Emirates Post speeds growth with more deals

Emirates Post is accelerating its growth ambitions with new deals for a network of convenient PUDO service points, electric vehicles and better cross-border shipment data.

The three latest agreements are part of the postal group’s strategy of developing into a seamless gateway and strategic logistics hub for cross-border eCommerce traffic for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including through its recent agreement with Emirates Skycargo.

Service point network

The UAE’s official postal operator has teamed up with ENOC Group to use its convenience store chain ZOOM for pick-up and drop-off locations for customers sending or receiving courier shipments via Emirates Post. ZOOM stores serve a wide range of products for people on-the-go and is part of the everyday life of UAE residents.

Both Emirates Post customers and business partners can benefit from this new service point partnership. Customers can simply select a ZOOM location as their preferred pickup point when managing their shipment deliveries via Emirates Post’s website, mobile app or Call Centre, via SMS or WhatsApp, or when shopping online with e-tailers who have partnered with Emirates Post for last mile deliveries.

In addition, companies using Emirates Post for last-mile fulfilment gain an additional delivery location option.

Improving customer experience

Peter Somers, CEO of Emirates Post, said: “Emirates Post continuously develops solutions focused on offering ease, convenience, and better options for our customers. With the continued growth of e-commerce platforms across the UAE, Emirates Post has been witnessing significant demand for last-mile delivery services.

“The new ‘Emirates Post Service Point’ is set to enhance customer experience as well as add value to the growing demand for last-mile solutions across the country. Partnerships such as this one are set to boost Emirates Post’s network of services and successfully integrate convenient locations in the company’s last-mile delivery options.”

His Excellency Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO, ENOC, added: “Offering ease and convenience to our customers is at the core of our Group’s ethos and partnering with Emirates Post, which shares our vision to deliver simplicity, convenience and choice, underlines our commitment to enhance the overall customer experience.”

Electric vehicles for UAE

Today (November 25), Emirates Post Group chairman Badr Al Olama signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with electric vehicles manufacturer BrightDrop Solutions, a new General Motors subsidiary, to support its plans for more efficient, smarter and sustainable last mile solutions in the UAE.

Under the agreement, the two parties will explore opportunities around sustainable logistics services, particularly in delivery vehicles. In addition, the parties agreed to cooperate in testing future proof of concepts in line with their respective goals and strategies, including the deployment of an electrified delivery ecosystem and other new, innovative technologies.

In particular, Emirates Post Group will explore how to leverage BrightDrop’s ecosystem of connected delivery products, software and services to create a more sustainable and more efficient transport of goods. BrightDrop’s solutions are designed to reduce carbon emissions and congestion, while helping companies like EPG decrease costs, increase productivity, prioritize driver safety, and support sustainability goals.

Al-Olama commented: "Emirates Post Group is transforming its business and adopting intelligent solutions to establish competitive advantage, while promoting sustainable solutions. We are pleased to work with BrightDrop to meet smarter and more efficient last mile services. This new agreement fosters our commitment in improving our operations to be more dynamic, optimized, and eco-friendly."

Travis Katz, CEO and President of BrightDrop said: “The rise in ecommerce is creating challenges globally. Electrifying EPG’s delivery fleet could help to combat the negative effects of vehicle-related emissions on climate change, while incorporating BrightDrop’s connected products could help reduce delivery costs and improve safety on roads across the UAE.”

Deeper Hurricane partnership

Earlier this month, Emirates Post moved to strengthen its cooperation with Hurricane Commerce, its cross-border data partner, as part of its ongoing digital transformation.

The postal operator has already integrated Hurricane’s Zephyr solution, its bulk clearance data enhancement tool, to ensure that all inbound and outbound parcels have the requisite shipment data including product descriptions, HS6 codes and import/export codes.

Now it is adopting Hurricane’s Aura solution which covers the three critical cross-border areas of duty and tax calculation, prohibited and restricted goods screening and denied parties screening.

Regulatory changes

CEO Peter Somers explained: “The regulations impacting the way cross-border eCommerce happens have changed beyond all recognition in 2021 thanks, among other things, to Brexit, the abolition of the EU’s VAT exemption on low-value goods, the introduction of the Import One-Stop Shop and the US STOP Act.

“We have, for example, noticed a significant change since the introduction of the Import One-Stop Shop on July 1 in terms of the requirements for complete and valid data placed on retailers and marketplaces.”

Keeping shipments moving

He continued: “One of the biggest challenges we face is the need for complete and accurate data sets, and the successful integration of Hurricane’s Zephyr API is already making a huge difference. By ensuring the data sets are complete, we keep our customers’ shipments moving seamlessly.

He stressed: “The integration of Zephyr has gone extremely well and results from the API calls have been excellent, giving Emirates Post greater accuracy and increased security controls to ensure the integrity of the network is kept to the highest standard. We are now working with Hurricane to expand our customer offering further by adding more functionality.”

David Spottiswood, Co-Founder of Hurricane Commerce, added: “We are delighted to be strengthening our partnership with Emirates Post. They are a forward-thinking, ambitious postal operator that understands the vital role complete and accurate cross-border eCommerce data plays in enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.

“The UAE and wider Middle East is one of the most exciting regions in terms of eCommerce growth potential and Emirates Post is positioning itself to be one of the leading players.”