GLS is expanding its parcel terminal network in Eastern Europe with the latest rollouts in Hungary, Slovakia and Romania after pioneering its first lockers in Slovenia in October 2014, with GLS now preparing the introduction of the terminals in Czech Republic as well.
The latest expansion in Hungary, Slovakia and Romania brings the company’s parcel locker network to 70 terminals that have already been installed in Eastern Europe while more terminals are planned.
In terms of the parcel lockers providers, GLS told CEP-Research that it cooperates with different suppliers but declined to name them.
GLS explained that its customers in Eastern Europe are experiencing particularly strong growth in online sales and deliveries to private households are increasingly rapidly in the region. GLS Hungary, for example, recorded nearly 40% growth in 2015.
“Recipients who are not at home during the day or who want confidential delivery can collect their parcels any time of the day and night at a GLS parcel locker. This solution corresponds to a modern lifestyle,” said Gergely Farkas, Managing Director GLS Europe East.
To use the service, the recipient opens the locker with the delivered parcel by means of an access code previously received via SMS, e-mail or a notification card. Parcels that are paid via “cash-on-delivery” can also be collected and paid for at the terminal using a cash or credit card. In addition, the solidly built terminals, equipped with a security and surveillance system, also make it possible to ship parcels.
The delivery to a parcel locker represents a new, additional option as part of the FlexDelivery service that GLS offers in Eastern Europe as well. Other options include re-directing the parcel to a parcel shop or specifying the delivery day with a delivery time slot. The lockers can also be used as an alternative delivery address when the recipient is not at home in case there is a GLS parcel terminal in close proximity and the recipient has agreed in advance to this alternative.
