Opening an online store and cutting the costs of warehousing services as much as possible is possible in cooperation with pickup points. In fact, these are intermediary companies that take on part of the courier services and eliminate the need to wait for the client in the office to receive the goods. So, the advantages of issuing points are:
- assistance in filling out forms and accompanying documentation for the product;
- no need to visit the central warehouse to give the goods;
- for customers, the convenience is that the goods are ready for delivery on the day of registration;
- transfer of money to the account of the owner of the online store will be carried out in any convenient way.
WHAT CONDITIONS DO POINTS OF ORDER ISSUANCE WORK ON?
Usually, a service agreement is concluded with the seller, according to which warehousing of the goods or courier pickup of the paid goods according to the schedule is provided. By the way, unlike online stores themselves, order pickup services are required to work on weekends and holidays. Otherwise, what's the point in them! It should be convenient for the buyer to pick up his order at any time.
For their services, these points, of course, take a commission. It can be from 100 rubles for each order (to make it interesting to work with them). Or in the form of% of the value of the goods, if it is high. Further, prices depend on the set of ordered services. For example, some points offer services of warehousing, documentary registration, packaging of goods and labeling, issuing a check for goods. As well as the possibility of returning and exchanging goods.
ADVANTAGES OF COOPERATION WITH PICK-UP POINTS
For small forms online store s
First of all, this is the absence of expenses for renting a room. A weighty argument that allows you to move a small office closer to the city center and forget about hangars and their maintenance. Further, working with order centers brings a good customer base and increasing profits. Remember that the buyer likes to feel an exclusive attitude to himself, he likes the opportunity to choose the delivery method - pick up the order at the point or wait for the courier at home all day. Finally, experience: when an experienced company takes over logistics services, it eliminates many of the mistakes made at the initial stage.
For big players
The scale effect is very simple: increasing the possibility of issuing goods entails the possibility of increasing the load, selling a larger volume of items. Savings in warehouses have not gone away, and taking into account the volume of goods passing through them, the commission of points of issue pays for itself. The implementer, on the other hand, assumes minimal risks, transferring responsibility to the other party, and he switches his attention to diversifying the business or improving the quality of service.
NECESSARY - MEANS NECESSARY
It turns out that distribution points play an important role in helping the business to develop. It remains to understand how to reach them and conclude favorable conditions for cooperation. To do this, study the list of services operating in your city. Give them a call and ask about collaboration opportunities. Check prices for different volumes of goods sold. Finally, select the pickup point with the most adequate technical support and the geographically closest location. Believe me, although this is the concern of their couriers, but reducing the distance greatly simplifies life.
The organization of delivery is an integral attribute of a business specializing in sales via the Internet. The service claims to be an independent activity without its own online stores. Its organization does not require large investments, so the implementation of a business is within the power of even novice entrepreneurs.
Pickup point
Relevance
Internet-enabled consumers are increasingly opting for online shopping. Their essence lies in the acquisition of goods from a seller located anywhere in the world, from home. To increase sales, entrepreneurs sell goods not only through stationary stores, but also through online stores, which become an additional source of income. However, at the delivery stage, a business representative may have problems, because for her organization it is necessary to be able to use the courier delivery functionality, which is not available in all regions, or to have a point of issue of purchases.
The possibility of independent export of goods purchased in the online store increases the attractiveness of the outlet.
An additional option allows the customer to inspect the item of purchase before receiving it and test it if necessary. If a defect or inconsistency of the characteristics of the goods with the declared parameters is revealed, the buyer has the right to refuse to purchase and demand its replacement or refund. Pickup points are an additional source of income. In them you can not only pick up the purchase, but also get advice, order and pay for the goods, using the services of specialists.
It is profitable to organize a point of issue of goods from online stores even in a small town, since most Internet users make purchases on the worldwide web. The attractiveness of the business line lies in its demand among consumers, since buying under such a scheme is characterized by saving personal time and reducing the cost of goods.
Business Features
When compiling a business plan for the point of issue of orders for online stores, one should take into account the specifics of entrepreneurial activity in order to subsequently avoid difficulties in work. A feature of sales through worldwide networks is the coverage of a larger target audience than when selling goods through a stationary store. Therefore, the point of issue of goods will be attractive not only for potential buyers, but also for owners of online stores that do not have their own point of issue of products. The constant demand for services by all types of clients determines the demand for business, which guarantees its quick payback and profitability.
post boxes
The essence of the entrepreneurial activity of the point of issue of goods purchased by users via the Internet is the execution of a transaction with the seller, who transfers the products for packaging, packaging and issuance to the buyer. The business can be organized according to the scheme of independent points of issue of goods purchased on the worldwide network.
