DPD offers parcel collections, fitting rooms and coffee at Berlin concept store

DPD Germany has opened an innovative concept store in Berlin offering customers parcel collections and returns, fitting rooms to try on orders and diverse additional services, including a cosy coffee bar.

Designed to make online shopping more convenient and also sustainable, the DPD Store, which is located in the German capital’s trendy Friedrichshain district, also operates as a micro-depot providing local deliveries by cargo bike.

Consumers located in the area can have their orders sent directly to the first DPD Store in Germany, try on and try out their purchases there in a relaxed atmosphere, and conveniently send off any returns on the spot right away. Cardboard boxes that are no longer needed are given a new lease of life by being passed on free of charge.

If the pilot project proves successful, the parcel carrier plans to open similar stores in other German cites. In the long term, it intends to roll out DPD Stores across the country.

New shopping experience

Eric Malitzke, CEO of DPD Germany, said: "We have all come to appreciate the benefits of online shopping, but we also know the challenges - especially when it comes to taking delivery of parcels, returning goods and dealing with all the boxes and packaging, not to mention the delivery traffic in city centres.

“This is exactly where we come in with our DPD Store by creating a completely new brand and shopping experience. At the same time, we are offering an innovative future concept for sustainable mail order operations," he stressed.

Comfortable atmosphere

The DPD Store is clearly focused on providing a feel-good atmosphere and customer guidance: designed with wood and natural materials, the bright and friendly interior invites visitors to linger and enjoy a cup of fair trade coffee at the DPD coffee bar.

Optimally lit changing rooms with large mirrors are available for trying on items of clothing, while their design as a jungle or 3D infinity room provides the perfect backdrop for a selfie. The opening times, Monday to Friday from 08:00 - 20:00 hrs and Saturdays from 08:00 - 14:00 hrs, should suit busy urban consumers.

Re-using, not recycling

Returns are accepted on the spot directly by the DPD Store staff, as are used and re-usable boxes and packaging materials. These are given a second life at the "Verwert-Bar" recycling point. In line with the principle of re-using instead of recycling, they are passed on free of charge to customers who want to send a parcel of their own. The required parcel label can also be conveniently created and printed out at the self-service terminal.

Sustainable partnerships

In addition, the DPD Store focuses squarely on sustainable partnerships: the self-storage unit provider Storebox has rented part of the shop space and offers online bookable storage spaces of varying sizes. Either for a short period of time or permanently, anyone interested can use these to store items that take up too much space at home or are only needed on an occasional basis.

Moreover, the culinary programme also focuses on sustainability: in addition to fair trade coffee, the menu includes organic snacks, including "rescued" food.

Green city logistics

Finally, the DPD store in Friedrichshain also functions as a micro-depot and is therefore a component of green city logistics, which aims to reduce the volume of cars and delivery traffic in inner cities.

A number of e-cargo bikes from the manufacturer ONO are stationed at the back of the store, where they are charged and loaded with parcels on the spot. When the micro-depot goes into operation, initially around 300 parcels per day will be delivered locally emission-free to customers who have not chosen to have their parcels delivered to the parcel shop area of the DPD Store.