the existing community of countries whose networks are directly operated by the global master licensor. MBE UK & Ireland, which has 153 stores, will join Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Poland, Portugal, US, Canada, Australia and The Netherlands – making up the 1,667 MBE branded locations, of the group’s 2,800 global service centres in 53 countries worldwide.

MBE UK & Ireland will retain its current management team and its headquarters will remain in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.

Simon Cowie, chairman of Mail Boxes Etc. (UK) Limited, believes this is an exciting development for the MBE UK & Ireland franchise system: 

“Combining forces with MBE Worldwide creates unique opportunities for synergy with our colleagues, harnessing their strong franchise-based experience to support our franchise network and grow our business in the UK and Ireland.”

Francis Laryea, managing director of Mail Boxes Etc. (UK) Limited said: 

“This acquisition demonstrates the MBE Worldwide commitment to growing the Mail Boxes Etc. brand and network of post, parcel and print centres across core European markets, at a time of trade disruption caused by the impact of Brexit, as well as the global Covid-19 pandemic.”

The acquisition is an attractive proposition from MBE Worldwide’s point of view too: 

“MBE UK & Ireland is an excellent addition to our directly operated countries because of its entrepreneur‐driven, people‐centric, customer‐first business model, which embodies our MBE business and culture. We welcome and are excited to work even closer with the team, to provide high‐value solutions to our business and consumer customers in the UK & Ireland market.”

Paolo Fiorelli, Chairman and CEO, MBE Worldwide

The change is good news for prospective franchisees, says MBE UK’s franchising manager, Heather Hannant: 

“This is a great time to join the MBE network in the UK or Ireland - entrepreneurs will be reassured by the size, strength and expertise brought by MBE Worldwide.”

For Mail Boxes Etc. products and services

To find out more about a Mail Boxes Etc. franchise

To speak to a member of the MBE team

MBE Worldwide is a leading third-party provider of shipping, fulfilment, print and marketing solutions and operates under different complementary brands: Mail Boxes Etc. (except the US & Canada), AlphaGraphics, PostNet, Spedingo.com, Print Speak, Pack & Send and Multicopy.

Don’t panic – we’ve got this!

Now that we’ve left the EU, if yours is one of the 200,000 UK businesses that currently trade with Europe, you might be wondering how to Brexit-proof your imports and exports. We’ve put together a quick checklist that should help.

Go with the flow

If you’re concerned about getting your products to customers throughout the EU, we can help keep things moving quickly.

For example, the new regulations have created delays for freight at Dover, and this has affected any packages shipped via road services into Europe. To avoid the chance that your shipments might be caught up in these delays, we can arrange for your goods to be shipped by air. Until everything is smoothed out as regards road freight, the extra cost will be worth it for your peace of mind and to ensure you continue to meet your obligations to your customers.

It goes without saying that we will also ensure your consignments are supported by the correct paperwork to ensure smooth transit through to their destination.

Watch out for EORI

Do you have an EORI number yet? We’re not talking about the donkey in Winnie-the-Pooh – if you are selling into the EU, you need an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number. You can apply for a ‘GB’ EORI number online*. It can take up to a week for HMRC to process, so take action now.

Know your codes & country of origin

Commodity codes, harmonisation codes, tariff codes – what are they? These are the codes allocated to describe the goods you sell overseas. Why do you need them? Because these codes, coupled with an accurate description and value, ensure that Customs are aware of what is being shipped and can automatically calculate any tariffs or charges applicable to your goods as they cross the border with the EU, or any other international destination. Using the right codes will minimise the risk of delay. And don’t forget to detail the correct country of origin of the goods, in case this differs from the country of export/import.

Get expert help

We’ve outlined the basic steps you’ll need to take to prepare your business and protect your supply chains. But perhaps one of the easiest and smartest of these is to work with an expert agent who can steer you through the complexity and deal with customs for your international shipments.

At Mail Boxes Etc. we’re your local shipping experts, and we’ve got Brexit covered. We understand customs, duties and taxes, harmonised/commodity codes and country-specific regulations. We’ll keep your goods moving seamlessly across borders by cutting through the challenges of importing and exporting in a post-Brexit world.

Contact us to find out how we can take the headache out of ensuring your business is Brexit-proof.

As the busy show season approaches, you may be thinking of attending a franchise exhibition to find an opportunity that suits you. You might speak to a number of franchisors and receive plenty of literature but still be left unconvinced about the right franchise for you. Exhibitions are a great way to find out more about the industry but don’t forget not ALL franchise brands attend every exhibition. Mail Boxes Etc. can’t be at the next National Franchise Exhibition but will be at Olympia in January 2017. However, there are other ways to discover more about this exciting franchise!

Mail Boxes Etc. will be holding their next Discovery Meeting on 7th October 2016, presenting another great opportunity to see a working store, learn more about how the franchise works, and ask as many questions as you need, to help you make the right choice.

“At Mail Boxes Etc., we care about our franchisees, and we understand that investing in a franchise is not a decision anyone takes lightly! It takes time to research, understand the brand and also to decide whether it’s a business you can see yourself enjoying. We want you to be both happy and successful in our Mail Boxes Etc. family, so our recruitment process is designed to help you make those important decisions, but equally, to help us understand whether our business is the right one for you too!” explains Heather Hannant, Head of Franchise Development.

Mail Boxes Etc. is the only high street chain to offer consumers and local companies a truly comprehensive range of business services. Their high street, one-stop-shop concept offers its customers a mix of international and national shipping, mailbox rental, postal services, printing and copy services to mention a few. With 1,600 stores in five continents including over 155 in the UK and Ireland, they are one of the world’s largest non-food retail franchises, and continue to grow year on year.

Why are so many large brands falling away from the UK’s high streets? Even with the economy experiencing a recovery, many high street stores have dropped away from local high streets. So, how do Mail Boxes Etc. stay in business despite fluctuations in the economy and changes in customer behaviour? 

Mail Boxes Etc. constantly innovate, introducing a variety of services for their franchisees to keep attracting new customers whilst keeping those existing customers coming back for more! Franchisees are able to choose from a range of products and services to sell, all of which can be tailored to meet demand. Mail Boxes Etc.’s ever evolving business model allows its franchisees to stay ahead of the market and, in turn, provide their customers with everything they need and more.

Mail Boxes Etc. is the only high street chain to offer consumers and local companies a truly comprehensive range of business services. Their high street, one-stop-shop concept offers its customers a mix of international and national shipping, mailbox rental, postal services, printing and copy services to mention a few. With 1,600 stores in five continents including over 155 in the UK and Ireland, they are one of the world’s largest non-food retail franchises, and continue to grow year on year.

“We are very proud of our business and its steady growth pattern to date; so sustainability is a key focus to maintain the business and promote continued growth. One of the key factors which reflects our success has been to maintain the core products whilst introducing additional products and services to enhance the business. Different locations have varying needs so our franchisees have the option to adapt their services to meet the market demand in their area. Adopting this practice has allowed our network to stay ahead of competitors and remain successful,” explains Heather Hannant, Head of Franchise Development.

As many high street stores disappear due to the popularity of online shopping and fewer and fewer people browsing in their local stores, you can be sure that Mail Boxes Etc. will benefit from this change in trends with their national and international shipping where demand continues.