News

GLS continues to strengthen its shipping network in the Czech Republic and adds to its 1,300 GLS ParcelShop and GLS ParcelBoxes an extensive network of Alza.cz vending machines. This is in response to the growing popularity of this delivery method, where in 2016 only 3% of people actively used parcel machines, today it is already one fifth (20%). GLS customers now have the opportunity to pick up their parcels at the network of 1300 AlzaBoxes, which are built in strategic and busy locations to bring GLS even closer to its customers. The number of GLS drop-off points in the Czech Republic will exceed 3,000 this year.

A step towards reducing our carbon footprint

In addition to the availability and accessibility of AlzaBoxes, another benefit for customers is trouble-free operation, sufficient capacity and security. With high-capacity boxes with 100 or more mailboxes, people can rely on spare capacity for their packages. Another advantage of being connected to a network of partner boxes is the reduction of emissions, thus representing a further step in sustainable transport. Protecting the environment is one of GLS's long-standing activities, and using a shared network of parcel boxes helps to minimise the carbon footprint and make better use of public space, where there is no need to build new boxes in all new locations, but rather can make efficient use of existing delivery capacity.

Important information on delivery to AlzaBoxes

• Only packages with the additional service of direct delivery to a GLS ShopDeliveryService outlet can be delivered to AlzaBoxes.
• Packages can also be delivered to AlzaBoxes with cash on delivery. Cash on delivery can only be paid online using the GoPay payment gateway.
• The recipient will receive a link to the GoPay payment gateway in an SMS and e-mail message informing the recipient that the package has been delivered to the selected AlzaBox.
• The storage period of the package in the AlzaBox is three days, the storage period can be extended by another three days at info@gls-czech.com or +420 567 771 111.
• Thanks to the online widget for selecting the GLS delivery point directly in the shopping cart, e-shops can deactivate or activate the option of delivery to AlzaBoxes.
• AlzaBoxes cannot be used to send or return packages.

GLS is further improving the availability of its services in the Czech Republic ahead of the Christmas season and is adding 85 parcel machines, the so-called GLS Parcel Boxes, to the 1,200 drop-off points in pilot operation for receiving and sending parcels. Customers will find them in a variety of locations across the country - from housing estates, around public institutions such as schools, town halls and hospitals, to the historic centre of Prague. More self-service boxes in new locations will gradually be added. In the past year, GLS has invested in the development of a completely new software that will allow easy integration of any parcel machine from any manufacturer or shared network operator into the standard GLS shipping process, while providing easy control not only for GLS operations, but most importantly for customers. They can easily set which type of dispensing points or boxes they wish to use for their shipments in the new widget.

One in five Czechs uses parcel boxes

By introducing its own self-service boxes, the parcel carrier is responding to the increased demand associated with the Black Friday discount event and their growing popularity. Seven years ago, only 3% of people actively used parcel machines, today it is already a fifth (20%). They appreciate especially the possibility of picking up the parcel at any time of the day (85%), faster delivery without waiting in line (46%), lower price (26%) and faster delivery (20%). The data is based on a GLS survey conducted by Ipsos using Instant Research in March 2022 on a sample of 1000 respondents.

As the popularity of parcel delivery to drop-off points grows overall, GLS has launched its "Everywhere You Need" campaign in the Czech Republic this year to expand its drop-off point network according to customer needs. This has not only significantly increased the number of GLS Parcel Shops, but also the quality of the locations from the perspective of GLS service users. In addition, thanks to GLS' international network, shoppers are increasingly able to choose their favourite domestic drop-off point even when shopping directly in a foreign e-shop. In addition, Czech e-shops can use one of more than 40,000 GLS drop-off points, including thousands of parcel boxes, to send parcels abroad.

Dear business partners,

As of 1 July 2022, an amendment to Act No. 18/1996 Coll. on prices, as amended, will come into force in the Slovak Republic. The aim of the amendment is to introduce rounding of the value of purchases so as to significantly reduce the circulation of 1 and 2 cent coins.

Rounding for cash on delivery

The obligation to round off to 0 and 5 cents will also affect cash on delivery. As it is not possible to determine in advance which payment method the recipient of the parcel will choose (cash or non-cash payment), our company will deliver parcels with the COD service to Slovakia rounded to 0 and 5 cents from 1 July 2022, regardless of the payment method used.

Functioning in practice

Our aim is to avoid differences in processing and accounting on both sides. We therefore recommend that you place your orders with the COD amount rounded to 0 or 5 cents.

