DHL competes with Swiss Post in Switzerland

Swiss Post will get some serious competition in the booming parcel delivery market in Switzerland. DHL, the subsidiary of Deutsch Post, will build a network of 1,000 pick-up points in the Central-European country. The goal is to become the number two in Switzerland, just after Swiss Post.

So far, DHL has focused primarily on deliveries from abroad and to Swiss business customers, but starting this month, the Germany company wants to ship domestic parcels to private households in Switzerland. For this, it has founded the company DHL Parcel Switzerland. Günter Birnstingl, who already manages the Austrian business of DHL, also becomes head of the Swiss unit.

Partnering with supermarket chain Spar

In addition to delivering parcels to consumers’ houses, the new company will also set up a network of over 1,000 pick-up points across the country. These include gas stations, pharmacies and bakeries, but the most important partner is supermarket chain Spar.

Compete with Swiss Post on price

DHL also wants to compete with local market leader Swiss Post in terms of price. “We will offer customers a cost advantage over the competition with comparable performance” Birnstingl told the SonntagsZeitung. For example, DHL will offer delivery on Saturdays until 8 PM at no extra charge, while Swiss Post charges mail order companies extra for this service.