We are delighted to find individuals and organisations who truly understand the benefits of using QR Codes to trigger many customer experiences, from loading websites to executing payments between consumer and merchant. Zapper has been doing the latter since its inception in 2013, and its popularity rose significantly in the early years when the novelty factor trumped all else. Today there are many worthy competitors to the “scan-and-pay” experience, such as tap-and-pay from a multitude of devices (NFC bracelet, watch and phone, and the “old fashioned” card) and the war over convenience wages in stores, both on the high street and online every day. The question that we grapple with continuously is: why has there been such universal adoption of QR Code payments in China while the rest of the world plays catch-up? The credit goes to WeChat Pay and AliPay who account for an extraordinarily large percentage of payments in the country (> 90%), but still doesn’t explain the origins of the “why”. What is apparent is that the action of making a payment is usually the result of some other lifestyle action, such as shopping, dining out, paying staff and service providers, or simply paying for your parking. In the case of WeChat and AliPay, their choice was to provide access to as many useful lifestyle actions as possible to provide insanely convenient experiences to its users. I refer to this as “shifting left,” going right to the start of the customer journey and thereafter owning the end-to-end experience. Uber does this incredibly well. Those payment providers that wish to remain in the “commodity zone,” where the race to the bottom means scale is essential, can and do offer their services in the checkout experience that all online and app vendors require. The choice remains a strategy decision. As the Chinese super apps grew to become essential to everyday life in China, they were able to demonstrate and “enforce” the convenience of QR Code payments in the …
Fleet Forward: DPD Invests in South Africa
What South Africa needs now at this pivotal point in our history is commitment. If we come together, which we have consistently proven we can over the last 30 years, we can surprise the world. In the last few weeks since the elections, we have even surprised ourselves. From this new springboard of greater unity, we have a fresh opportunity to course correct. Slowly but surely we are seeing investment in green electrons which will eventually bid load shedding goodbye. South Africa will be changed by leadership, and by investment. In infrastructure, healthcare, education, security, and of course commerce. We are seeing a dramatic shift in digital business, which has given birth to a boost in many sectors, many of whom need trusted partners to grow, which in turn drives employment. At DPD, we have been a key part of traveling that all-important last mile to ensure transactions are complete, playing a vital role in the transportation of vaccines during the pandemic, right through to getting birthday gifts across a river in Mdumbi. This week, I am excited to announce a significant milestone in our journey – the investment in a new fleet of vehicles. This strategic move underscores our commitment to support South African businesses and the burgeoning ecommerce sector. As we drive forward with boldness and ambition, this investment symbolises our dedication to fostering growth and enhancing our service capabilities. We have to commit to this as a sign of commitment to partners like MyRunway, with whom we have journeyed over ten years, since they first opened their doors. DPD's success is built on our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. Our new fleet represents the latest in logistics technology, designed to improve efficiency, reduce delivery times, and enhance the overall customer experience. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and local expertise, we continue to provide flexible and user-friendly products and services, ensuring that doing …
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Delivering against the odds, to keep SA’s economy on the road
Doing business in South Africa has long been a challenge for the bravest and boldest brands and businesses, with the last few years serving up a particularly diverse set of obstacles for local commerce to overcome. Between the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions, ongoing power outages, extreme weather events and road closure caused by a myriad of different reasons, South Africans’ adaptability and determination to overcome the odds has truly shone through, despite everything that’s gone on around them. We’ve seen this spirit shine through across our diverse clients, and it both mirrors and inspires DP Laser’s commitment to make sure that the economic activity that is key to our country’s future is possible across every city, town, and settlement – no matter how remote. Whether this is by making sure that consumers in remote areas can purchase the items they need online, and have them delivered with a few days, or whether it’s enabling remote crafters to sell their goods via the power of the internet, parcel delivery services like ours truly are enablers of the economy of the future. That’s why we are so determined to complete deliveries on time and in full – no matter how the odds are stacked against that happening. While we consistently deliver on time and in full 98% of the time, with a first-time delivery rate of as high as 93%, there are often obstacles in the way. However, we’ve got a range of strategies to deal with them – in true South African ‘make a plan’ style! Tapping tech to be on time When the real-world environment can be unpredictable, it’s time to turn to technology for help – and pre-delivery notifications give end-customers the reminder that they need to be available on a certain day to accept their parcel, with the unique option to reschedule, by simply clicking on their sms link, should they choose to. It’s also possible for our account holders to set up one-time personal identification number (OTP) enabled deliveries, …
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Steps towards sustainability must be a key part of every business’s strategy for success