If you enter a COD amount without rounding, our system will round the COD amount to an amount ending in 0 or 5 cents according to the applicable rounding rules published by the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic. This amount will be collected by the courier and then we will transfer the rounded amount to you.

We would like to inform you about the update of the General Terms and Conditions for Businesses, the Terms and Conditions for Consumers and the Complaints Procedure. All documents will come into force from 1.7.2022.

Main changes:

• Reaction to the current interpretation of the Postal Act
• Clear division of commercial terms and conditions according to the contracting party (consumer/business)
• Unification of terms and conditions for entrepreneurs regardless of the system used for handling shipments
• Extension of the deadline for notification of changes to the terms and conditions to 30 days
• Change of the reference for dispute resolution in the framework of consumer protection
• Clarification of claims for damages and deadlines for filing a claim in the Complaints Procedure

Documents valid from 1.7.2022:

• General terms and conditions for companies
• Terms and conditions for private persons
• Claims handling rules

GLS was awarded in the private sector category in 2017 when it participated in the first ever edition. The intention was not only to showcase GLS' activities in this area, but also to motivate other companies to follow suit. Since then, 5 years have passed and GLS has continued to work within its CSR project ThinkResponsible. As part of the ThinkGreen initiative, GLS has been working to reduce the negative environmental impact of parcel transport, reducing CO2 emissions through regular fleet renewal with an emphasis on the environmental aspects of newly acquired vehicles and deploying electric vans and electric bicycles. It compensates for the emissions generated by parcel transport by planting trees in the Czech landscape. As part of its ThinkSocial initiative, the company supports not only its employees in their development, but also selected charitable and environmental projects, such as the Na kole dětem (Bike for Children) foundation, the Donate a Toy Christmas project or the Go to Work by Bike project.
For this reason, GLS has re-applied to benchmark our progress in this area against others and to show that we have lived up to our commitments from the first award after five years.

At the beginning of April, the depot in Hradec Králové was moved to a new location at the exit from the D11 motorway on the main road to Jičín. The reconstructed premises make it possible to handle up to twice the number of packages and significantly reduce the traffic load in the city. The new depot has four ramps for unloading packages and more than 30 places for loading deliveries with the possibility of further expansion. Hradec Králové is an important transport hub where there has been a significant increase in delivery routes, so it was important to move the depot to larger premises located so as not only to reduce the total mileage, but also to reduce the traffic load in the city itself.

The new complex envisages the use of green energy and the operation of alternative propulsion vehicles. Environmental protection is one of GLS's priorities, which is why it strives to include environmental aspects in new constructions, reconstructions and extensions of existing buildings. The new depot premises in Hradec Králové will use solar energy, and of course the gradual inclusion of electrical supplies or e-bikes in the delivery process in the city center.

Twenty-three-year-old David Kainzmeier knew from an early age that he had racing in his blood. He spent almost 20 years behind the handlebars of a motocross bike. And when he was not overcoming the motocross track, he overcame the pitfalls of the city when delivering packages as a GLS courier at the Pilsen depot. All this changed in the summer of 2020, when he met an unfortunate fall on the race track in Stříbro. Since then, he has been confined to a wheelchair. Thus began a new stage of his life race, the goal of which is convalescence. You can learn more about David in our artitcle on our blog.

Find out more

GLS is looking for suitable models to expand its fleet of environmentally friendly cars. For this reason, it also began testing a new Mercedes eSprinter electric van. It can hold 300 bales, while on one charge it will travel about 130 km. The first large-capacity electric delivery from MAN will deliver packages at the depot in Hulín as early as February this year. By the end of the year, it is planned to expand the vehicle fleet by at least another 10 electrical supplies. Their deployment is part of the ThinkGreen program and will help reduce the carbon footprint.

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More movement, joy of life and less emissions, all this is brought about by the ecological challenge To work on a bike (DPNK). Despite the state of emergency, the 11th year will take place in May, and due to ongoing coronavirus limitations, it will be possible to upload any non-motorized routes to the system. Last year, despite the state of emergency, more than 16,000 people from all over the country took part, saving 493 tons of CO2. All participants will receive a starter pack, which is traditionally delivered by GLS.

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GLS started testing employees for coronavirus at the Jihlava HUB. Testing is provided by my colleague Alena, who is a trained nurse and has been trained for this purpose. According to government regulations, employees must be tested every 7 days. GLS also supports carriers at regional depots, where self-testing will be used to a greater extent. FFP2 respirators are also available to perform work safely and comply with government regulations. Most office workers work without restrictions again from the home office, which has already proved its worth during the spring lockdown.