DHL has entered into a strategic agreement with Walgreens, the largest drugstore chain in the US,to offer express shipping services in a move to more than double its US retail network targeting
small- and medium-sized customers.Walgreens, which had sales of $53.8 billion in fiscal 2007, is projected to expand to morethan 6,500 locations by the end of 2008 with more than 1,600 stores open 24 hours a day.
DHL said that the new agreement is designed to readily service shippers sending and droppingoff their packages via DHL for overnight, ground or international delivery. The DHL Shipping Spotwill be staffed by Walgreens associates at Walgreens photo counters to weigh, label and shipcustomer packages to U.S. or international destinations, creating a simple and easy shippingexperience.
Walgreens customers will have access to DHL’s core express products and services. Shipperswill benefit from the convenience of a DHL location “down the street” and “around the corner” thatprovides access to a global shipping network serving over 225 countries and territories.
“DHL’s success partnering with a retailer to offer in-store shipping services has proven thatAmerican businesses and consumers want the convenience of shipping where they shop, and Walgreensis the perfect partner,” said Hans Hickler, CEO of DHL Express USA.
“Expanding DHL’s retail presence is an important next step in our U.S. retail strategy, aswell as our small to mid-size business growth plans. The combination of shipping within the cornerdrugstore environment on a national basis is unprecedented and allows both DHL and Walgreens toprovide even more convenience to customers in unparalleled ways,” continued Hickler.
DHL said that by the end of 2008, it will thus have more than doubled its retail presencewith retail shipping locations, including Walgreens and OfficeMax locations, as well as thousandsof independently owned and operated shipping centers that are part of the DHL Authorized ShippingCenter network.
