Where an extensive reach meets a dense service network, DHL and Vinted are working in tandem to strengthen out-of-home services and ease parcel shipping between private individuals across Germany.
Germany has become one of Europe’s most active markets for trade between private individuals, according to DHL’s latest E-Commerce Trends Report. Spanning clothing, electronics, and household goods, approximately 67 percent of online shoppers in the country have already participated in the selling of items via an online marketplace.
One of the most rapidly expanding online marketplaces within the continent is Vinted – a leading platform for second-hand items headquartered in Lithuania. Together, as part of a strategic partnership, DHL and Vinted are working to drive the continued growth of the second-hand market in Germany.
Through the combination of DHL’s nationwide presence and Vinted’s broad reach, the two companies are expanding and simplifying the shipping and collection of parcels, with a specific focus on locker-to-locker shipping options.
“Reselling used goods online has evolved from a niche activity to an everyday phenomenon within just a few years. As a result, expectations regarding shipping are rising. People buying and selling privately want shipping to involve as little effort as possible. It should be just as easy as purchasing from an online store. Many people want to send or collect parcels independently of opening hours. This is exactly why automated solutions such as Packstations are becoming increasingly important. That is also why we will continue to invest heavily in expanding our automated network in the years ahead. Vinted is one of the companies driving Europe’s booming second-hand market. We are delighted to continue Vinted’s success story in Germany together,” states Benjamin Rasch, Head of Sales and Products, Post & Parcel Germany, DHL Group.
Through DHL’s Packstations, Vinted’s buyers and sellers are able to drop off and collect parcels as and when it best suits them. Additionally, no prior registration is required to ship or collect via Packstations. A collection code is sent by DHL and will, in the near future, be directly available through Vinted.
Already operating around 41,000 parcel drop-off and collection points nationwide, DHL’s expanded network of Packstations, Poststations, and DeinFach lockers is anticipated to grow from 18,500 to over 30,000 by 2030 to accommodate the fast-growing market.
Also highlighted in the E-Commerce Trends Report is how widely shipping services are already in use in the peer-to-peer market. According to research, approximately 70 percent of respondents use parcel shops or automated lockers to ship online items, whilst the remaining 30 percent hand goods over in person.
Dovilė Riškutė, Senior Director of Business Development and Operations, Vinted Go, notes that, “Tons of people in Germany use Vinted to give products a second life. This requires shipping solutions that fit seamlessly into everyday life. Thanks to DHL’s nationwide network and, in particular, its 24/7 accessible Packstations, our members can send and receive parcels with maximum flexibility. This provides a strong base for further expanding our offering in Germany, and deliver against our ambitious growth aspiration.”
For Vinted, keeping products in use for longer is a core element of its business model, whilst DHL is actively investing in the sustainability of its logistics network. Therefore, this strategic partnership combines reselling used goods with low-emission parcel delivery.
