More convenience thanks to nearby drop-off points

A dense network of parcel shops offers convenience to people who either send or expect a parcel. Our aim for 2022 is that every person in the Netherlands has access to a parcel shop within ten minutes from their home address. Since the number of shops is declining rapidly, that is quite a challenge in this day and age. DPD wants to solve that problem by creating neighbourhood drop-off points.

Neighbourhood drop-off points are ‘parcel shops’ run by private individuals: your neighbour who is not only willing to accept your parcels, but those of the entire neighbourhood. Moreover, he/she is the person where you can drop off your parcel for shipment. Most neighbourhood drop-off points are open between 4 and 8 PM, making it easier for consumers to pick up their parcel in the evening, after work. 

Currently, DPD has well over 100 neighbourhood drop-off points. To some extent, we work together with ViaTim: a partner with an existing network of neighbourhood drop-off points. Besides that, we are working hard to build our own network. By engaging in conversations with people, we can find out what they need, which we can then try to meet.

Private individuals that operate a neighbourhood drop-off point don’t do so free of charge. They will receive a small sum for every parcel that is collected or dropped off by their neighbours. That way, pensioners, youngsters, or people who work from home can easily make some extra money. What is more, it is a nice way to get in touch with neighbours.