DPD expands Predict service into Belgium and Germany

Parcel delivery company DPD is expanding its Predict delivery notification service into Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg. The service introduced in the UK in 2010 and the Netherlands in April this year alerts package recipients by text message or email on the day the item is delivered, detailing when the item should arrive.

It also allows recipients to change the delivery date before the package arrives.

DPD says its service responds to the consumer demand for accuracy and control in their delivery, meaning not only that they can be sure to be at home to take delivery, but also makes it easier for drivers dropping off packages.

The company said introducing the service into more countries would also help DPD customers in the ecommerce sector to expand their businesses internationally.

Michaël van Ooijen, CEO of DPD Nederland and Head Cluster Benelux, said: “We see that Dutch webshops are increasing border crossing – in particular Belgium and Germany can be considered growth markets. By servicing consumers in other countries the same as we do in the Netherlands.”

“DPD wants to make it easier for consumers from other countries to order products at Dutch webshops. This objective DPD has fits perfectly with the aspiration the European Union has to stimulate cross-border e-commerce.”

DPD said it will be expanding the service further, so that it will be possible for recipients to change the delivery address or have an item delivered to a convenient DPD Pakketshop.

UK

In the UK, DPD offers its Predict service free of charge for all retailers and the service introduced in 2010 offers parcel recipients a one-hour delivery window.

The service uses GPS tracking technology to allow the precise delivery estimate, which the recipient can rearrange.

DPD UK says its Predict service has been responsible for improving retailers’ Right First Time delivery rates on average by 10% in the UK.

New research from DPD UK suggests that 26% of online shoppers prefer having timed delivery slots to free delivery.

The research, which estimated that 35m Brits leave items in their online checkout trolley unbought because of websites’ delivery options, found that 41% of shoppers believe web merchants should offer a greater range of delivery options.

Dwain McDonald, DPD’s CEO in the UK, said limited delivery options cost ecommerce merchants sales, and that abandoned online shopping carts have cost etailers millions.

 “Online shopping is the fastest growing retail sector and customers are no longer happy to accept a restricted set of delivery options, they want choice and flexibility in when and how they receive their purchases,” said McDonald.

“Retailers have to consider how best to provide customers with a set of delivery options which reflect their product offering and reassure the shopper that their goods will be delivered quickly and cost effectively. Delivery companies are working hard to innovate services in this area and options like DPD’s ‘Predict’ have given retailers a far better customer experience at the checkout and on the doorstep, as more parcels are delivered right first time.”