How April & Alex Reduced International Shipping Costs by Nearly 40% with The Folklore

For independent fashion brands, international growth often brings one major challenge—high shipping costs.

London-based womenswear and footwear label April & Alex turned that challenge into a competitive advantage by using The Folklore’s discounted international shipping services to ship globally at a fraction of standard rates.

About April & Alex

Founded by BBC Award-winning Journalist and Creative Director Didi Akinyelure, April & Alex is a London-based womenswear and footwear brand redefining modern luxury.

Their collections feature fashion-forward statement pieces that empower women to feel bold and confident.

• Apparel collections are made locally using certified reclaimed Italian fabrics, emphasizing sustainability and craft.

• Footwear is handcrafted in Italy by expert artisans, featuring the brand’s signature braided heel, known for both beauty and stability.

A member of the British Fashion Council, April & Alex has shown on the London Fashion Week platform and at Dubai Fashion Week, and has been featured in Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, and more.

The Challenge: Expanding Globally While Managing Costs

When April & Alex prepared a large shipment of apparel for customers in the United States, they faced the same problem many emerging brands encounter—international shipping costs that can quickly cut into margins.

Traditional carriers offered limited flexibility and expensive rates for global shipments, making it difficult for the brand to fulfill cross-border orders without losing profit.

The Solution: Discounted International Shipping with The Folklore

By using The Folklore’s discounted shipping services, April & Alex reduced international fulfillment costs by nearly 40% on a single shipment—while maintaining delivery speed and reliability.

The savings on that one order alone generated a 2.7× return on investment for their monthly plan.

For a brand committed to ethical production and sustainable operations, this efficiency allowed more resources to be redirected toward design, marketing, and customer engagement rather than logistics overhead.

The Results

• ~40% reduction in international shipping costs

• 2.7× ROI realized from one international order

• Improved operational efficiency for global fulfillment

• Expanded access to U.S. customers without increasing pricing

April & Alex’s experience demonstrates how independent brands can make global expansion financially sustainable through The Folklore’s ecosystem of tools and partnerships.

How The Folklore Helps Independent Brands Ship Smarter

The Folklore provides a suite of business tools designed to help brands scale globally—from logistics to marketplace visibility.

• Discounted International Shipping: Exclusive carrier partnerships offering savings of up to 40% compared to standard retail rates.

• Multi-Marketplace Selling: Reach new customers across major retailers and marketplaces in a single step.

• AI-Powered Product Tools: Generate optimized images and SEO-ready descriptions proven to boost conversions by 25–40%.

By combining these tools, The Folklore enables independent brands to streamline operations, lower costs, and grow their revenue across borders—all while keeping full creative and operational control.

Start Shipping Smarter Today

April & Alex’s story is proof that small changes in your logistics strategy can deliver significant returns.

Join a global network of brands saving time and money with The Folklore’s discounted international shipping.

Start shipping smarter, save more, and scale globally at thefolklore.com.

To learn how The Folklore can support your brand, sign up for a free trial today or book a demo call.