GLS to raise parcel prices 4.5% from April
European parcel and express company GLS has said it is increasing its prices for both domestic and international parcel shipping by an average of 4.5% from 1st April 2012. The price changes will not affect retail parcel shipping prices for smaller customers, either in parcel shops or when shipping is purchased online.
Amsterdam-based General Logistics Systems BV, which last year handled 363m packages covering 42 European countries, said the price increase was a response to the changing conditions of the transport market.
The company said a recovering economy in many parts of Europe in 2011 had prompted increased demand for parcel shipments requiring investment in staff and additional cargo capacity.
GLS said rising insurance premiums and increasing freight infrastructure costs were also “significantly” affecting costs, and that to maintain quality parcel services it therefore had to implement corresponding price increases for parcel postage.
“What makes GLS is the high quality of service. We will continually provide our customers this quality.”
GLS claims 220,000 customers in Europe for its parcel services, with 13,100 employees and 17,100 vehicles in use each day in a network of 38 central hubs and 642 depots.
The company achieved a EUR 1.75bn turnover in 2010/11.
