The UK’s number 1 domestic parcels carrier, DPD UK, has recorded its biggest ever Cyber Weekend, with parcel volumes up 13% on last year.
The company experienced record volumes of parcels in its four giant, automated sorting hubs each night in the week running up to Black Friday and right through the weekend.
DPD UK had a record number of delivery vans on the road over the weekend having recruited a significant number of new permanent drivers during the year in preparation for Cyber Weekend, and the company’s growing fleet of electric vehicles made a significant contribution to the landmark effort.
Parcel volumes are expected to fall slightly now, before building to a second peak on 16th December following the last major weekend of online Christmas shopping.
Dwain McDonald, DPD UK’s CEO, praised his team, “It has been an incredible weekend. The whole team has been absolutely amazing. We have maintained our very high service standard, despite record volumes and that is something everyone should be very proud of. We start planning for Peak in January and we look at every single aspect of the whole process, but when it all comes together it is still a great achievement for everyone involved.
“Black Friday and Cyber Weekend are here to stay, and we fully accept that. We have had to adapt our plans significantly in recent years, but we work incredibly hard with our retail customers to ensure we can give them the same great service in November and December as we do over the rest of the year.”
DPD UK received a boost just before Black Friday with two separate awards for its sustainable delivery strategy. The company collected a coveted Green Apple Environment Award for environmental best practice at a prestigious ceremony at the House of Commons, followed a couple of days later by a ‘Fleet Heroes’ award from the Energy Saving Trust.
DPD UK scooped the Sustainable Deliveries Hero category, topping a 6-strong shortlist featuring EV specialists Gnewt and Zedify. The award judges hailed DPD UK’s innovative approach to zero emission deliveries via its central London micro-depots, as well as the nationwide roll-out of EVs and highly proactive lobbying initiatives.
