DHL has unveiled plans to more than double its network of automated parcel drop-off and collectionpoints for private customers in Germany and complete nationwide coverage by 2009.
The DPWN subsidiary said it will add another 1,500 machines to the existing 900 Packstationsby the end of 2009. As a result, 90% of Germans will then be able to access one of the 2,400Packstations within 10 minutes.
Customers can use Packstations to ship and collect parcels and packages 24 hours a day. Inaddition to the 13,500 retail outlets and 1,000 parcel mailboxes that will be available by 2008,the increased number of Packstations will give the parcel service of Deutsche Post World Net thedensest web of parcel collection and mailing points in the German market by far.
“Our customers’ positive response to the Packstation has markedly exceeded our expectations.Our decision to expand the service across Germany will make the use of the parcel mailing machinejust as simple as the use of the cash machine – any time and any place,” explained Uwe Brinks,Chairman of the Divisional Board of DHL Parcel Germany.
“This service offensive will strengthen our market position in the retail business and willensure that we remain first choice.”
The roughly 900 German Packstations are currently used by 700,000 registered customers, andthe trend is still pointing upward. The offer has been embraced with particular enthusiasm bysingles and working people as it allows them to dispatch and collect their parcels entirelyindependently of traditional home delivery and without having to pay heed to the opening times ofretail outlets.
Already today, most Packstations allow customers to dispatch their EU-wide shipments withoutprior registration as the necessary parcel and package stamps are also available at the Packstation– for one euro less than at the retail outlet. In addition, the Packstation accepts C.O.D. parcelsup to a value of 1,500 euros. Payment is uncomplicated, by EC or cash card.