The size of the initial investment in the business, the time of their payback, as well as the list of measures to ensure the functioning of the activity and its promotion, depends on the popularity of the company. If you open a point of issue of orders for online stores under a franchise, then you can receive income in the first days of its operation. An unknown outlet will require additional investments in an advertising campaign.
When working on a franchise, a constant influx of customers is guaranteed, but the entrepreneur will not be able to translate his own developments into reality.
When opening their own outlet, a business representative runs the risk of not paying back the investment and closing as a result of the losses incurred. For this reason, franchise cooperation with a well-known retail outlet is recommended, which will allow you to quickly develop and expand the network of distribution points. For example, the well-known online store Wildberries, which specializes in clothing sales, has many active pickup points. Having formalized cooperation, you can successfully work on the scheme of selling similar products via the Internet.
Read also: How to Increase Sales in a Retail Grocery Store
Where to find partners for cooperation
The result of the activity of the point of issue directly depends on the number of partners configured for long-term cooperation. With their help, it is possible to organize well-coordinated work and get the expected profit.
External design of the Wildberries pick-up point
To search for companies that would agree to cooperate, it is necessary to draw up a written business proposal and send it to potential counterparties. It is easy to form their list on your own by analyzing the responses to requests for sales portals in search engines.
You can advertise your offer to use the point of issue or declare through viral Internet advertising. Entrepreneurs get high returns from promoting a landing page displaying profitable cooperation offers with promotions, bonuses and discounts.
A good income can be obtained from joint activities with delivery services by opening your point under their name. In such a situation, the franchisor will assist in finding partners, since he is interested in maintaining his rating and in obtaining additional income.
You can find business partners by establishing cooperation with companies specializing in logistics services. Partnership relations with them will be formed according to the mediation scheme. In this situation, the intermediary will be a logistics company, and the subagent will be the owner of the pickup point.
How to choose a direction
All pickup points cooperate with retail outlets specializing in the sale of products. The business plan should indicate the areas of activity in the direction of which work is planned, as well as the category of goods of the online store, the interests of which will be represented. In the process of work, it is recommended to compile a list of partner sites and strive to expand it. Of all the areas, we can distinguish areas in which purchases are often made on the Internet:
- cloth;
- cosmetics;
- technique;
- electronics.
When opening a self-delivery point under the partnership scheme with well-known companies, for example, with such as eBay, you should study the terms of cooperation, which are usually displayed in the "Partnership" section on the official websites of trading platforms. When signing the agreement, it should be noted that the delivery and organization of the point of issue of goods may not be possible in every region.
To conduct a business for the issuance of products ordered on the Internet, registration of a business entity is required. Depending on the planned scale of activity, an entrepreneur can register as a legal entity or individual entrepreneur. After obtaining a business status, you should choose the optimal taxation regime.
The interior of the Ozone pickup point
The implementation of mail forwarding, as well as work via the Internet, is possible upon registration of retail trade services under OKVED. For financial mutual settlements, a business representative needs to open a bank account. Additionally, you will need to issue permits from the fire service and from the SES. Before starting work, it is necessary to conclude an agreement for cleaning the territory with a cleaning company for garbage collection and security.
room
When choosing a room, it should be borne in mind that it must be equipped with storage racks, as well as fire and burglar alarms. It must be reliable and exclude the possibility of penetration by unauthorized persons, since valuable parcels are supposed to be stored in the warehouse.
The modern trading format is a convenient and fast registration of any purchases via the Internet. The buyer and seller only have to decide how to deliver and receive the goods. One of the most popular options is pick-up points. An incredibly profitable business idea can become the main source of stable profits, you just need to understand the nuances of its implementation. Do you want to know why open a pick-up point? All answers are in our article.
Pick-up points are a great way to organize a small (usually limited to one city or region), but very stable business. Want to try? Then, first of all, you should decide which online stores will become your main partners.
The choice is incredibly large, but you should focus not on the popularity of a particular Internet site on the Web, but on the demand for the goods it offers in your locality.
Here are a few almost win-win options for product lines, from which it makes sense to start developing your own business:
- women's and children's clothing;
- developing goods and toys for children;
- cosmetics of popular brands that prefer the network method of distribution;
- electronics and goods for needlework.
