GLS, the second largest parcel operator in Denmark, has opened 200 new parcels shops within oneyear, especially in rural areas, bringing the total number of locations to 750.
More and more consumers are using parcel shops not only to hand over their parcels but alsoto get internet orders delivered to places where they can pick them up later themselves, GLSDenmark said.
The company stressed that online shopping which requires simple delivery solutions continuesto grow. Customers ordering products via internet are often not at home at the time of delivery.Therefore, GLS brings online orders directly to one of its 750 parcel shops with the customerchoosing the desired location.
“This option is called ShopDelivery-Service and consumers are making use of it,” KarstenKlitmøller, General Manager, GLS Denmark, said. “The number of parcels with goods ordered onlineand delivered to a GLS parcel shop has increased by 230 per cent, already for the second year in arow.”
Especially in rural areas, GLS Denmark has promoted the opening of new parcel shops asinternet shopping is very popular outside of city centres. “With 200 additional GLS parcel shops,the service points are considerably easier to reach for the consumers,” Klitmøller said.
The parcels shops are integrated in stores, according to the shop-in-shop principle, forexample in shopping chains, gas stations and markets at railway stations. “For the shop owners, itis extremely attractive to offer their customers a useful extra service with the parcel handling,”he added.
Better access to parcel services for the consumers is also beneficial for online retailers. “The faster and less complicated online shoppers receive their orders, the more satisfied are theywith the provider,” Klitmøller stressed.
In addition, the ShopDelivery-Service provides an additional advantage: once the delivery tothe parcel shop is booked, the recipients can pick up their parcels whenever is best for them.Orders thus reach them safely and reliably. Another advantage for web shops is that the return rateis being reduced.
