Unlocking North American Markets: A Case Study on Expanding a Beauty Brand to Amazon and Walmart Canada
- Ahmed Ammar
- May 26
- 4 min read
As globalization continues to advance, businesses are increasingly looking to diversify their markets. One notable case is a beauty brand that ventured into North America. By tapping into platforms like Amazon and Walmart Canada, this brand aimed to expand its reach, navigate challenges, and establish a presence in a competitive marketplace.
Client Overview
Our client is a well-known beauty brand based in MENA, celebrated for its skincare and cosmetic products rich in high-quality ingredients. With a solid customer base in MENA, the brand has built its reputation by providing top-notch products at accessible prices.
Eager to extend its reach, the company is eyeing the North American market's potential. They are committed to understanding the best practices in international trade and e-commerce logistics to succeed.
Challenges
Entering the Canadian market presented several significant hurdles:
No Physical Presence: The brand lacked distribution in North America, making it difficult to deliver products efficiently to customers.
Navigate Regulations: Understanding Canadian import regulations, tax implications, and compliance for beauty products proved challenging.
E-commerce Logistics: There was a steep learning curve regarding North American e-commerce logistics, especially handling returns and meeting customer service expectations.
Inventory Management Dilemma: The brand was unsure about managing inventory, storage, and orders across two essential platforms—Amazon and Walmart.
These challenges highlighted the need for a detailed and structured strategy to help the brand enter and grow in Canada.
Objective
The aim of this project was straightforward: to equip the client with a comprehensive solution for launching and scaling their beauty products in Canada via Amazon.ca and Walmart.ca. Implementing a Canadian-based Third-Party Logistics (3PL) fulfillment strategy would allow the brand to focus on marketing and growth while leaving logistics to an experienced partner.
Our Solution: Full-Service 3PL fulfillment.
To tackle the client's challenges, we devised a thorough cross-border expansion plan centered on two main areas: product and market readiness, and logistics and fulfillment.
1. Product Readiness
The first step in the expansion strategy was to ensure that the client's products aligned with Canadian market standards. Key actions included:
Compliance Guidance: We assisted the client with ensuring compliance with Canadian labeling regulations, emphasizing the need for bilingual (English and French) packaging. Familiarity with Health Canada regulations for beauty and cosmetics was a must.
By taking this foundational step, the brand was well-positioned to meet consumer expectations and regulatory standards from the outset.
2. Logistics & Fulfillment
We provided an end-to-end Canadian 3PL fulfillment solution, tailored to e-commerce expansion. Here’s how we helped:
🏢 Inventory Receiving & Storage
Received bulk shipments from Egypt to our Canadian fulfillment center
Conducted inspection and organized SKUs for efficient picking
Offered scalable storage options to handle product volume changes
📦 Order Fulfillment
Integrated with Amazon.ca and Walmart.ca to automatically receive orders in real time
Picked, packed, and shipped orders within 1 business day
Ensured packaging met Canadian standards and platform-specific requirements
Enabled branded packaging to enhance customer experience
🚚 Shipping & Carrier Management
Provided cost-effective domestic shipping across Canada
Supported 2-day and expedited delivery for Amazon Prime and Walmart+ expectations
Used trusted carriers (Canada Post, UPS, Purolator, etc.) for reliable coverage
🔁 Returns Processing
Handled customer returns from Amazon and Walmart channels
Inspected returned items and either restocked, repackaged, or disposed of per client instructions
Maintained return tracking and reporting for inventory reconciliation
📊 Reporting & Visibility
Delivered live inventory reports and fulfillment metrics via our dashboard
Provided insights into fast-moving SKUs and fulfillment performance
Allowed client to remotely manage supply planning from Egypt with confidence
This comprehensive logistics and fulfillment strategy set the stage for the brand's success, minimizing barriers during the critical entry phase.
Results and Outcomes
The results of implementing this strategy have been impressive, highlighting the effectiveness of a structured approach to international expansion. The brand's successful launch provided insightful experiences in the North American beauty market.
Increased Brand Visibility: The brand achieved immediate presence on Canadian platforms like Amazon and Walmart, exposing their products to a wide audience of potential customers.
Operational Efficiency: Streamlined logistics allowed the brand to concentrate on marketing and customer engagement, effectively building their presence in Canada.
Sales Growth: After launching, sales soared, exceeding initial projections by 40% in the first quarter within the Canadian market.
These results demonstrate the immense potential of international expansion with strategic planning and execution.
Key Takeaways for Expanding Brands
For companies looking to follow a similar path, several essential lessons can be taken from this case study:
Understand Local Regulations: Familiarity with local product compliance and taxation matters is crucial before entering a new market.
Conduct Thorough Market Research: Insights into consumer needs and competitor offerings greatly influence pricing and marketing strategies.
Choose Reliable Fulfillment Solutions: Partnering with a dependable 3PL can ease logistical burdens and boost operational efficiency.
Adapt to Market Feedback: Be ready to modify your approach based on real-time market insights and customer behavior.
Invest in Marketing Efforts: Focus on developing your brand story once logistical aspects are secured to connect with the local audience effectively.
Future Opportunities
Expanding an Egyptian beauty brand into North American markets via Amazon and Walmart Canada highlights the significance of a well-prepared strategy encompassing compliance, market diligence, and operational efficiency.
By overcoming substantial initial challenges with a detailed approach and a proficient logistics partner, the brand has made significant strides in a competitive landscape. As globalization continues to shape business opportunities, this case study serves as a road map for brands aspiring to broaden their reach and seize new opportunities.
In the coming months, as the client refines its offerings and responds to customer feedback, it will be primed for ongoing growth in North America—an exciting journey just beginning.
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