Harness the potential of DHL’s Out Of Home network in your e-commerce

Leverage the potential of DHL’s extensive Out Of Home (OOH) points network across Europe for your e-commerce. Ship internationally and enjoy flexible deliveries and returns at a time and place that suits you.

DHL's European Out Of Home network includes nearly 150,000 pick-up points and lockers, where we will deliver your shipment and collect your return. In our international Out Of Home offering, you will find:

Return shipments from 25 European countries

Deliver to points and vending machines in 21 countries – choose the drop-off method that suits you and your customers best (courier, point or vending machine).

We are lowering prices for international shipments delivered to a DHL point or locker.

Save on CROSS-BORDER deliveries! Send packages directly to a pickup point or locker up to 20% cheaper.

European e-commerce – this is the type of delivery customers prefer

Deliveries to pick-up points and parcel lockers are more popular here than in any other region of the world.

Although most consumers still choose home delivery, the number of those who prefer using lockers and pick-up points is steadily growing.

• 35% of European e-shoppers choose out-of-home delivery
• 18% of European online shoppers prefer to have their orders delivered to a locker
• 17% prefer a pick-up point

Returns – Discover the potential of the Out Of Home network

While the majority of orders are delivered by courier, customers prefer pickup points for returns as they offer greater flexibility and convenience:

• 21% of online shoppers choose to dispatch their package at a pickup point,
• 79% prefer a locker.

The following countries deserve special attention:

Pickup returns are preferred even in countries where online shoppers primarily opt for courier delivery.

Find out why it’s worthwhile to implement DHL Out Of Home points in your store and take advantage of the nearly 150,000 lockers and points available across 28 European countries.

Discover the profile of the international shopper

Purchase frequency:

3 out of 5  shoppers make purchases from sellers outside their own country.

Consumers are looking for greater choice, better prices, and unique products – and they search for them across borders. However, shopping with international sellers comes with high expectations. Trust, delivery, and returns all influence the decision to click “buy now.” For sellers, this is an opportunity to reach a wider audience and increase sales. The demand is there – now it’s about meeting it.

• 1 in 3 shoppers makes cross-border purchases at least once a month
• 44% of Gen Z shop abroad at least once a month
• 41% of social media shoppers buy abroad at least once a month

Product categories

The most frequently purchased items abroad are clothing, electronics, and beauty products. This is the perfect time to harness the potential of cross-border e-commerce and boost sales.

Marketplace

As many as 97% of shoppers worldwide use marketplace platforms. For international shipping, DHL partners with key e-commerce platforms, offering Out Of Home delivery and return options.

Out Of Home Points – A Sustainable Shipping Method

More and more online shoppers are paying attention to the environmental impact of online shopping:

Environmental awareness

57% of shoppers worldwide, and 48% of shoppers in Europe, take ecological aspects into account when choosing a delivery method.

46% of European e-shoppers state that sustainability in online shopping is important to them and means taking actions to reduce our impact on the natural environment.

7 in 10 shoppers say that sustainability is important to them when shopping online.

1 in 3 has abandoned a cart due to sustainability concerns.

Who abandoned their cart due to sustainability concerns?

• 49% Gen Z
• 39% Millennials
• 30% Gen X
• 20% Baby Boomers

For e-commerce companies, adopting more sustainable and circular practices is not only beneficial for the planet – it’s also a way to build trust and meet customer expectations.

DID YOU KNOW THAT:

79% of Europeans use the Out Of Home network for returns because they value flexibility and convenience.

The popularity of returns with a QR code is growing, preferred by

26% of shoppers and as many as 32% of GEN Z, who represent a digital-first approach.

Seize this moment and incorporate into your return policy a technology that is simple, fast, and intuitive to use.

OFFER CONVENIENCE AND SIMPLIFY THE RETURN PROCESS WITH LABEL-FREE SHIPPING

• with a QR code in Germany, Sweden, Spain, and Portugal
• with a barcode in Bulgaria and Belgium

DHL Locker in Germany – ask the recipient for their Postnummer
When sending to a DHL Locker, it is necessary to provide the so-called Postnummer – the individual DHL customer number. Ensure that the recipient provides this number and that you include it when selecting the delivery option. Detailed information and instructions can be found here. Registration and the Post & DHL app are required.

Selling via a marketplace? Remember to send notifications with the pickup code!
If you sell through marketplace platforms, remember to send notifications that include the pickup code. Customers collecting packages from DHL ServicePoint or DHL Locker require this code to retrieve their shipment. Contact your marketplace operator to ensure effective dispatch of pickup code notifications.