To manage and automate the point of issue of orders, a cloud service is perfect - Biznes.Ru Ecommerce. Convenient work with orders and clients, full-fledged trade and warehouse accounting, all primary documents.
Step 1. Assessing the main risks
The main risks of this project include:
- problems with regulatory authorities as a result of insufficiently competent financial and accounting management. How to avoid risk: to outsource bookkeeping and personnel records.
- loss of reputation due to breach of customer service terms. How to avoid risk: establish customer service standards and strictly follow them.
- high competition with transport companies. How to avoid risk: organize a wide and convenient network of points of issue with the maximum set of bonuses.
- financial losses due to improper organization of delivery, accounting and storage of goods. How to avoid risk: think in advance where the products will be stored, test the delivery mechanism on small batches.
Step 2. Paperwork
When registering as a business entity, it is best to choose the most popular and simple option - IP. Its design takes a minimum of time and money. When choosing OKPD, it is best to focus on paragraph 47.91, it reflects the specifics of your activity as accurately as possible.
Depending on the set of additional documents required in your region, up to 20 thousand rubles may be required for registration and payment of the state fee.
Activities are taxed under the simplified taxation system. Additionally, you will need to open a bank account of the paying agent and purchase a cash register for accurate accounting and reporting.
Step 3. Choosing a location and premises
To save on office rent, you should focus on finding a suitable option in areas of the city that are remote from the center, but have good transport accessibility. At the initial stage, 20-25 square meters are enough to organize a workplace and a warehouse, because the parcels will not be stored with you for a long time.
Rich decoration is an unnecessary excess, it is enough that the room is clean and comfortable, preferably located on the 1st floor, heated, equipped with a bathroom and high-quality ventilation.
Step 4. Technology and the Internet
As for the equipment of the premises, then there will not be a large cost. All you need is shelving for decorating the warehouse area and a stand for the operator who issues parcels to customers. Of the equipment, you must purchase a computer or laptop, as well as a cash register that meets the minimum requirements.
Of course, since you work directly with online stores, you will also need a stable connection to the Global Network. The safest way is to use a fiber optic connection from an operator that provides a wide range of tariffs and round-the-clock technical support.
Optionally, you can install video surveillance cameras at the point to ensure security and control over employees, the system can be connected to the private security console.
Step. 5 Recruitment
To eliminate the risk of downtime and failures in the operation of the point, it is worth providing for two operator positions with a shift work schedule. If you plan to deliver bulky or heavy goods, choose stronger men, otherwise you will also have to pay for the work of a loader.
Your employees must be friendly and decent. After all, by organizing a point of issue of orders for a particular online store, in the eyes of customers, you become part of a particular brand, company. Your reputation directly affects the attitude of customers towards the store itself.
Ozon.ru is one of the largest online stores operating in Russia and neighboring countries. 18 years on the market, over 1.2 million visitors and over 4 million products. To start cooperation with Ozon.ru by opening an order pick-up point, you need to:
- have a certificate of registration as a legal entity or individual entrepreneur;
- rent a comfortable room in an accessible area of the city with a daily work schedule of at least 19 hours, including weekends;
- purchase and register a cash register;
- organize stable Internet access and conditions for calling customers;
- provide for the possibility of returning unclaimed parcels and collection of profits.
You may be denied if your pickup location:
- is not on the first line or far from public transport stops;
- less than 10 square meters;
- not equipped with a burglar alarm and access system;
- not well enough ventilated;
- does not have the furnishings and necessary equipment, as well as a place for the customer to check the contents of the order.
The CRM system for an online store from Business.Ru has the ability to integrate with delivery services, which allows you to track the status of shipped orders by track number. And an open API and our experts will help you set up an exchange with those delivery services that your online store works with.
Wildberries is another of the largest players in the e-commerce market. A million visitors and 120 thousand orders daily, more than 15 million products available for order.
The store management did not formulate special conditions for those wishing to organize a point of issue of goods from Wildberries. However, the list of main requirements for partners includes mandatory registration as a legal entity or individual entrepreneur.
Basically, the store focuses on the benefits of mutually beneficial cooperation, actively promoting the idea of expanding the network of representative offices and expanding the client base of wholesalers. At the Store Forum, those who wish to cooperate are offered to personally negotiate the terms with the management.
