DPD and GLS announce a partnership to offer their respective customers one of the densest networks of drop-off and collection points in Germany by promptly putting a nationwide ‘Out of Home’ partner network (parcel shops and open network of lockers) into operation.
The ambition for each carrier is to provide access to about 20,000 out-of-home points in the next three years to shippers and consumers.
DPD and GLS are already active players in the out-of-home delivery market, each operating around 8,000 parcel drop-off and pick-up points. To answer the growing market demand, the two key players are now partnering. This allows customers to use the parcel shops of both services to send and receive parcels. They also have the option of receiving and sending their parcels via shared parcel stations. Online retailers and parcel shop operators will also benefit: they will be able to offer their customers an even greater choice of delivery options in the future.
DPD and GLS are now extending the opportunity for parcel shop operators to work with both companies. In addition, the two key players will create an open network of lockers across the country, starting with an investment equally supported by each partner to reach one thousand lockers by the end of 2025. The parcel stations will be offered as an open system to all market players and CEP services.
Overall, the companies are aiming to establish a partner network of around 20,000 out-of-home points by 2027.
DPD and GLS thus represent a customer-friendly alternative to closed system providers.
The joint development of the parcel locker network will naturally be based on close cooperation with retailers and third-party providers of parcel lockers who will continue to play an important role in the expansion of the service. It will also ensure that lockers will be within walking distance or a few minutes away from consumers, making it even easier to integrate sending and receiving parcels into their everyday lives - for example on the way to work, after sport or when shopping.
Dr Achim Dünnwald, CEO of GLS Germany, says:
"We consistently view the situation from our customers' perspective. We want to offer more services and greater flexibility when sending and receiving parcels outside their own four walls. Thanks to our cooperation with DPD, we can do this much better in one fell swoop: more contact points mean shorter distances for our parcel customers and more business for our parcel shop partners. This cooperation goes hand in hand with the aim of fundamentally accelerating the transformation of the 2C business of two strong partners."
Dr Karsten Schwarz, CEO of DPD Germany, explains:
"This network partnership is the fastest way to offer our customers the best service. According to our Geopost E-Shopper Barometer, more than a quarter of German e-shoppers already prefer delivery in a parcel shop - and the trend is rising. The parcel industry needs creative solutions to best fulfill their customers’ needs for convenience and sustainable future – and this partnership is exactly that.”
With this partnership, the two key players underline their commitment to the sustainable development of the parcel delivery market in Germany. The joint creation of a strong out-of-home network will strengthen their respective positions and support the development of each of their delivery services while their customers and partners will continue to benefit from the specific features of both parcel services.
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About DPD
DPD has 79 depots and around 8,000 Pickup parcel shops throughout Germany. More than 8,500 employees and 11,500 delivery staff are on duty for customers every day. Every year DPD transports over 350 million parcels in the German parcel market. With innovative technologies and a consistent focus on the needs of all customers and consignees, DPD offers a simple, convenient and flexible service for B2B and B2C parcel shipping. DPD Germany is part of Geopost, a European leader in parcel delivery and solutions for e-commerce, operating in more than 50 countries, and providing a 100,000 out-of-home contact points in Europe. Geopost generated a 15.7 billion euros revenue and delivered 2.1 billion parcels worldwide in 2023.
About GLS
GLS Group is one of the largest independent parcel service providers in Europe with a strong local presence in almost every country on the continent as well as subsidiaries in Canada and on the west coast of the USA. The company was founded in 1989 as "German Parcel" from which GLS Germany emerged as part of the international GLS Group. With over 30 years of working experience, GLS operates a proactive network management and connects markets flexibly and agilely. GLS is proud to offer customers a high-quality service in around 40 countries. In Germany alone, GLS' out-of-home network consists of over 8,000 parcel shops and parcel lockers. In the 2023/24 financial year, the GLS Group generated a record turnover of 5.6 billion euros. Around 905 million parcels were delivered in all markets.
