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Pack & send Annual Results

Leading courier, freight, logistics and handling corporation, PACK & SEND, has today announced its FY2022 results. PACK & SEND closed with a A$103m global system wide revenue, up 13 per cent on the previous year. Opening 11 new centres and with no closures, PACK & SEND expanded its network to 124 Service Centres.

PACK & SEND is part of the MBE Worldwide (“MBE”) group of companies headquartered in Milan, italy. MBE is a leading ecommerce enabler proving solutions in ecommerce, fulfillment, shipping, marketing and print solutions to SME’s and consumers. At the forefront of its model, is continued investment in technology and training, leading PACK & SEND to continue to deliver innovative systems and development that give its Franchise Partners the strategic edge required to grow and succeed organically.

PACK & SEND Country Manager, Nicholas Woodward said, “We have set our sights on a growth roadmap. Our 124 nationwide footprint includes 43 logistic service centres and this will expand to at least 10 new centres in the next year with a target of 150 centres by 2025.”

“MBE Group has strengthened our brand and has enabled us to operate with global sophistication and offer new capabilities,” he added.

“ I can proudly say that 2022 has been probably our best year ever, both in terms of organic and inorganic growth,” said Paolo Fiorelli, MBE Chairman and CEO.

“Our future plans will keep leveraging on the passion, commitment and skills of our People combined with our innovative technologies, to help all of our customers to solve their daily challenges,” concludes Fiorelli.

Fitness Sector see Strong Annual Growth

GapMaps, a cloud-based data intelligence platform used by brands to pinpoint optimal locations for its physical stores, has released its quarterly Health & Fitness Retail Network Report, tracking centre openings and closures in Australia for the three months ending 31 March, 2023.

Monitoring 21 brands in 3,218 locations across Australia, the report shows 51 new centres opened and 57 closed: a net reduction of seven centres. Amongst the brands tracked, Fitstop Australia (+nine) and F45 (+eight) led centre openings in the quarter, whilst F45 (-10), Plus Fitness (-seven) and EFM Health Clubs (-seven) recorded the most centre closures.

At a state level, New South Wales saw most store openings with 18, whilst Queensland recorded the most closures with 20. “Despite this net decline, the sector has maintained strong growth over 12 months, with an overall net increase of 48 centres,” said Scott Johnson, Senior Analyst, GapMaps.

“This growth has been driven primarily by Fitstop Australia (+38 openings, 0 closures) and Body Fit Training Australia (+34 openings, no closures).

“This latest data continues to illustrate how brands are adjusting their network portfolio to cater for demographic changes as they look for optimum locations across the country,” he adds.

“Our GapMaps Live platform continues to provide network planners with the very latest data to help them make more informed decisions on where to open and close their fitness centres, and get timely insights into the changing competitive landscape across the sector.”

Just Cuts Wins Digital Award

Just Cuts has taken out the Digital Innovator prize at the Australian Retail Innovators awards in recognition of the brand’s ongoing commitment to convenience that continues to deliver for Clients.

Now in its fourth year, the awards are presented by Retail Doctors Group and form part of Australia’s largest omnichannel retail event, Retailfest, which was held at the Gold Coast Convention Centre for 2023.

Just Cuts have also invested in developing an internal app that allows all employees to accumulate points from sales, referred to as the empowerment program. When Stylists empower Clients with JUST iCE Professional

products exclusive to Just Cuts salons they earn points they can redeem for rewards like gift cards with major retailers.

Just Cuts CEO Amber Manning accepted the award at a Gala Dinner held at QT in Surfers Paradise.

“Digital innovation is important to us because we know it’s important to our Clients and teams,” said Amber. “Our digital innovations need to be simple because we specialise in cutting hair for everybody, and all digital technology is designed to provide practical improvements in our salons.”

“Digital transformation is an internal process as much as an external one. By using digital technology to monitor individual Stylist Cut rates, manage rostering and identify busy periods and track sales, we can capture what’s working and identify areas for improvement to ensure every Stylist provides and every Client receives a WOW service experience at Just Cuts salons.”

“Mental health is a big charity focus for Just Cuts owners who represent a growing network of small family owned businesses. That’s why we invested in a first for the hairdressing industry during COV iD– a digital mental health and wellbeing service that both our salon owners and Stylist teams can access anytime, anywhere.”

Be Your own Boss

Be Your Own Boss is an information source for people thinking of starting or buying a business and is written by Bill McGowan. Bill has over 50 years’ experience in business and started the highly successful Fastway Couriers in 1983. The book aims to make the process of staring or buying a business more manageable. Bill’s style of writing is intriguing and absorbing which makes the book an easy-to-read wealth of information.

Brem Ellingham from Peak Marketing says “Be your Own Boss by Bill McGowan is a great read and is full of tips for potential business owners drawn from Bill’s 50 years of business experience and his successes in franchised business”.

David Tran, Operations Manager for National Facilities Management calls the book a must-read. “What sets this book apart from other business books is the author’s focus on entrepreneurship as a mindset, taking risks, and being open to new opportunities. The book provides a step-to-step guide on how to start a business, from identifying what type of business is right for you to completing comprehensive research on the business you are interested in, the type of business models that are most suited to you along with how to write an effective business plan and much more!” says David.

Former franchisee Kevin Hoare related to the practical advice in the book and said he hung on to every word. “The book sets out clear objectives for motivated individuals, with the desire to better themselves, so Bill’s advice in this book to work hard and follow your goals gives us all a clear message that aggression plus goal setting = motivation”. Kevin’s goal was to better my life and be my own Boss.