DHL Express expects unprecedented online shopping and shipping volumes during the upcoming peak season as lockdowns due to COVID-19 accelerated the e-commerce boom.

The express service provider said volumes during the peak season this year is expected to be higher by more than 50% compared to the level seen during the peak season in 2019.

Increasing globalization, digitalization

DHL said the continuing growing levels of globalization and digitalization result in strongly increasing number of merchants selling globally and online marketplaces, such as shopping apps via which customers can choose from offerings all around the world.

As a consequence, it noted that cross border trade has continuously grown over the last years. This year, due to "predominating uncertainties" coming with the coronavirus pandemic, it added that consumers are shifting their shopping activities to the online world like never before.

"DHL Express is expecting an all-time high in e-commerce trade around the globe. Having already experienced around 35% e-commerce volume growth in 2020 in its network, the upcoming peak season will further accelerate this and result in higher shipment quantities above 50% compared to last year’s peak season," said John Pearson, CEO at DHL Express.

Higher volumes, early peak season

The express service provider said the effects of COVID-19 on online shopping will result in higher volumes and an earlier peak season start.

"It comes as no surprise that e-commerce numbers are rising, as this trend has already been visible during the past years. However, due to COVID-19, the volume of shipments grew tremendously higher than has been expected," DHL said.

It noted that numbers from the most important shopping occasions from earlier this year have already shown an increase in online sales by at least 35%.

"Covid-19 and its impacts such as curfews or distancing led to massive changes in the retail sector all over the world. As a consequence, the buying behaviour of consumers, but also B2B Buyers, changed significantly and shifted more and more into the online world," said Michiel Greeven, EVP Global Sales at DHL Express.

"From an e-commerce perspective, some might even say that COVID-19 brought 2030 to 2020, with online shopping and the necessary shipping as the new normal. And this not only counts for B2C retailers but also in the light of B2B E-commerce," he added, noting that this year, many giant stores will be going online with their sales promotion.

To manage the high demands of e-commerce shipping and also of highly important protective and medical goods, a high additional number of cargo flights is necessary.

In response, DHL noted that it has increased the number of its daily flights significantly — putting four new wide-body aircraft of the model B777 F in operations just this year, and two more units are expected in the next month.

It said these six additional aircraft enable the company to carry out more than 3.000 additional intercontinental flights per year.