Canada’s March Madness Spurs Purolator International

Canadians are avid fans of NCAA Division basketball but “up North,” March Madness describes another kind of sport altogether.   March concludes the government of Canada’s, most Province’s and many Canadian businesses’ fiscal year, making it a prime month for funding requests and negotiations.  According to Purolator International President John T. Costanzo, this ritual is a reminder for U.S. businesses to consider their game plan in Canada.

“Canada’s economy is healthy and the increased buying power of Canadians is a potential boon for U.S. businesses,” says Costanzo.  “At Purolator, we are seeing the greatest growth in e-commerce and the good news is that roughly 62% of Canadians will be making their online purchases from U.S. companies.”

The Canadian government reported that Internet sales passed $15.1 billion in 2009, an 18 percent increase from the $12.8 billion Canadians spent online during 2007.  Canadians are embracing Internet sales and are projected to spend more than $22.8 billion this year.

“But U.S. companies will miss an opportunity if they don’t put in place efficiencies and cost-saving logistics for shipping goods to the end users in this burgeoning e-commerce market,” cautions Costanzo.

A 2010 report by Visa Inc. noted that while Canadians believe U.S. Internet sites offer a wider selection, buyers refuse to pay extra shipping or unexpected charges for cross border sales.  U.S. companies determined to seize the potential of the Canadian market will often contact Purolator International for advice because of its U.S.-Canada cross-border expertise that stems from shipping one million packages a day to, from and within Canada.  For information, visit www.purolatorinternational.com.

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About Purolator International

Purolator International is a subsidiary of Purolator Inc., Canada’s largest integrated parcel and freight delivery services provider. Purolator International specializes in the air and surface forwarding of Express, Freight and Parcel shipments, customs brokerage, fulfillment and delivery services to, from and within Canada.

In addition to facilities throughout New York, Purolator International has locations in key US and Canadian markets including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Detroit, Cincinnati, Nashville, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, Philadelphia, Boston, Raleigh/Durham, Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.