DHL To Serve As Talbots' Preferred Residential Delivery Provider For Catalog And Online Customers
DHL, the world's leading express and logistics company, announced today that Talbots, a leading specialty retailer and e-tailer of women's classic apparel, shoes and accessories, has chosen DHL@home business-to-consumer delivery service for a substantial portion of its U.S. print and online catalog sales.
In choosing DHL, Talbots identified an opportunity to reduce home delivery times on ground shipments from the company's distribution center in Lakeville, Massachusetts to the West Coast from six days to four, while safeguarding Talbots unconditional customer guarantee. With more than 10,000 shipments a day, ensuring the excellent service for which Talbots is renowned is vital to the company's bottom line.
DHL created a customized program for Talbots that includes specialized customer service and proactive account monitoring to ensure that delivery requirements are met and fulfill Talbots' rigorous service standards.
Since 1999, DHL has led the way with its business-to-residential delivery service: DHL@home. With the @home service, DHL picks up, sorts, and delivers Parcel Select shipments via its network to the postal facility closest to the consumer. In partnership with DHL, the U.S. Postal Service then performs the last mile of delivery. DHL's @home services offer flexible delivery options of 2-4 or 2-7 days, delivery to P.O. boxes, and Saturday delivery at no additional charge.
"Talbots customers are accustomed to outstanding customer service, so we knew that we had to assemble the right expert team and work in close coordination to develop a process tailored to their unique operating approach," said Christopher Beach, National Sales Manager for DHL based in Boston, Massachusetts. "It was also important for Talbots to see the full array of resources in DHL's operation to understand that we have the flexibility and comprehensive solutions to meet their needs. This dedication to customer service allows DHL to bring on board exceptional industry leaders like Talbots, and we look forward to exceeding their expectations for years to come," continued Beach.
As companies begin to ramp up activity during the holiday season, DHL@home service -- already popular among catalog companies, e-tailers, fulfillment houses and many other business-to-residential shippers -- experiences its highest rate of growth. DHL's @home customers can leverage the business-to-residential service as well as a new return merchandise solution for the retail industry recently announced in a new DHL partnership with Newgistics. Newgistics' SmartLabel allows customers to return merchandise purchased online or through catalog sales effortlessly.
The new business relationship between DHL and Talbots also comes on the heels of several new initiatives at DHL, including the recent announcement that it will add thousands of new drop boxes to its network beginning in December as part of a program expected to bring the total number of DHL drop box locations in the U.S. to more than 32,000 by year-end 2005. This expansion of DHL's street level footprint is expected to significantly increase the number of DHL customer access points to more than 37,000 throughout the U.S., including more than 5,300 retail locations.
About DHL
With annual revenues over $25 billion in 2003, DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source.
DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport and logistics solutions, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. More than 160,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations. Founded in San Francisco in 1969, DHL is 100% owned by Deutsche Post World Net. For more information on DHL, please visit www.dhl.com.
About Talbots
Talbots is a leading national specialty retailer and cataloger of women's, children's, and men's classic apparel, shoes, and accessories. The Company operates more than 1,000 stores throughout the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom. Its catalog operation currently expects to circulate approximately 47 million catalogs worldwide in fiscal 2004. Talbots on-line shopping site is located at www.talbots.com.