EB Games: Faster Logistics with Team Global Express
"Speed to store is crucial for us," said Paul McDonald, EB Games Senior Distribution Manager. "We need our retail operations aligned on the same timeline, which led us to seek a more robust and flexible logistics solution."
Paul explained that the previous reliance on a single rail option for shipping stock from their Queensland base to their Western Australian stores introduced complexity and vulnerability to external factors, such as extreme weather, which could significantly disrupt services. This part of their supply chain involved daily collection of mixed goods from Brisbane, multiple sorting and transportation stages, extending delivery times to 7-9 days, and increasing risks and costs due to frequent handling.
By partnering with Team Global Express and utilizing a hybrid service incorporating palletised express and parcels solutions within our multimodal network, EB Games was able to re-engineer this crucial part of their supply chain. The flexible combination of road and rail, operating within an extensive domestic network with a scheduled express service, enabled EB Games to move pallets and parcels faster to more locations, more often.
Faster Delivery, Reduced Handling, and Demonstrable Efficiencies
The solution significantly reduced handling and the frequency of pickups, leading to greater delivery reliability and cutting delivery times to 3-4 days. While specific figures remain confidential, the efficiencies gained through the partnership resulted in substantial cost savings for EB Games, allowing them to reinvest in other areas of their business. These improvements also reduced the risk of product damage.
"A big part of our success lies in our strong reputation. When a supplier announces a game, our team is quick to inform customers so we can begin the process of taking presale orders," Paul said. “As soon as the stores open, those presales are fulfilled, ensuring customers can pick up their game. This trust is built on our service providers consistently meeting these expectations—without timely deliveries, customers wouldn't get their games on time."
Paul emphasised that timely deliveries and consistent service are crucial for effectively communicating with their stores about stock arrival times and in-store setup schedules.
Adapting to Seasonal Demands and Diverse Locations
"Because of the seasonality of our business, no week or month is the same in terms of volume, so it's really a day-to-day operation,” he said. “We want to make sure that customers can have their hands on the latest games or pop culture releases —whether they are down the road from a suburban shopping centre in a metro city or in more remote locations—they're all as valuable to our business regardless of their location.”
Visibility of freight at all times is a critical requirement for the EB Games Customer Service team, who utilise the MyTeamGE portal to track and trace stock deliveries and provide delivery times to their stores. "Our development team collaborated closely with Team Global Express’s IT team to establish the requirements for getting the API system communications up and running,” said Paul. "Thanks to this partnership, we were able to set up sign-ons and gain access to the MyTeamGE portal within just a day or two."
A Collaborative Partnership for Success
According to Paul, the collaborative nature of the partnership between EB Games and Team Global Express has been key to its success. “We have been partners with Team Global Express for just over 12 months and feel as though we have had support through all levels of the business,” said Paul. “Continuation of that relationship and service continues to help us grow and maintain our position as the number one specialty retailer in Australia, and our relationship with Team Global Express is a big part of that.”