DHL and HDE Support Retailers in Starting Online Trade

The new partnership between DHL and the German Retail Association (HDE) builds on the existing initiative called ‘DHL local trade’. In the first phase of ‘DHL local trade’, DHL was able to help more than 500 customers reach their customer base despite the Corona lockdown. There is a significant backlog: around 250,000 smaller retailers in Germany are still not online.

(Bonn/Berlin) DHL and the German Retail Association (HDE) have agreed on a cooperation that aims to assist retail in Germany with digital transformation. The new partnership builds on the existing initiative called ‘DHL local trade’, an interactive guide that shows retailers in three simple steps and through customer-related questions how they can make their brick-and-mortar business digitally available and thus reach a broader customer base. Depending on the answers to the different questions, the platform recommends reach or technology partners that can help prepare retailers for e-commerce. Specialized, legal, and data protection consulting is also part of the offering.

Cooperation Takes a Step Further

The focus of the initiative ‘DHL local trade’, which started in April, was initially on local retailers who were encouraged to also connect with their existing customers online. The cooperation with the HDE takes this a step further. The offering now also aims to empower retailers to acquire new customers online through digital transformation. In the first phase of ‘DHL local trade’, DHL was able to help more than 500 customers reach their customer base despite the Corona lockdown, generating over two million orders that would not have existed without this initiative.

To expand the e-commerce initiative of the logistics provider, Ole Nordhoff, Head of Marketing and Sales Post & Package Germany, states: “According to our estimates, around 250,000 retailers are currently not online. 50 percent of retailers do not even have their own website. However, if Corona has shown anything, it is how important digital availability and easy ordering of goods online is for consumers and thus for retail. Together with the HDE and other partners from the e-commerce world, we want to ensure that German retail keeps pace with the ongoing digitalization.”

Transformation of Brick-and-Mortar Retail in Full Swing

Stephan Tromp, Deputy Managing Director of the HDE, emphasizes: “The transformation of brick-and-mortar retail is in full swing, and strong partners are therefore particularly important. The HDE is happy to support its members in this significant step towards online trade with DHL and other partners from the e-commerce sector.”

Another component of the cooperation with the HDE is DHL’s sponsorship of the ‘Initiative Future Trade’ award, specifically for the category ‘Rising Star’ (special prize: COVID-19). With this, DHL wants to express its support for retail and acknowledge the efforts of those affected. The winners will be announced on November 19, 2020, at the German Retail Congress 2020.
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