There’s no clearer imperative for the sustainable future of our world and society than the need to reduce or mitigate carbon emissions. Nearly all land areas are warmer than they have been in history, with severe storms, increased rainfall, flooding, landslides, and droughts causing damage to life and infrastructure. There’s nothing that any single person can do to change all of this – but if we all work together, and make better choices about how we live and do business, there’s a greater chance that climate change can be slowed, and our environment protected and nurtured. That’s why at DPD Laser, a GeoPost parcel delivery business in South Africa, we’ve taken extensive steps to mitigate our impact on the environment. It’s not possible yet to convert our fleet of vehicles to electric alternatives, for many reasons, but we continue to monitor developments in this area. We’re inspired by GeoPost’s achievement of being the first global delivery company to have both its near and long-term CO2 emissions reduction target approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The pathway to achieving the group’s plan to reach net-zero by 2040 sets us all on a clear path to be the international reference in sustainable delivery. While it’s not yet feasible in South Africa, the global business is diversifying its fleet to include alternative powertrain technologies such as biogas, biofuel, electric, and hydrogen-powered trucks, as well as shifting more parcel transport to rail transport options. Other interventions – already underway in South Africa – include switching to renewable energy to power our logistics sites and offices, so that we can meet our global goal of using 70% of our energy from renewable sources by 2030. We’ve started with the simple things: creating and implementing a smart system to improve our first-time, on-time delivery results. This not only makes sense for the people who are receiving our goods …
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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 …
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DPD and NSBC join hands to empower South Africa’s small businesses
In a bid to address the pressing challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses in South Africa, DPD ZA, one of the country's leading couriers, has forged an exciting partnership with the National Small Business Chamber (NSBC). The move aims to provide vital support to this crucial segment of the economy, which plays a significant role in fostering social stability and economic growth. Understanding the struggles that entrepreneurs face, DPD ZA embarked on a mission to listen to its clients. The responses were clear – small businesses in South Africa grapple with load shedding and intermittent electricity supply, the high cost of adopting solar power and batteries, as well as challenges in managing their finances, and sales and marketing efforts effectively. Additionally, they sought ways to enhance day-to-day operations, ranging from training to streamlining packing and delivery processes. With the challenges laid bare, DPD ZA made the decision to partner with the National Small Business Chamber for a year-long initiative that focuses on empowering and supporting these enterprises. This transformative collaboration will see the delivery giant offering expert advice through engaging columns and insightful presentations. As an added incentive, members of the NSBC who sign up for DPD ZA’s express parcel delivery solution will receive exclusive and more favourable rates. Jason Lombard, the CEO of DPD ZA, highlighted the pivotal role small businesses play in the South African economy. He said, “We believe that these enterprises are the heartbeat of our nation, and empowering them can lead to a cascading effect, benefiting communities and the economy at large. Each and every business matters. And we want to do our part to help them through a tough and dark period in our economy. The core of this partnership is the DPD ZA Savvy Business Toolkit, a comprehensive collection of free resources aimed at equipping small business owners with the knowledge and …
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The quest for certainty in e-commerce delivery
In today's rapidly evolving world of e-commerce, one thing is abundantly clear: the receiver holds the reins. It's the receiver—the customer—who ultimately dictates the trends and expectations that shape the industry. And, as someone deeply entrenched in the e-commerce landscape, I can confidently say that what the receiver wants, above all, is certainty when it comes to delivery times. From a trend perspective, this pursuit of certainty in delivery times has been a driving force in the e-commerce industry. It’s not just about speed; it’s about precision and reliability. As we all know, there are instances when speedy delivery is crucial—like when you urgently need that replacement laptop charger or a last-minute gift for a special occasion. But what I’ve observed, time and again, is that the standard e-commerce receiver wants something more fundamental: to be informed, accurately, and in a timely manner. Imagine this: you place an order online, and instead of being left in the dark about when your precious package will arrive, you’re provided with a precise one-hour delivery window. This is precisely what we’ve witnessed in Europe, where DPD Group’s service, aptly named Predict, offers customers a one-hour delivery window as a standard service. It’s a level of precision and reliability that we’re working hard to bring to the South African market. So how does this work? It’s actually a pretty simple concept, but it requires a host of interconnected elements to function seamlessly. First and foremost, your address must be 100% correct so that elements of route planning can happen the night before the vehicle actually goes out for delivery. This ensures that you receive a notification prior to the vehicle even leaving the depot. It’s all about meticulous preparation to meet that one-hour window commitment. But it doesn’t stop there. To truly offer a one-hour delivery window, you must be able to communicate in real time with the receiver. In …
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DPD: Trusted to deliver 8.4 million parcels per day, globally.
