GLS Germany launches “advanced” returns solution for e-commerce

GLS Germany has launched a new “advanced” returns solution for e-commerce purchases. The company said returns were now a common part of the distance-selling business, and being able to handle them easily was now an important factor in customer loyalty.

Offering different options to return items will prove advantageous to shippers, the company said.

Different options on the new GLS Germany service include having the shipper place returns labels within packages being sent out; having GLS generate a label on behalf of the shipper, providing it via a download link or PDF file; or, the recipient could be given a link to the GLS website to produce a returns label with a few clicks.

The company added that the GLS website option could be personalized with company logos and names for the original seller.

GLS Germany will provide drop-off points for returns in the form of its network of 5,000 parcel shops around the country. The firm said shippers would only be charged for returns when a package is actually returned.

Christian Herrlich, managing director of GLS IT, said: “Providing several different options makes the returns process equally convenient for both shippers and consumers returning items.”

GLS Germany is part of the Amsterdam-based GLS network, Royal Mail’s European-based parcels business.

GLS covers 37 European countries through 39 central hubs, 662 depots, 14,000 employees and 18,000 vehicles.

The company transported 436m packages in 2014-15, generating a revenue of EUR 2.1bn.