DHL United Arab Emirates (UAE) is to open an air express center in Abu Dhabi’s Al-Muhairy Mall in Khalidiya next month, where customers would be able to drop off and pick up shipments. This move marks the direct entry of the Emirates’ air express supplier into the retail sector, according to a company press release. If successful, the Abu Dhabi pilot project will be replicated in other emirates.
“This 100,000 Emirati dirhams ($27,000) investment project follows a recent customer survey which showed a preference for centrally-available drop off locations. It is also part of our strategy of making our product as conveniently available to customers as possible and is in line with our expansion plans for the UAE capital,” said David Wild, DHL UAE general manager.
The move into the retail sector follows a recent Dh1.25 million investment by the company in a complete upgrade of its Abu Dhabi fleet, refurbishment of the airport road express center and the $1.5 million new DHL express handling center in Umm Al-Nar, Abu Dhabi and the opening of an air express center in Al-Ain late last year.
“Our aim is to grow the DHL presence in Abu Dhabi five-fold by the year end to meet anticipated 20 percent annual growth from the emirate. Further planned investment in the UAE capital includes a new airside facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport,” explained Wild. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
