At a glance
- The Alexander & Co., a Canadian-made grooming brand founded by barber Patrice Alexander, relies on Canada Post to reach customers nationwide with consistent, reliable delivery.
- Shipping plays a central role in maintaining the brand’s premium standards and supporting its rapid ecommerce growth.
- With dependable service, cost savings and national reach, Canada Post helps the company deliver a high-quality Canadian product to every community across the country.
Why consistency matters in a national ecommerce business
Patrice Alexander stands a cut above the rest.
The Forum Barber Parlour, his landmark barbershop on Toronto’s Yonge Street, has not only become a destination for a discerning clientele, but has also extended its reach through The Alexander & Co., a premium line of plant-based grooming products.
But building this national presence has its challenges. Among them, Patrice demands a shipping solution that mirrors his brand’s commitment to excellence and its proud Canadian roots.
That’s why The Alexander & Co. depends on one name to keep Canada looking sharp.
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Subscribe for free“Canada Post is a vital partner in our mission to deliver a world-class, Canadian-made grooming experience. They help us connect with every customer, from urban centres to remote communities, ensuring our products reach every customer with the consistency and professionalism our brand represents.”
How The Alexander & Co. built a national grooming brand
At 12, Patrice grabbed his first pair of clippers. At 14, he got his first job in a barbershop. At 30, he had his own place.
Today, The Alexander & Co. stands out among a crowded market thanks to its quality, craftsmanship and commitment to customers. Attracting a high-profile clientele that includes NHL and NBA stars, Patrice has flown across North America as a personal barber to ensure customers looked their absolute best.
The idea for his own product line grew naturally from this unique position.
Patrice realized he couldn’t in good conscience, recommend off-the-shelf grooming products with unknown ingredients to his professional athlete clients, many of whom maintained strict plant-based diets. The pandemic, which halted travel and provided a rare window of time, became the catalyst. He partnered with a Toronto laboratory to develop a line of plant-based pomades, shampoos and conditioners.
“I wanted to create something that matched their lifestyle,” Patrice said. “Our products are made in Canada, sourced in Canada. I own the IP. That ‘Made in Canada’ stamp is incredibly important to me and my brand.”
The shipping challenges behind a growing ecommerce business
The Alexander & Co. team stays successful by staying ahead of customer needs – no matter if customers are on a monthly subscription package or just making one-off purchases.
“I want to make sure there’s no gap between a customer finishing our shampoo and the next one arriving,” Patrice said. “I don’t want to give them any room to go into a drugstore and make a bad decision.”
He continued, “We’re in the Information Age. We’re going up against competitors where you can order from them in the morning and get it in the afternoon. We can’t beat that. So, we need to be smarter by being closer to the customer.”
That kind of competition meant Patrice faced a new set of challenges: How to deliver his products across Canada quickly while maintaining the brand’s premium image and consistency. For that, he needed a partner that embodied reliability, professionalism and a proud Canadian identity.
That’s where Canada Post stepped in.
Why Canada Post became the brand’s trusted delivery partner
From the very first shipment, Canada Post proved to be the reliable partner The Alexander & Co. needed. In the early days, with every new order, he would simply walk across the street from his barbershop to the local Shoppers Drug Mart to ship with Canada Post. It was there that he built invaluable personal connections.
“I developed a really great relationship with the team there,” Patrice said. “They have been absolutely incredible, making it super easy to go through the process.”
As the brand flourished, Canada Post scaled with him. What began as personal drop-offs evolved into him becoming a Canada Post Solutions for Small BusinessTM member where he found programs, processes and, most importantly, discounts to support his business.
Those discounts, Patrice stressed, mean a lot for a brand that plays aggressive with shipping perks, offering free shipping on orders of $50 or more anywhere in North America.
“I’m allergic to MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price). I get hives when I pay MSRP. Just let me know I got a deal,” he laughed. “Canada Post makes it clear for me.”
Beyond the convenience and cost savings, Canada Post also aligns perfectly with The Alexander & Co.’s brand philosophy. Just as he ensures consistent, quality haircuts for his clients, he expects the same consistency in delivery.
“When that package arrives, I want it to say ‘Canada Post’ on it. That hits home that we’re ‘Made in Canada’ from start to finish,” Patrice said. “I want to be a model of consistency by being consistently Canadian. I don’t want any other company’s name on it.”
Growing into the future: How reliable shipping strengthens customer loyalty
As The Alexander & Co. continues to grow, evolving from a celebrated local barbershop into a nationally recognized grooming brand, Patrice’s vision has remained clear: deliver unparalleled quality and an authentic Canadian experience.
The forward momentum he has created is continuously supported by his trusted shipping partner.
“In this new world of ecommerce, Canada Post has been great, absolutely great,” Patrice said. “Their reliability and the easy experience they provide are essential. That consistency is key. It’s how we keep delivering our Canadian product right to every customer’s home, and ultimately, how we maintain our market share across the country.”
Key takeaways
- The Alexander & Co. expanded nationally with a consistent, Canadian-made product line.
- Shipping reliability directly impacts customer loyalty and subscription success.
- Canada Post’s national network and small business discounts support growth.
- Consistency in delivery reinforces the brand’s premium Canadian identity.
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