Growth of the E-Commerce Market in Poland and the Strategic Partnership Between DHL and Allegro
The Polish e-commerce market has been growing dynamically for several years, and forecasts indicate continued intensive expansion. According to a Strategy& (PwC) report, the value of this market in Poland is expected to increase by over 94 billion PLN between 2021 and 2027. Key categories contributing to this growth include fashion (21 billion PLN), electronics (19 billion PLN), and health & beauty (11 billion PLN).
In response to these trends, on November 28, 2024, DHL eCommerce, a division of DHL Group, and Allegro, Poland’s largest e-commerce platform, announced a strategic partnership. As part of this collaboration, DHL’s delivery services have been integrated into the Allegro Delivery program, providing Allegro customers with access to the DHL BOX 24/7 network, DHL POP pickup points, and DHL courier services.
Shopping Preferences of Polish Consumers
Research conducted by DHL reveals that 81% of Polish consumers browse online offers at least once a month, while 48% make online purchases at least once a week. The most frequently purchased categories are:
- 64% clothing and footwear
- 44% consumer electronics
- 33% cosmetics
It is worth noting that 95% of Polish consumers shop on international platforms, mainly due to lower prices (54%) and a wider product selection (37%). The most popular foreign e-commerce platforms among Poles are:
- 29% Amazon
- 27% Temu
Delivery and Return Preferences
Polish consumers highly value flexibility and convenience when it comes to product delivery. As many as 68% prefer to pick up their parcels from parcel lockers, the highest rate in Europe. In comparison, only 26% choose home delivery. Additionally, 42% of consumers abandon their purchase if their preferred delivery option is not available.
Regarding returns:
- 64% prefer returning items via parcel lockers
- 20% choose home pickup
- 27% favor paperless returns, using QR codes scanned at drop-off points or parcel lockers
DHL’s Investments in Poland’s Logistics Infrastructure
To meet the growing demands of the e-commerce market, DHL is heavily investing in logistics infrastructure in Poland. In March 2024, a state-of-the-art International Logistics Center was opened in Robakowo near Poznań. The 32,000 m² facility, equipped with 3,000 meters of conveyor belts, has a sorting capacity of 45,000 parcels per hour. During peak periods, the center can handle up to one million shipments daily, significantly enhancing DHL’s logistics efficiency in the region.
Data Source:
DHL E-Commerce Report
https://group.dhl.com/de/presse/pressemitteilungen/2024/dhl-und-allegro-gehen-strategische-zusammenarbeit-fuer-zustellservices-in-polen-ein.html
