DHL retail outlet routing: avoid returns, keep customers happy

Returns cost time and money, and you'd surely rather save both. That's why DHL's retail outlet routing is a top service for returns avoidance. Below you'll learn what it is, the advantages it offers, why you should use it via Sendcloud, and how to activate it. One thing up front: parcel-outlet routing with DHL moves your online business forward.

What is retail outlet routing?

Retail outlet routing is a service for DHL business customers that gives your parcel a second chance when the recipient couldn't be found at the given address and the shipment couldn't be delivered. Without it, your parcel would automatically be sent back to you. With parcel-outlet routing, things look very different: instead of being returned right away, your undeliverable parcel first goes safely to the nearest DHL outlet with a parcel counter. The clever part: your customer immediately receives an email that their parcel is waiting for them at the outlet for seven business days. When they pick it up, that makes not only your customer happy but you too, since unnecessary effort and needless return costs are avoided more often.

Retail outlet routing offers you many advantages

Avoid returns

With parcel-outlet routing you can reduce the number of undeliverable returns and avoid having to re-ship your parcel.

Achieve higher customer satisfaction

Your customer will be glad their parcel isn't sent straight back but can be picked up just around the corner at the nearest outlet. That's service.

Gain another opportunity to interact

Want to strengthen customer loyalty further? Parcel-outlet routing helps here too. As an alternative to the carrier's email notification, you can contact your customer directly: simply have the notification sent to you and forward the relevant information under your own company name. That makes an impression, strengthens your image, and gives you another chance to interact.

DHL, a strong partner for retail outlet routing

DHL is one of the leading, widely networked carriers and has stood for reliable national and international delivery since 1969. Thanks to its many locations, from parcel lockers and post offices to parcel shops, your parcels are always kept close to your customers and can be picked up conveniently.

What does outlet routing cost?

Parcel-outlet routing is available at attractive rates. When you ship via Sendcloud, it costs €0.30 per parcel. If the recipient's address is identifiable, parcel-outlet routing is free. If your parcel isn't picked up at the outlet within seven business days, DHL returns it to you for a fee.

Do I need a DHL business contract for retail outlet routing?

Parcel-outlet routing is available exclusively to DHL business customers, so a DHL business contract is a prerequisite. Even at smaller shipping volumes, a DHL contract already pays off, thanks to simplified handling, discounted conditions, and price stability.

Why use retail outlet routing via Sendcloud?

You benefit even more from parcel-outlet routing and many other features when you connect your own DHL contract in Sendcloud and access parcel-outlet routing through the Sendcloud panel.

More flexibility, more revenue

Shipping via Sendcloud gives you complete freedom: in addition to DHL options like parcel-outlet routing, you can use services from carriers such as DPD, GLS, UPS, FedEx, DHL Express, and Deutsche Post for you and your customers. That has a positive effect on your revenue too, since two out of three online shoppers abandon a purchase if they're not happy with the carrier on offer. With Sendcloud's various shipping partners you optimize your checkout and cut cart abandonment, all through a single portal.

More automation and convenience

Sendcloud makes shipping even easier and spares you the tedious retyping of address data and awkward CSV imports. Once your store and DHL contract are integrated with Sendcloud, all incoming orders are consolidated within the platform. That means no more typing in customer addresses by hand, and then just one click prints the right DHL label for your parcels.

First class in returns

If, despite parcel-outlet routing, your parcel isn't picked up within seven business days, DHL and Sendcloud still give you a first-class returns process. With Sendcloud, your returns become even more personal and customer-friendly, all in your own branded look. In just a few clicks you connect your own returns portal to your store, where customers can easily print a return label, and you keep full control with a clear overview of every return and its status.

Tracking, personalized

Sendcloud goes a step further with tracking: you lead your customers to your own tracking page and send your own track & trace emails, for example to inform them about a parcel at a DHL outlet. From the logo to the colors, design, and text, you personalize everything to match your store, and you can even feature your own campaigns and social feed to drive repeat purchases.

One level more secure

Shipping with DHL comes with standard liability of up to €500. That liability stays in place when you connect your business contract to Sendcloud, and it gets better: with Sendcloud you can add affordable insurance for parcels worth more than €500 through shipping insurance.

Activate retail outlet routing in Sendcloud

Getting started is straightforward:

1. Set up a DHL business contract if you don't have one yet.

2. Choose a Sendcloud plan that fits your needs.

3. Connect your DHL contract in the Sendcloud panel under Settings > Carriers & pricing, and you can automatically access retail outlet routing.

Warenpost with retail outlet routing

Warenpost (DHL Kleinpaket) is a Deutsche Post service that makes fast shipping of small-format parcels easier for high-volume senders, with documented delivery and tracking included. There's no separate Warenpost parcel-outlet routing, but your Warenpost can be combined with DHL's parcel-outlet routing. Keep these Warenpost dimensions in mind: minimum 10 x 7 x 0.1 cm, maximum 35.3 x 25 x 5 cm, and a maximum weight of 1,000 g.

Ready for retail outlet routing with Sendcloud?

Want to find out more about how Sendcloud works with DHL, or start shipping with DHL? Visit our DHL carrier page.