FedEx expands International Connect Plus across Europe

Following the launch of FedEx International Connect Plus (FICP) in January 2021, FedEx has expanded access to its day-definite e-commerce delivery service. The service is now available in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Austria, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands. FICP is a day-definite delivery service, which means there’s a guarantee to deliver a package within a certain date. FedEx International Connect uses local carriers in the destination country for final-mile delivery. It managed over 16.5 million parcels in 2019.

49% of consumers will shop online more frequently

The way consumers shop is changing every day and rapidly transforming the retail landscape. Research shows 49% of shoppers will shop online more frequently once the COVID-19 outbreak is over. In addition, online spending was projected to go up globally by 14% to €2.96 trillion this calendar year. Because of this significant uptake in e-commerce, FedEx is reshaping its product portfolio for e-commerce customers.

Supporting European businesses on their growth

FICP will support European businesses on their growth journeys by connecting them to more customers in global and intra-European markets. Doing so by offering customers access to a larger suite of e-commerce services. Expanding its European e-commerce capabilities is a key pillar of FedEx’s European growth strategy.

Using FedEx International Connect Plus, online businesses are able to offer their buyers an additional international shipping option at attractive prices. Furthermore, FICP allows e-commerce businesses to reach online shoppers in Europe in 2-4 days, North America in 3 days and Asia-Pacific in 3-5 days.

More visibility, control and convenience

The new service comes with the reliability of FedEx’s international, day-definite delivery service, coupled with FedEx’s customs clearance expertise. Other supporting capabilities include tracking, sending out notifications to receivers and flexibility to change delivery options via FedEx Delivery Manager®. Ultimately, this provides shoppers with visibility, more control and convenience over their online orders.

FICP has proven popular with e-commerce businesses

“Since launching in Italy and the UK earlier this year, FedEx International Connect Plus has proven popular with e-commerce businesses and consumers looking to strike a balance between speed of delivery and value for money”, said Wouter Roels, Senior Vice President Marketing International, FedEx Express Europe. “As part of our European growth strategy, our aim is to offer our customers a suite of shipping solutions that are easily accessible and match their specific delivery needs.”

FICP is currently available on 240 trade lanes out of Europe. Moreover, FedEx is working to expand FICP to more than 600 lanes. This means over 150 intra-European and 200 inter-continental lanes are expected to be added before the end of the 2021 calendar year.