Alibaba’s logistics arm joins DHL in Poland

The logistics arm of Alibaba, Cainiao, is joining parcel carrier DHL in Poland. Both companies will invest 60 million euros in a parcel locker network. Through the partnership, Cainiao aims to grow its presence in Europe.

Alibaba has been expanding in Europe in the past few years. Alibaba-owned marketplace Lazada entered Europe only last year.

60 million euros towards parcel locker network

Parcel carrier DHL has acquired shares in Cainiao. The companies will merge their existing parcel lockers in Poland. Both parties currently own 1,200 lockers in the country.

Moreover, 60 million euros will be invested in building more parcel lockers across the country. Ultimately, DHL and Cainiao aim to become the largest out-of-home (OOH) delivery network in the Polish market.

DHL: 40 percent of consumers prefer locker delivery

Poland has around 18,000 parcel machines in total, mostly owned by competitor InPost. According to DHL, 40 percent of Polish consumers prefer delivery to a Automated Parcel Machine (APM).

“Polish ecommerce is expected to double by 2027.”

Pablo Ciano, DHL eCommerce Solutions’ CEO: “The Polish e-commerce market is growing faster than almost any other market in Europe and is expected to double by 2027. (…) As part of the cooperation with Cainiao, we are strengthening our position as a reliable parcel service provider and creating an extensive network of state-of-the-art parcel lockers.”

Alibaba’s European expansion

Alibaba has been expanding its presence in Europe in the last few years. Its logistics arm Cainiao has recently opened a central hub in Belgium. The company also owns sorting centers and parcel lockers in Spain and France.