GLS details European parcel shop plans

Parcels operator General Logistics Systems (GLS) has announced a detailed plan to create aEuropean network of parcel shops for consumers and small businesses. The statement follows a

The parcel shops are designed to offer both private and commercial customers with sporadicshipments the possibility of sending consignments quickly, reliably and at attractive prices, GLSsaid. Under a shop-in-shop-system, the parcel drop points are integrated into news and tobaccoshops as well as shopping centres. “Going shopping and sending parcels at the same time – GLSparcel shops are a practical and time-saving alternative to public post office counters,” thecompany said in the statement. About 50,000 to 60,000 parcel drop points would have to be set up tocreate a full network in Europe.

GLS said it would double its network of 2,500 parcel shops in Germany to 5,000 by the beginningof 2007. In Austria, the group has set up almost 100 of the 500 planned parcel shops in less thanthree months. The first drop points have been opened in Hungary, Ireland and Portugal, while parcelshops will be available in Denmark, France and the Netherlands by the end of 2006.

Under a new B2C strategy, from next year onwards GLS will offer private customers in Germany theoption of using the parcel shops as an alternative delivery address following a successful pilotproject. “With this concept, we are meeting market needs. The demand in the B2C area iscontinuously increasing – all over Europe,” said GLS chief executive Rico Back.

GLS provides parcels and express transport through subsidiaries and partners in 34 Europeancountries. Its system consists of 29 central transhipment points, 667 depots and 14,500 people.Some 17,700 vehicles are on route moving 280 million parcels annually for 220,000 customersthroughout Europe. In the 2004/2005 financial year, GLS had revenues of 1.34 billion euros.