2021 was indeed a tumultuous year. Most of the world was in lockdown for almost half the year while facing the highest freight rates in addition to the tightest space crunch in history. Despite the turmoil brought on as the aftermath of the pandemic’s first 2 waves, CSS Group ended the year on a triumphant note. We achieved some significant milestones that I wish to remind you about. One of which was the Art Logistics service coming into full force, offering logistical support to the burgeoning demand for fine art movements across the region and beyond. And then the following were other achievements that 2021 brought with it.
Strategy Meet at Georgia
At our Annual Strategy Meet that took place in the gorgeous country of Georgia this time around, once again we raised the bar for ourselves with respect to our strategy for the coming year. To start with, we launched two new concepts at the meeting. The first being, the new vertical called eLogix that will provide e-commerce fulfillment services. The second exciting launch is the CSS Mascots, who will be the face of our company. You will make a close acquaintance with Charles the Truck, Wilbur the Plane, Ferdie the Ship, and Pack Packs on the pages of this magazine.
ELogix for E-Fulfilment
The growth-spurt in e-commerce activities that we saw, was no surprise with people conducting most of their shopping from the comfort of their homes rather than stepping out in the past 2 years. The UAE retail e-commerce market itself reached $3.9bn in 2020, a 53 year-on-year increase. In 2022, the forecasted value of e-commerce sales in the UAE is pegged at around $27 billion. In addition to this, with high social media penetration in the GCC region, the e-commerce market has certainly witnessed an extremely rapid growth. And with this growth, and the growing need for e-commerce fulfillment services, coupled with our expertise and experience in deliveries, we agreed this was the perfect footing to launch eLogix – our new vertical that will enable us to provide fulfillment services to our clients.
Going the Distance, Together
Remembering a particular African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” I would like to pay particular respects to our customers, partners and bankers for their continued trust and support, for it is because of them that we are able to envision what our bountiful future would look like. Without the support from our vendors, there is neither any way that we would enjoy our current success nor be able to plan for our future. Surely the same goes for the clients who have become family and whose trust we value so greatly. It is these relationships that we have always held so dear and who have helped us succeed, truly.
What Money Can’t Buy
While money can buy you most things, one of the key elements that money cannot buy is Experience, which is most vital when it comes to sustaining oneself when up against ‘The Impossible’. We have surely seen some of the toughest times in the last 2 years, but it is at times like these that the ones with formidable experience are the ones who clearly and calmly would show us a way out, for us to come winning at the other end. And I am proud to say that we have some of the best amongst the CSS family who repeatedly serve as guiding lights at any unforeseen situation, by way of providing solutions or improvisational skills that would only come with the experience they have garnered.
And with that, I would like to thank every member of the CSS family for their dedication and hard work over last year. It is your efforts that helped us surmount the challenges in 2021. Let us continue to work together towards the common goal of taking CSS to greater heights.
We are wishing you all a very Happy New Year!