DHL partners with businesses for African expansion

Parcel delivery company DHL is increasing its African presence by recruiting local business owners to act as DHL resellers.

"Thousands of vendors – such as electronics stores, travel agents and stationery stores – now offer DHL Express services alongside their existing product offerings," Steve Burd, acting vice president of sales for DHL, Sub-Saharan Africa, said. "These small businesses benefit from commission on all DHL sales, an increase in foot traffic as well as being associated with a global brand."

The 2015 A.T. Kearney 2015 Global Retail Development Index™ cited African nations Botswana, Nigeria and Angola as three of the top 30 developing countries for retail investment globally.

“Developing countries, as well as early stage markets with little to no formal shopping culture, are increasingly becoming viable markets for retailers," Burd said. “Supply chains in Africa are more challenging than many other markets in the world, and the key to success is understanding these in order to offset the risks versus the opportunity which the continent offers.”

DHL currently operates 5,800 retail outlets throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.