Do you want to open a pick-up point for this store? We advise you to contact a specialist of the Wildberries Customer Service Quality Control Group directly and discuss individual terms of cooperation.
How to open a Lamoda pickup point
About 2 million products, a thousand brands, prompt delivery and a unique service: "measure, choose, pay later." The popularity of the Lamoda online store is due not only to the fact that foreign specialists founded and promoted the project, but also to the fact that the store is completely autonomous. How to open a point of issue of goods from Lamoda? You will not find such information on the official website.
A large list of vacancies and a list of existing distribution points, along with courier delivery, cast doubt on the relevance of the idea of cooperation. But, if you want to know for sure how this is possible, contact the management. Firstly, you will get first-hand information and discuss individual conditions, and secondly, you will be able to make sure that the company is customer-oriented and the effectiveness of the B2B format declared by it.
How to open an Aliexpress pickup point
The issue of organizing a pick-up point for goods ordered on one of the world's largest Internet sites "Aliexpress" was discussed on the "Aliexpress for Professionals" portal. Given the system of delivery to the recipient, which is mostly used by Chinese online stores, the organization of pickup points looks, to put it mildly, inappropriate.
The portal specialists answer such questions as follows: “Aliexpress is a Chinese company and it is unlikely that they will be interested, a person on the site writes his address and post office index. You need to open your own post office, but you won’t be able to do it - this is the territory of the state.” And, nevertheless, it is worth noting that one such point in Russia still exists. It is located in Moscow.
One of the most popular and largest online stores specializing in books and stationery is Labyrinth. A huge range of books, the possibility of pre-ordering or exchanging, a convenient affiliate program designed for cooperation not only with legal entities, but also with individuals…
And not a word about the organization of distribution points. And all because the company has a wide partner network throughout the country and a well-organized courier delivery system. In addition, in almost every major city, Labyrinth has its own pickup points for goods, which dramatically reduces the chances of obtaining individual terms of cooperation with the store.
The CRM system for an online store from Business.Ru has extensive opportunities for working with your own couriers. In a few clicks, you can create a list of orders for delivery to a specific area for a courier and print a route sheet.
Unlike most network companies selling cosmetics of their own brands, Faberlic does not focus only on private distributors. However, far from everyone can manage their own point of issue of Faberlic goods. To do this, you must be "in the system."
That is, you need to be an ordinary distributor of this cosmetics in the status of a private person. You will receive permission to organize an HTP only if:
- your group's catalog sales will be at least 600 points;
- you will be registered as an individual entrepreneur or receive permission from a superior mentor;
- rent an office in a place with good traffic (but not in a shopping center, and not in an apartment);
- your office area will be more than 10 square meters.
How to open a pick-up point for multiple stores
When planning cooperation with several stores at once in order to open a common point for issuing goods for them, it should be noted that:
- Being direct competitors to each other, some companies may refuse to partner after seeing a list of alleged "neighbors". You will have to select stores in such a way that there is no conflict of interest.
- Having received consent to cooperate with the declared composition, it will be necessary to carefully study all the requirements of each of the stores. Be prepared that some of them will contradict each other.
- Trying to satisfy all requirements, it is worth taking the maximum performance as a basis, otherwise. When expanding your business, you may encounter serious obstacles and refusals to continue cooperation.
- It is best to resolve organizational issues in this case directly with the managers or senior specialists of the stores, only in individual negotiations can a compromise solution be found to the issues that have arisen.
Opening a point of issue of orders for a franchise
Franchising is a very common practice not only abroad, but also in Russia. It is equally beneficial for those who work under a franchise, and for those who allow their brand to be used. The first gets the opportunity to quickly and successfully start, the second - the influx of new customers and expanding the geography of sales.
The benefits of using a franchise include:
- the opportunity not only to see the product of interest to the client in the picture, but also to touch, measure, evaluate it live, which reduces the percentage of returns;
- simplicity and efficiency of processing the replacement and return of goods that did not suit the client, which positively affects the company's reputation;
- reducing the cost of delivering goods to the recipient.
As for the cons, there are not so many of them. Perhaps, only the need for additional costs for the delivery of goods to the point, which is easily covered by a high level of demand for goods. Such well-known brands as Boxberry, CDEK, PickPoint, and maxima-express actively use the advantages of franchising.
Is it profitable to open a pick-up point
You want to open a pick-up point - how much income will this enterprise bring you and is it worth starting at all? The experience of many successful entrepreneurs who once relied on just such a project suggests: it’s worth it! The project can be considered successful if every day the point issues from 10 to 15 parcels worth 1,000 rubles or more each.
