How Candy Funhouse Found the Sweet Spot for Global E-Commerce Growth

Christian Calzadilla

Marketing & Communications Specialist, DHL Express Americas

December 14, 2025 5 min read

How Candy Funhouse Found the Sweet Spot for Global E-Commerce Growth

We love seeing our customers find that sweet spot where growth really takes off. Candy Funhouse, a Canada-based online candy retailer, is a standout example. Their story shows how pairing a strong e-commerce strategy with thoughtful international shipping can unlock global expansion for an ecommerce brand. What started as a family-run brick-and-mortar shop serving Canadian customers has grown into a global digital brand with thousands of products, millions of fans, and a rapidly expanding international footprint. The turning point came when the team shifted from domestic-only fulfillment to seamless international shipping with a trusted logistics partner.

The Challenge: Going Global with a Local Shipping Strategy

Candy Funhouse first built momentum through its storefront and a simple domestic shipping setup. As word spread, global demand grew quickly: candy is universal, and international customers wanted nostalgic and hard-to-find treats.

The problem? A mix of inconsistent, patchwork shipping methods made it hard for the small business to scale international orders with confidence.

“Trying to patch together a network of different shipping solutions leaves gaps and slows the process,” said CSCO Mo Hejazi. “In the past, we used a combination of cross-border shipping and local mail delivery, and the result was delayed packages and poor customer experiences, an overall nightmare. In fact, we were seeing more than a 25% rate of delayed international orders before making the switch.”

The Turning Point: Going All-In on E-Commerce and DHL Express

In 2018, co-founders Jamal and Mo Hejazi made a strategic decision: pivot the business fully online and address cross-border fulfillment head-on. They partnered with DHL Express to ensure customers ordering from outside Canada received the same fast, reliable experience as local shoppers.

“In e-commerce, especially with impulse items like candy, fast delivery is crucial to ensure our customers get the true Candy Funhouse experience,” said CMO Dave Theodoropoulos. “Partnering with DHL gave us the reach, reliability, and speed we needed to truly go global.”

The Results: Explosive Global Growth with No Compromises

With DHL Express as their logistics partner, Candy Funhouse now delivers orders internationally in as little as 1–2 days. DHL’s Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) service and Customs clearance support have made global orders simple and intuitive. “Since moving to DHL, on-time international delivery rates have jumped to 98.7%,” said Dave Theodoropoulos.

Customers also benefit from DHL’s On Demand Delivery tool, which lets them choose delivery times, dates, and locations that fit their schedules, improving flexibility and satisfaction. The impact shows up clearly in the numbers: Candy Funhouse has seen a 166% year-over-year increase in international sales to the U.S. It’s now expanding into markets beyond North America.

“Reliable express delivery ensures that each candy experience is complete and joy-packed,” said Mo Hejazi. “With DHL… we’re delivering smiles across borders.”

The Takeaway: Your Global Potential Starts with the Right Partner.

Candy Funhouse’s journey underscores a powerful truth: e-commerce success at scale depends on international shipping you can trust. With the right logistics partner, they were able to ship faster, think bigger, and keep the delivery experience front and center.

“With DHL’s support, we’ve built a roadmap to expand internationally in phases while protecting customer experience,” said Mo Hejazi. “Their team acts like an extension of our own, problem-solving, advising, and helping us save time and money at every step.”

Candy Funhouse found the sweet spot by combining digital innovation with a global logistics partner that delivers. If you're ready to scale your brand across borders, DHL Express is there to help you do it quickly and reliably, ready to grow alongside you.