DHL eCommerce, the e-commerce logistics specialist of DHL Group, has reached 100,000 access points in Europe with its latest location established in Warsaw, Poland, the company has announced.
Access points or locker locations allow users to send, drop off or collect parcels. The network currently spans a total of 28 European countries along with its sister divisions DHL Express and Post, and Parcel Germany.
The growth of these lockers reflects the demand for parcel collection and drop-off points in urban areas as the number of active e-commerce shoppers continues to climb.
According to an Online Shopper Survey, commissioned by DHL and due to be released in September, 24% of European respondents said they want their parcels delivered to access points while 70% expect to be able to change the delivery option at the last minute
In other parts of the world the desire for access points is currently much smaller. In Asia-Pacific, it is 11%; in Sub-Saharan Africa, 8.5%; in North America, 7.5% and in the Middle East and North Africa, 6.5%. In addition, almost half of Europeans interviewed said their experience would be improved if more delivery options and parcel lockers and collection points were closer to their home.
At the same time, Poland has become an increasingly important e-commerce market with 55% of consumers preferring a delivery to a Locker or a Parcel Shop. It also has the second most dense access point offering in Europe, after Germany.
To help meet demand in the country DHL eCommerce previously formed a joint venture with Cainiao, the logistics arm of Alibaba, to develop the Poland’s largest out-of-home (OOH) network. Elsewhere, it recently signed agreement to acquire MNG Kargo in Turkey and has been cooperating with Poste Italiane in Italy to support further European expansion.
“The backbone of our services is our extensive network operated by us or through partnerships and our digital expertise and capabilities. With almost unlimited growth potential, we’re operating in one of the most exciting segments in the industry. But how we harness that potential will enable us to achieve our goals. Now is the time to invest and grow,” Pablo Ciano, CEO DHL eCommerce said.
