DHL launches DHL Parcel in Belgium

DHL has launched DHL Parcel in Belgium. With this service, the parcel company wants to mature its B2C network in Belgium. The goal is to have a network of about 1,600 pick up points in stores all over the country and to compete with Bpost, Belgiums biggest parcel company.

DHL is working hard to achieve its goals, as the 1,600 DHL Parcelshops should be up and running at the end of this year. If this goal is met, it would surpass the amount of postal offices and locations (1,343) current market leader Bpost has and even double the number of UPS-owned Kiala’s pick up points in Belgium. In Belgium, DHL is already active with DHL Express and thus with delivering parcels at home. But as Express focuses on courier services for companies, DHL Parcel has its focus on business-to-consumer ecommerce.

Jan Van Roey, general manager at DHL Parcel Belgium & Luxembourg, admits DHL is very late with embracing ecommerce in Belgium. “This explains why we’re trying to carry out an overtaking maneuver. Luckily for us we have years of experience in Germany, so we could use that to succeed here.”

Flexible delivery options
DHL wants to compete with market leader Bpost. It will not only try to do this by opening more pick up points, DHL also tries to attract online retailers and customers by offering them flexibility. Parcel deliveries should be possible until 9PM during the week and until 2PM on Saturdays. “In terms of volume we have to acknowledge Bpost’s superiority, but we do want to become the number two on this subject.”