National postal operator Emirates Post Group (EPG) has launched the first phase of a new project that will provide last-mile delivery solutions to facilitate and promote e-commerce in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
A key component of the project will be the introduction of more than 50 parcel lockers across the UAE by the end of 2017. The post has also opened a new online ‘UAE Stamp Shop’ to increase philatelic services and to assist collectors in the region. Other services set to be introduced include e-greeting cards, personalized stamps and an increased product offering through the EPG website.
Ibrahim Bin Karam, chief commercial officer, EPG, said, “The UAE Stamp Shop is one of the new innovative measures we have adopted to make it easy for stamp collectors to book and buy UAE stamps online. Our website is fully equipped to accept orders from all over using online payment methods. This will encourage stamp collectors to buy UAE stamps after making a selection from the online list.
“We are gearing ourselves to meet the emerging demands of an expanding e-commerce market. As there has been a huge increase in volumes of inbound parcels, we are focusing on last-mile delivery for e-commerce players. We have noticed that volumes from China in general have registered a five-fold increase over the past 18 months.
“Also, e-commerce exports from the UAE to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are increasing rapidly, with e-commerce companies sending huge volumes to Saudi Arabia on a daily basis. Emirates Post has the perfect solutions for small packages to GCC countries.”
“Reverse logistics is also an important value-added solution being offered by EPG, as over 30% of e-commerce shipments are generally returned to the sender. Inside each e-commerce parcel there will be a return airwaybill for return delivery to the sender,” Bin Karam concluded.
April 19, 2016