Contract win for PostNL Parcels with fast-growing fashion e-retailer

PostNL Parcels has won a contract to handle both deliveries and returns in the Netherlands for German footwear retailer Zalando. The new contract will take effect from the second quarter of 2012 as part of efforts by PostNL Parcels to claim more of the fashion segment of the Dutch online retail market.

The company said the Dutch made 14.8m fashion purchases via the Internet last year, with around a quarter of all these purchases then returned by unsatisfied consumers.

Zalando, which was founded in 2008 and entered the Dutch market in 2010, offers its customers free shipment and returns as an “integral” part of its business model.

PostNL Parcels will be offering consumers home delivery or the alternative of picking up their purchases in a post office through the PostNL Pakjegemak service.

Gerrit Mastenbroek, the managing director at PostNL Parcels, said: “We believe we can add to the customer experience of Zalando shoppers by offering unrivalled service levels and the added value of PostNL Pakjegemak.”

The retailer has headquarters in Berlin, and now operates in seven European countries, with the Netherlands its second biggest market after its home territory of Germany.

Europe-wide, the company has seen annual sales growth of more than 250% over the past few years, generating EUR 200m sales in the first half of 2011 though operating at a loss owing to its geographical expansion efforts.

Last year the company launched its own logistics centre, and opened its first warehouse, while a second warehouse is due to open in Erfurt, Germany, this year.

Mybrands-Zalando manager David Schroeder said opting for delivery services from PostNL Parcels would open an opportunity to extend business in the Netherlands and attain a higher awareness among consumers.

“We are very happy to have found a reliable distribution partner who meets our stringent requirements with regards to quality and delivery time to satisfy our customer – not only for today, but also for coming activities,” said Schroeder.