Spiraledge is a leading internet retailer and healthy living company with decades of experience in ecommerce, owning several multi-million dollar online businesses. They manage successful health and fitness-related brands, including SwimOutlet.com, the web’s most popular swim shop, and EverydayYoga.com, one of the first yoga-focused online retailers.
With technology at the heart of Spiraledge’s culture, the company has driven its success by perfecting the online shopping experience and has been recognized for top-rated customer service. Building on their domestic achievements, Spiraledge was well-positioned to capitalize on global markets but faced considerable hurdles in international expansion. This led them to Passport.
International Challenges and Pain Points
Before partnering with Passport, Spiraledge’s international business was minimal and difficult to manage. Ronny Chazanovsky, Director of Product at Spiraledge, recalls “It was painful. Not having additional support would stop us in our tracks. We are a lean team that lacked both the resources and the background for [expanding to other countries].”
Many brands face similar issues, with primary challenges and pain points including:
- Global Logistics – International shipping involves intricate cross-border logistics and navigating various regulatory requirements, presenting a significant hurdle.
- Expertise & Support – Handling customs clearance requirements, such as Harmonized System (HS) coding, was particularly challenging without the proper expertise and support.
- Operational Bandwidth – Limited internal resources made it difficult to set up and manage international operations effectively.
How Passport Helped
Partnering with Passport has transformed Spiraledge’s international business. Our holistic approach oversees every aspect of going global, allowing brands to concentrate on their core business while leaving the complexities of cross-border logistics and compliance in capable hands. “We went from no international exposure to being open to the rest of the world with minimal effort,” said Ronny Chazanovsky. Passport has enabled SwimOutlet and Everyday Yoga to expand internationally and achieve significant growth in global markets without straining internal resources.
“Working with Spiraledge has been wonderful. They are a collaborative team with a commitment to their customers and are always looking for ways to continue to partner with us in their international strategy. SwimOutlet trusts Passport to handle the complexities of their international shipping, allowing them to focus on their business,” shared Casey Benaya, Senior Customer Success Manager at Passport.
Here’s how Passport supported Spiraledge’s global success:
1. Global Logistics – By leveraging Passport’s extensive global network, Spiraledge was able to offer more affordable and reliable international shipping, resulting in lower costs and better delivery choices. As the carrier, Passport also provides industry-leading tracking, keeping customers informed about the status of their shipments, enhancing the overall shopping experience.
2. Localization – Passport continues to grow its partnership with Spiraledge, helping them further localize their international shopping experiences. By tailoring to local preferences and needs, Passport ensures that buyers can feel as comfortable purchasing from Spiraledge as from a domestic retailer, leading to increased conversion rates across various markets.
3. Compliance Expertise – Passport’s in-house compliance team is equipped to manage all aspects of customs clearance, including HS classification, which had previously been a significant challenge for Spiraledge. Leveraging our licensed customs brokers, we classified over 240,000 SKUs, a service that could cost upwards of $35 per SKU if outsourced, since only US-licensed brokers can classify products with detailed HS codes beyond the six-digit level. We even introduced a simplified way to handle international tax compliance through Passport Seller of Record™, helping Spiraledge overcome regulatory barriers, expedite the customs process, and reduce costs.
4. Brand Education & Ongoing Support – All Passport partners receive detailed onboarding and education on international shipping and compliance, as well as ongoing assistance in navigating global markets. This guidance and continuous support have been crucial in ensuring smooth operations and identifying optimization opportunities for Spiraledge.
5. End-Customer Service – By handling all customer inquiries regarding international shipments, Passport gives brands back valuable time to focus on more important initiatives. This also helps customers receive timely and accurate information about their orders.
“Passport has [helped us achieve driving international sales] and we have further expanded our goals to support more localized experiences. With the initial data we have gleaned, we now know which markets have strong organic interest in our offerings.”
Ronny Chazanovsky
Impacts of Partnering with Passport
Since partnering with Passport, Spiraledge has experienced remarkable improvements in their international sales and operations. Key results include:
- Sales & Revenue Growth – Spiraledge has achieved over $3.2 million in international sales since launching with Passport in June 2022. Passport’s strategic recommendations, such as country-specific approaches and competitor analysis, have driven higher sales and improved conversion rates. Spiraledge continues to see steady international revenue growth year-over-year, with a 24% increase in the last 12 months.
- Cost Savings – By utilizing Passport Seller of Record™, Spiraledge avoided over $17,000 in fiscal compliance costs, including registration fees and ongoing annual expenses in countries requiring local tax registration. Additionally, they saved over $33,000 by having Passport handle more than 900 support tickets.
- Shipping Optimizations – As of June 2024, SwimOutlet and Everyday Yoga have shipped nearly 30,000 packages to 80 countries with Passport, achieving a 99% delivery success rate and ensuring reliable service for international customers. They have also seen significant improvements in transit times across major markets, especially in Canada (their top market) with a 25% reduction from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024.
Spiraledge and Passport’s Collaborative Success
Spiraledge achieved impressive revenue growth by expanding successful US brands like SwimOutlet and Everyday Yoga into international markets, capitalizing on global demand. With Passport’s extensive services and support, they overcame previous shipping barriers and thrived in new regions. Spiraledge was able to sell products worldwide, increasing revenue while maintaining their high customer service standards, all without needing additional internal resources.
For ecommerce brands aiming to boost revenue by expanding their reach, Passport Global provides the tools and expertise to simplify and accelerate entry into global markets. Ready to elevate your brand or enhance your existing international operations?
Set up a discovery call with our team today to see how Passport Global can fuel your growth.
