Dive Brief:
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Big Apple Buddy is a new startup that helps international clients obtain goods from the U.S. The New York City-based company does research, discount negotiations, shopping, packaging, shipping, and offers some personalized advice on products and shopping for $40 and up.
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The two Australian founders, Phillis Chan and Ben Chaung, work with device companies like the Hello Sense Sleep Tracker, DxO One DSLR Camera, Soundhawk, Thync Device, and Seek Thermal Camera, and fashion brands like Ralph Lauren, Levi¹s Jeans, Lilly Pulitzer, Hugo Boss, Michael Kors, and Coach to move products abroad more quickly.
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Consumers in China, Latin America, Australia, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Western Europe, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and even Canada are especially keen to obtain products not yet available in their markets, Big Apple Buddy has found.
Dive Insight:
In the 19th century, wealthier consumers could, and would, travel to Paris to collect the latest in fashion. Even today, some international wealthy shoppers still make trips to London to shop in upscale department and luxury stores.
Today, e-commerce, souped up logistics, speedier transportation, and the global ambitions of many retailers would seem to make importing and exporting a snap. But, although the global economy has busted a lot of barriers, it can take a while for some items to reach shores beyond the U.S. in a timely manner due to sometimes-undeveloped shipping infrastructure, customs, and shipping fees.
Enter Big Apple Buddy, whose founders discovered first hand after moving to the U.S. that here there is a treasure trove of gadgets and fashions that can’t be found elsewhere for quite some time. Rather than limit their activities to doing favors for friends, Chan and Chaung decided there was a need for an international personal concierge service for professionals too impatient to wait the months or even years for some in-demand products to become available locally.
“We wanted to be a buddy to our clients around the world, to leave no stone unturned to ensure that they receive their desired goods promptly and reliably. We advise on products, pass on shopping discounts, form relationships with stores so clients can access extra savings and exclusive products, and answer questions around the clock,” says Chan.