Taking into account the fact that the percentage for the transfer of goods to the buyer is small, only about 1.5-2%, the payback period can range from 3 months to one and a half years.
With the development of technology, there are more and more affordable ways to purchase a thing, the cost of which will be much lower than in a store. Therefore, every year an increasing number of people are wondering how to open a pick-up point for orders from online stores.
In this case, it will be most beneficial, which will help you benefit from promoted products and well-known brands.
Relevance
A very common practice, as it helps both sides earn money at once. If a client buys things through an Internet resource, for example, aliexpress, then he will be able to choose the method of receiving the goods on his own, and thereby save money, because in this case there is no need to pay for delivery to the door.
In this way, the aliexpress site itself will benefit greatly, because it increases the attractiveness for customers.
The opening of a service center is relevant not only for large cities, but also for small settlements, as it helps customers save their own time.
Advantages and disadvantages
Opening a point of issue of orders for a franchise has a number of advantages:
- the client can always see how the product looks live, and not in the picture. This helps to reduce the number of returned goods, which reduces the cost of their transportation;
- if the order does not meet all the requirements, then the employee will always help arrange its return or replacement. This will help raise the reputation of the entire company, because only trained people work in such points;
- reducing the cost of delivering goods to the customer. This is true if a small company has several branches that are located in different cities that are far from each other.
Among the minuses, only additional costs for delivering goods to the place can be distinguished, but increased demand from customers usually compensates for them.
self-discovery
You can also open a pick-up point on your own, but for this you need:
- be . In this case, the second option will be more profitable, as it will entail lower costs;
- find a room that will be at least 15 square meters in area. m., and it must also be in a public place. At the same time, it is worth considering the amount of rent;
- make a complete renovation of the premises, as well as buy all the equipment, furniture and take care of the Internet connection;
- take care of signs that will help attract customers;
- find employees for the initial time, as well as conduct training with them;
- to start and completely design your own website on the Internet;
- if the room where the pick-up point is located is small or in a hard-to-reach place, then you should take care of having your own courier.
Important! If the work of the distribution point is successful and profitable, then over time it will be possible to expand it and open additional offices.
With successful work, it is worth opening your own online store, which will help increase profits.
Important! At the initial stage, the opening tries to invest large amounts of money.
Opening by franchise
Most Russian and international companies provide the opportunity to purchase a franchise of an order pickup point.
Small business grants in 2017
For this you need:
- find partners who will offer the most favorable conditions for cooperation;
- agree on all the nuances of the franchise;
- open the point itself, at which the goods will be issued. At the same time, a company, for example, aliexpress, should help in opening;
- Aliexpress must provide training for employees who will work at the pickup point;
- the company, in this case aliexpress, can carry out marketing and advertising campaigns to promote the item, as well as advise customers.
To open a distribution point, the following rules must be observed:
- the person buying the franchise must be an LLC or have the status of an individual entrepreneur;
- before submitting an application for concluding a contract, a room must be found in which the goods received from the company will be stored, as well as their issuance. It is best if the premises are owned by the franchisee or a lease agreement is concluded;
- the center must be fully equipped. To do this, you need to buy a cash register and register it. Also, the entire office must have an uninterrupted Internet connection;
- Initially, a minimum number of employees are required to be trained. Over time, the staff should be expanded.
Important! Experience in a similar business is optional. Only when all these conditions are met, it will be possible to open an issuing point.
Opening for multiple stores
To obtain increased benefits, it is worth concluding more contracts and opening an office that will be suitable for placing and transferring goods of different brands into the hands of customers. At the same time, the algorithm for opening an office is no different from the algorithm for working with one company. Here it is only worth expanding the list of firms to which applications will be submitted.
How artificial intelligence will help return some of the money
Documentation
To register this type of business, it is necessary to submit a number of documents and obtain permits, including:
- to obtain legal status. person or IP. In this case, it is required to pay a state fee, the amount of which varies from 10 to 20 thousand rubles, depending on the region;
- on the payment of taxes in the USN format, and you also need to open a payment account with a bank and carry out all transactions only through a registered cash register;
- from SES. Since the goods are not unpacked, in this case the list of requirements will be minimal;
- permission from the fire department.
After receiving the relevant documents, it will be possible to proceed directly to opening an office and doing business.
Risk