When it comes to parcel delivery, few names resonate on a global scale quite like DPD. The company's reach, credibility, and the esteemed network it belongs to are nothing short of phenomenal. In this article, we delve into the vast expanse of DPD and its associated companies around the world, unveiling a picture of unmatched expertise and commitment. At its core, DPD South Africa is backed by Geopost, the majority shareholder. Geopost, a true multinational juggernaut, operates in 49 countries across all continents. It boasts an extensive network of expert delivery brands, each a leader in its respective domain. These include DPD, Chronopost, SEUR, BRT, Speedy, and Jadlog, collectively serving as a testament to Geopost’s global prominence. With 57,000 dedicated employees, Geopost is on a mission to make commerce more convenient, profitable, and sustainable for its customers and the communities it serves. A remarkable feat is Geopost’s commitment to becoming an international reference in sustainable delivery. It stands as the first global delivery company to have its roadmap to Net Zero by 2040 approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Geopost’s influence spans borders and is setting an industry standard that others can only aspire to reach. Local Partnerships and Powerhouses In the local arena, DPD South Africa enjoys the support of The Laser Group, a minority shareholder. The Laser Group is a proudly South African company, proudly majority black-owned, and holds the distinction of being one of the largest independent logistics businesses in the country. This local collaboration adds a uniquely South African touch to the global excellence that DPD embodies. An International Partner of Unmatched Stature Geopost, with its DPDgroup, reigns supreme as the largest international parcel delivery network in Europe. DPDgroup seamlessly blends innovative technology with local knowledge, creating a flexible and user-friendly service that …
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Driving tech integration to accelerate business growth
In today's digital-first landscape, businesses across diverse sectors from B2B enterprises to healthcare, retail, and e-commerce are ardently seeking technological synergies that not only streamline operations but also carve a path for competitive superiority. Does that sound like a business? How intelligently any chain links together dictates its strength. There isn’t the space for weak links. In sectors such as healthcare, retail, e-commerce, a fissure can create a fracture, or even a break, resulting in reputational damage, from the initial engagement until the very end of the last mile on delivery. At the forefront of this evolutionary tide stands DPD, a leading global logistics and delivery entity. Operating in nearly 50 countries, its parent company, GeoPost, has a distinct reputation as an innovator in the with unparalleled access to cutting-edge technologies, best practices, and a vast network of resources. This symbiotic relationship empowers DPD to leverage GeoPost’s global expertise, ensuring it remains at the forefront of delivering sophisticated, scalable, and customised solutions that cater to the diverse needs of its clients. For the B2B landscape, this translates to an interconnected supply chain ecosystem, reducing lead times, diminishing costs, and amplifying end-customer gratification. DPD’s technological prowess is transforming healthcare logistics by ensuring critical supplies are managed and delivered with unmatched precision and timeliness, underpinning the sector’s move towards efficiency and dependability. In the fast-evolving realms of retail and e-commerce, DPD’s integration and reporting tools are pivotal. They enhance customer experiences through real-time tracking and inventory management, fostering loyalty while optimising operational costs. “Our aim is to imbue our clients with the capability to not just respond to market demands, but to anticipate and shape them, driving unparalleled growth,” …
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Survive or thrive: SA’s SMEs are needing fast capital
For more information on Quick Capital and how Zapper is empowering South African businesses, follow this link: https://www.zapper.com/quick-capital/ …