DHL Express has launched B2C parcel deliveries in Britain under the DHL@Home brand to try to profitfrom the booming e-commerce shipping market. Early morning and early evening deliveries are
available.DHL@Home offers a standard, 48-hour delivery service for online purchases and other B2Cshipments to mainland UK residential addresses with a 31.5kg weight restriction. A premium, 24-hourdelivery option for urgent deliveries is also available.
The home delivery service uses locally-based, self-employed couriers who work flexible hoursto suit customers’ needs, DHL said. They make deliveries using their own cars and can deliver awhole range of goods from electrical items through to clothing. The number of couriers was notdisclosed.
Packages can be delivered any time between 0730 and 2100, Monday-Friday, which will reducethe number of delivery attempts, DHL said. If a recipient is not at home on the first round,DHL@Home couriers leave a calling card with their personal mobile number so that customers can fixan individual delivery time. During initial trials of the DHL@Home service, the delivery successrate after three attempts ran at more than 99.95%.
DHL stressed that each courier undergoes a rigorous recruitment process to ensure securityand quality levels. Couriers are equipped with handheld PDAs that record the exact time ofdelivery, and real-time online parcel tracking is available.
Tim Brown, Sales and Marketing Director of DHL Express UK said: “Wasting time waiting aroundfor inefficient delivery services can ruin the shopping experience and negate any benefits toconsumers who may have tried to save valuable time by shopping online. With our flexible deliverytimes and network of expert, local couriers, DHL@Home is designed to make life easier and take thestress out of home deliveries.”
Consumers can also arrange to collect their parcels from a different UK business address,have them held for pick-up at a DHL Service Center, and drop off parcels at a Service Center.
Other services within the DHL@Home range include DHL@Home Authorised Returns, where consumerscan request collection of unwanted goods; and DHL@Home Catalogue, designed for businesses whodistribute catalogues to either residential or business addresses.
