GLS is expanding its B2C activities in France through a strategic alliance with major B2C deliverycompany Mondial Relay.
From October, private customers will be able to collect their GLS parcels from Mondial Relay’s nationwide network of 4,300 collection points (‘Points Relais’).
GLS said that it can significantly expand its offering through the new partnership sinceparcels that could not be delivered at the first attempt can be conveniently collected from acollection point instead. These are generally shop-in-shop solutions in small retail stores.
Until now, parcels where the first delivery attempt failed were either delivered toneighbours or taken back to the depot. In future, the GLS driver can hand in the parcel at a nearbyPoint Relais, and the recipient has 14 days to pick up the parcel. A parcel collection point is atmost 12 minutes away from 100 per cent of all French recipients, according to the company.
Emeric Bastid, managing director of GLS France, commented: “France is experiencing a strongupturn in e-commerce. Delivery to private customers is becoming more important for our shippers,and thus for us as well.”
Antoine Pottiez, managing director of Mondial Relay, added: “With this partnership MondialRelay is again demonstrating that we can offer a parcel delivery service adjusted to the needs ofmodern lifestyle. With their closeness to customers and flexible opening times, our Points Relaisoffer a reliable and sustainable solution for a partner like GLS.”
In addition, GLS is also offering new options for parcels that are taken back to the depot.Consumers can go online under www.uni-track.fr and select one of the alternative options such asdelivery to a secure place, an alternative address or on a different day.
GLS pointed out that it now has a parcel shop network in more and more European countries,with Poland and Hungary as the latest additions. “Thanks to our partnership with Mondial Relay weare not only strengthening our B2C business but also driving ahead with the expansion of theEurope-wide GLS parcel network and so we can offer the largest integrated European network,” Bastidstressed.
Based in Toulouse, GLS France serves some 5,300 business clients and has a network of nineregional hubs and 85 depots, along with a fleet of some 2,500 vehicles.
Mondial Relay, with 480 staff and 1,000 transport partners, is a subsidiary of OttoGroup-owned mail-order and e-retailer firm 3 Suisses and a sister company to Germany-based B2Cspecialist Hermes. It delivers some 42 million parcels a year to homes and Points Relais in France,Spain, Belgium and Luxemburg.
