How DTC eCommerce brand, Linjer, saved more than HKD$78,000 in FX fees

Introducing Linjer

Back in 2014, the fashion landscape was dominated by either fast-fashion or luxury brands, leaving a gap in the market for affordable, high-quality options. Jennifer Chong and Roman Khan, who were then a couple and are now married, founded Linjer to address this issue. Their mission was to offer products that matched the quality of luxury brands but at a more accessible price point by selling directly to consumers online, eliminating the high markup typically associated with traditional retail. With just US$20,000 from their savings and crowdfunding, they launched a new brand. Within the first 14 months, Linjer achieved $1 million in sales, proving the demand for their innovative approach.

Jennifer Chong

CEO of Linjer

"I'm so thankful that Airwallex exists! It allows me to exchange currencies at great rates. The interface is modern and user-friendly compared to my bank."

Challenge: Significant costs and inconveniences with bank transfers, PayPal, and credit card purchases

Before using Airwallex, Linjer relied on bank transfers and PayPal to make international payments to their overseas suppliers. Both their bank and PayPal charged significant fees for FX conversions, and each international bank transfer costing HK$120.

Also, Linjer used credit cards for online business purchases. However, banks typically add a 3–4% markup on top of the prevailing exchange rate set by Visa or Mastercard. To eliminate these high fees, employees often used their personal credit cards to settle company expenses and were later reimbursed by the company. Jennifer mentioned that managing such tasks is "not how she wants to spend her time."

Solution & results: Airwallex international transfers and cards help Linjer save HK$78,000 FX fees

Airwallex enables Linjer to exchange currencies at interbank rates and to make international transfers at a fraction of the cost of traditional wire or PayPal transfers. Recipients are particularly satisfied because they don't incur any incoming wire fees. In contrast, when businesses use the SWIFT network for international transfers through banks, the recipient often faces additional fees.

Jennifer Chong

CEO of Linjer

"In just a few months, we've already saved more than HK$78,000 in unnecessary bank fees!"

Linjer also uses Airwallex's multi-currency Visa cards for online purchases in desired currency, with $0 transaction fees on international card payments. This not only saves costs but also empowers Jennifer's team to make purchases effortlessly, without the need for a lengthy process.