DPD Laser and Multiserv partner to democratise parcel delivery to all South Africans

South Africans live busy lives and the massive growth in online retail
and associated deliveries since the COVID-19 pandemic really does show
just how much they’ve come to depend on the convenience it makes
possible.

The only part of the online shopping process that some consumers may
find less than ideal is being tied to a location as they wait for
their purchases to be delivered. While parcel delivery companies
provide a delivery window that allows for some planning, external
factors can affect that negatively, meaning that consumers get
frustrated when a delivery happens later than they expected,
disrupting their diary for the day.

That’s why nationwide delivery provider DPD Laser has partnered with
Multiserv, one of South Africa’s longest standing, most recognised
brands, to offer an in-store collection or drop-off service. Services
will include store to door or store to store delivery options.

Already established near the entrances of South Africa’s leading local
and regional malls in more than 100 locations, Multiserv stores offer
the basic services that every consumer needs – and have added parcel
collection and drop off with this collaboration.

The partnership gives consumers the option of nominating a Multiserv
store where they can collect the items they’re expecting to be
delivered via DPD Laser, giving them the flexibility to collect the
item at any time during the store’s opening hours. Similarly, anyone
wanting to send an item using DPD Laser’s national and international
network, can drop off their package at a Multiserv at a time that
suits them.

“Because Multiserv has so many stores in major centres, from the
Western Cape to Limpopo and in so many locations between those,
consumers are no longer tied to a location as they wait for their
delivery,” explains Jason Lombard, CEO of DPD Laser in South Africa.
“The partnership gives them the flexibility to take care of their
admin when they have time to, whether it’s having a shoe mended or
having a set of keys cut at a Multiserv outlet nearby.”

The collaboration between the international DPD and the super-South
African Multiserv brand creates additional earning opportunities for
each of the Multiserv franchisees, whether it’s via making the DPD
services available from their stores and adding convenience for their
customers or through extra income from the added foot traffic that
this partnership will bring. Who enjoys picking up laundry… now you
can have it cleaned at Multiserv and delivered to your door.

It also brings the convenience of parcel shipping to many more South
Africans who would simply not be able to wait for a collection vehicle
or delivery to come to them. They can now send packages across the
country when it suits them, to friends and family who would also
prefer to be more in control of when and where they receive their
goods.

“This partnership means that DPD Laser can offer the benefits of a
store-based parcel delivery and collection solution without incurring
the costs of setting up stores across the country,” Lombard adds. “We
can offer an affordable shipping option to consumers while keeping our
costs down, while extending the range of services to Multiserv
customers.”

“Partnering with DPD Laser to expand the range of services our
franchisees can offer to their customers adds value to their already
wide range of services while bringing more people into their stores,”
says Luandi Norris, Franchise and Marketing Manager at Multiserv.
“We’re proud to be working with such a well-recognised international
brand with its focus on South Africans’ needs and look forward to
seeing the wonderful opportunities it creates come to life.”

https://www.dpd.com/za/en/