Faster, cheaper, simpler: Beauty brand transforms global finances with Airwallex
Learn how CurrentBody, the beauty eCommerce brand, slashed 3% off its FX bill and eliminated the complexities of managing multiple currencies by switching to Airwallex.
No more 3% conversion fees
Previously charged by traditional banks and now negated by Airwallex
5 banks replaced by one platform
The switch to Airwallex replaces 5 banks for supplier payments
50% less time spent
Executing global supplier payment runs
CurrentBody is a global leader in beauty technology, bringing the latest and most effective beauty products to customers across the globe.
Industry
eCommerce
Location
Global
Company size
150+ employees
Introducing CurrentBody
CurrentBody is a global leader in beauty technology, bringing the latest and most effective beauty products to customers across the globe.
Through its commitment to independent clinical testing and collaboration with doctors worldwide, CurrentBody has taken key aesthetic technologies used in clinics and pioneered these into safe, effective, home-use beauty devices.
The UK-based brand makes luxury beauty devices accessible to millions via its online stores, and has become a key voice and expert within this fast-growing beauty category.
CurrentBody’s revolutionary health and beauty devices have captivated audiences globally, gracing the screens of popular TV shows and adorning the pages of top-tier health and beauty publications.
The Challenge
To cater to its global customer base, CurrentBody developed localised websites featuring local currency pricing, and local and alternative payment methods.
This globalised approach to sales surfaced several challenges, including navigating various international regulations, managing cross-border logistics and maintaining consistent customer service across different time zones and cultures.
Processing international transactions was particularly challenging, as Ryan Hewitt, Head of Finance at CurrentBody, explains; “Before we found Airwallex, we relied heavily on traditional banking services for our international transactions. These were often slow, expensive and cumbersome.”
To tackle the cost, speed and inefficiencies of using high-street banks to collect funds from customers in multiple currencies, CurrentBody turned to Airwallex.
Ryan Hewitt
Head of Finance at CurrentBody
“Before we found Airwallex, we relied heavily on traditional banking services for our international transactions. These were often slow, expensive and cumbersome.”
The Solution
By switching to Airwallex, CurrentBody has transformed its global financial operations.
Importantly for an eCommerce brand, the move to Airwallex has led to extensive treasury management benefits that have helped further drive the brand internationally.
Airwallex Global Accounts deliver substantial cost savings
CurrentBody now uses Airwallex Global Accounts to manage its global funds. These multi-currency accounts make it easier and more cost-effective for the global e-retailer to receive payments from customers in their preferred currency. Airwallex Global Accounts also mean CurrentBody can hold funds and spend proceeds later in the same currency, without forced conversions and the fees this incurs.
Ryan reflects on the impact that this has had on the company’s operations, remarking; “By providing a seamless and efficient platform for handling international payments, Airwallex has enabled us to manage multiple currencies effortlessly and reduce the complexities associated with cross-border transactions.”
CurrentBody also uses Airwallex Global Accounts to streamline collections from payment providers like Stripe and Afterpay, further optimising its global cash management operations.
By transitioning away from traditional banks, Ryan and his team have achieved substantial savings in conversion fees, boosting the company’s bottom-line.
Streamlining collections using Airwallex payment links
Through Airwallex, CurrentBody creates shareable payment links in minutes, using these to accept payments from wholesalers.
Ryan’s team leverages these payment links to facilitate fast and secure international payments while saving on unnecessary fees.
The impact on CurrentBody of switching to Airwallex Global Accounts has been massive. “Faster payment processing has improved our relationships with suppliers and partners”, explains Ryan. “This has contributed to smoother operations and better cash flow management.”
Eliminating complexities with Airwallex foreign exchange (FX) and transfer services
CurrentBody also takes advantage of Airwallex’s fast and cost-effective international money transfer services which feature market-leading FX rates.
Ryan and his team can now pay CurrentBody’s global suppliers quickly and easily, without the high-costs and hassle of the traditional banking system.
“Airwallex has been instrumental in supporting CurrentBody’s global operations,” concludes Ryan. “As a result of working together, we’ve achieved far-reaching benefits that will help our brand continue to succeed in a competitive and global market.”
Ryan Hewitt
Head of Finance at CurrentBody
“Airwallex has been instrumental in supporting CurrentBody’s global operations. Now we can manage multiple currencies effortlessly, making cross-border transactions far less complex.”
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See how our customers are finding Airwallex
"Airwallex have been a fantastic partner for Olsam Group as we grow our eCommerce brands to new channels and new markets. Their easy to use interface and integrations have been a joy for our finance team to use as we scale."
Sam Horbye
Co-Founder, Olsam
"For ME + EM, expanding into international markets such as the US has been our focus - and with Airwallex, we were able to use their local USD Global Account to collect from our Paypal US account, thereby allowing us to save 3% on each transaction. The process of working with Airwallex has been seamless - our suppliers get paid quickly, we have a dedicated Relationship Manager who has been really patient, helpful and quick to respond. I am keen to use their cards to pay for our ad spend in the near future to save further on our USD invoices."
Meera
Finance Manager, ME + EM
"We've had such a fantastic experience switching to Airwallex. Previously we were using a traditional bank to make all of our international transactions and they'd constantly lock us out of the account everytime we made a transfer, resulting in hours and hours of lost time on hold. Airwallex is secure, makes it super quick and simple to make and receive international payments."
Rupert
Managing Director, Perspective Pictures
“We used to pay Stripe between $5,000 and $10,000 a month in conversion fees because most of our customers pay in dollars. Now we funnel that money into our Airwallex US dollar account, we don’t have to pay commission. We’ve saved more than $100,000 so far this year”
Thomas Adams
Founder and CEO, Brandbassador
"We love Airwallex! It has considerably eased our invoicing and payments to contractors around the world. Sending and receiving money is much faster and cheaper than before."
Edle Tenden
Co-Founder, Mobile Transaction
“We are so glad that we have found Airwallex! There are no hidden charges, they are quick to respond to any queries and we had the smoothest transaction with amazing support from the team continually.”
Andreia Beja
Supply Chain Executive, Miss Patisserie
"Our water solutions company, Dropterra (go.dropterra.com) has partnered with Airwallex since inception and it has been the best banking and payment partner a company can think of. International transactions are easy, secure, and fast, the technology is incredible and their client service fantastic! We look forward to growing and deepening our relationship with Airwallex!"
Francois Schramek
Co-Founder, Dropterra