Welcome to this month’s edition of Despatches.
Diamond is neck deep in peak and happily fulfilling most client’s deliveries. We would say, though, that peak is condensed this year – so make sure your customers know to order early to avoid getting caught up in the last-minute rush.
A big Merry Christmas from all of us here at Diamond. Thanks for your business in 2021 – and we hope your 2022 plans come true. Fingers crossed, eh?!
The real meaning of Christmas
As a nationwide network, Diamond teams around the country have been, and will be, taking part in the following to give a little back this Christmas:
- The Diamond Logistics network are helping to spread some joy to deserving children this Christmas by donating to the Barnardo’s Toy Appeal.
- Edward Bennett of Diamond Logistics Mid Wales took part in the Newtown Rugby Club Walking Rugby event raising money for the Movember Foundation.
- Diamond Logistics Warwick are sponsoring The Myton Hospices fundraising event in December and also providing vehicles for the charity to facilitate a Christmas Tree Collection in January with all funds raised going to the charity.
- Diamond Logistics Mid Wales/Station Couriers will be taking part in an attempt to break the world record and pull a lorry by hand down the length of a runway all in the name of raising much needed funds for the Wales Air Ambulance in April next year.
Diamond Blogs & Articles
Check these quick reads out for tips to make your business grow in 2022.
Sacred Spirits – Shared Success
As Christmas (at least in my house) is a time of joy and gin, this issue I want to share with you an interview with artisan alcohol client Sacred Gin, recorded for IMHX Connect. Here’s a brief extract – which discusses packaging and the impact of Brexit – that we thought you would find useful:
Kate Lester (CEO of Diamond Logistics): Hilary, each time I receive goods from Sacred Spirits it’s like Christmas. How important is design and packaging to the customer experience?
Hilary Whitney (co-founder of Sacred Gin): We have printed tissue paper and sustainable boxes, which I think is really important. Diamond has helped us a lot with that. The packaging we thought about very, very carefully. Yes, it must have a sense of occasion when it arrives. It must feel special, especially if it’s a gift. I no longer have to worry about having enough boxes. Diamond does all that.
KL: So how has Brexit impacted your business?
HW: So, for example, we don’t always need a full container to transport materials. Often we would share a container with another business. But now there is more paperwork, and if the other business gets a piece of that paperwork wrong, then the goods are stuck.
So, we’re being pushed towards using a whole container which is a really expensive call. It also takes a long time to complete the forms.
KL: So is this impacting on the cost of your raw materials as well?
HW: Definitely. We’re trying to swallow that cost as much as we can. But I I’m not sure what will happen. It’s inevitable that Brexit will impact inflation.
KL: What advice would you give to fellow eCommerce traders in the alcohol sector?
HW: Outsource your logistics if you can. If we hadn’t had Diamond as a partner during the pandemic we wouldn’t have been able to manage the volume. We couldn’t have set up a staffed warehouse ourselves. It was a lifesaver.
Watch the full interview here.
Make or break – key packaging tips for high-end homeware products
As the chosen eCommerce fulfilment partner to several luxury homeware brands, we offer our advice on the best packaging for high-end homeware, and the government’s plastic tax.
The new plastic tax applies to plastic packaging produced in, or imported into the UK that does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic. It will not apply to any plastic packaging which contains at least 30% recycled plastic, or any packaging which is not predominantly plastic by weight. Imported plastic packaging will be liable to the tax, whether the packaging is unfilled or filled. Find out more about the plastic tax and luxury homeware packaging in our latest blog here.
7 Top tips for your eCommerce website – from an online shopping addict
“I buy A LOT online and will be featuring our clients in my blogs moving forwards. Whilst I have been testing all their sites I have learnt a lot.”
Diamond Logistics’ Kate Lester trials the customer experience offered by online brands whilst satisfying her online shopping addiction and shares her top tips to make your online business even more successful. Read the full blog here.
Client Feedback
After some recent positive feedback, just a reminder that our Diamond Logistics Client Feedback Survey is available 24/7 for your use whenever suits you. Use the link https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/F895LR6 or QR code to access and complete with our sincere thanks. Please note this link is for non-urgent client feedback. Please direct any urgent matters to your local Diamond service centre.
Diamond Social Giveaway
Throughout December 2021 we are celebrating some of our wonderful clients with some Christmas giveaways across our social platforms, alongside some festive fun from Team Diamond.
Check out our social pages to take part: Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn/Twitter
Best wishes for the month ahead,
