Hermes Germany expects its shipping volumes to rise 40% during the Christmas period compared tothe first half of this year.
In December, the logistics operator counts on moving around 37 million shipments across Germany.To ensure that all gifts reach their recipients on time, Hermes drivers will be en route on 24December all over the country. Last year, 600,000 shipments reached Hermes branches on ChristmasEve alone and were delivered to their recipients.
Hermes said the pre-Christmas period is the peak season for sending parcels. In December,customers ship 120% more parcels on peak days than during the other months. However, they stillneed to keep an eye on delivery times to ensure the timely arrival of their shipments. Shipments tobe sent within Germany can be handed at over 14,000 Hermes parcel shops until 12.00 on 22 December.However, shipments destined for the EU states served by Hermes and for Switzerland andLiechtenstein need to be sent on16 December.
Hartmut Ilek, managing director Hermes Germany, commented: “The outlook for this year’s holidayseason is promising. The economy is recovering and already last year we didn’t notice any signs ofconsumer reticence.”
The hectic holiday season offers many advantages for customers, Hermes explained. With thelargest nationwide network of parcel collection points Europe-wide, the parcel provider is aneasily accessible partner. At the parcel shops, shipments can be handed in or picked up in aconvenient way without having to wait in queue. Hermes also offers convenient opening timesespecially benefiting working people. Customers wanting even more comfort can get their shipmentsdelivered on the door step or picked up at the work place.
To ship smaller parcels designated as S-Class with Hermes, customers pay €4 while largerpresents in the L parcels reach their recipients within Germany for €8.90. A liability of up to€500 is included in the price of every parcel shipped with Hermes.
Meanwhile, at the beginning of this month, Hermes extended its geographical coverage bylaunching its ProfiParcel delivery service to Switzerland and Liechtenstein enabling online traderswith small and medium shipping volumes to expand their activities in the Alps. For delivery toSwitzerland, Hermes cooperates with Swiss Post while the Liechtenstein Post handles transportationto Liechtenstein.
