Parcel operator GLS Denmark has generated strong growth in the B2C sector with its ShopDeliveryservice enabling customers to pick up their internet orders directly at one of its 575 shops in the
country.Growing online trade and an increasingly mobile society require new delivery concepts, GLSexplained. Many customers cannot be reached at home as they work during the day or are travelling.With ShopDelivery, they can profit from customer-friendly opening hours without having to stand ina queue for a long time.
Karsten Klitmøller, Regional Manager GLS Denmark, said the service has been very successful onthe market with the number of parcels delivered to the parcel shops growing by about 240% duringthe financial year 2010/11. This positive result is in line with the growing e-commerce in Denmarkthat showed strong growth of 16% in 2010. “We have recorded the largest annual growth by far inthis segment since the introduction of the solution in 2007,” he said.
Customers can easily access the parcel shops through the nationwide network across Denmark, GLSsaid. According to the “shop-in-shop” principle, the service stations are integrated in storechains such as Blockbuster or Coop where customers can also ship their parcels. Internet shoppersthus choose the desired parcel shop that GLS should deliver to when making their online order. Assoon as the package has arrived, they get a notification via e-mail or SMS.
The web shop operators also profit from customers who appreciate the service, return less andcontinue ordering goods with them. “These points contribute to more than 400 providers alreadyusing the service with a growing tendency,” Klitmøller explained.
Although the main business of GLS Denmark still remains in the B2B sector, the B2C delivery isbecoming increasingly important for the company. GLS now delivers every fifth parcel to privatehouseholds. More and more providers sell not only to the retail market but also to consumers.
“Therefore, we continue investing in the development and expansion of solutions that satisfyboth shippers and end customers in terms of quality, service and convenience,” Klitmøllerconcluded.
