Get to know 3 of the top ecommerce delivery brands in France.
France is only a short ferry or plane ride away for a holiday, but with massive growth expected in online sales over the next few years, it's also a must-target territory for your e-commerce business too.
According to Statista.com, in 2021 the number of internet users who bought something online in France reached 41.6 million, a four percent growth since the previous year, which, as business.com points out, makes it the 6th largest eCommerce market in the world.
What’s more, according to digital marketing agency, Gaasly, in 2020, the e-commerce market in France was valued at around $114 billion. By 2026, experts predict that number could almost double to $203 billion.
Combine that with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.04%, France is one of the fastest growing European e-commerce markets.
So, how best can you make sure you capture those opportunities available while also making sure your deliveries reach customers from La Rochelle to Nice, Paris to Toulouse quickly and safely?
Like in the UK, mail and parcel delivery is an open market and there are a few big players to choose from. However, we’ve narrowed the choices down to who we think are the top three.
- La Poste
- Colissimo
- Chronopost
La Poste
La Poste is probably one of the world's most recognisable French brands and is the national (and public) postal service of France.
They proudly claim their postal men and women collectively cover two million kilometres a week on their routes, that’s 52 trips around the earth!
While being publicly owned and looking after around 453 million parcels a year (2022), its parent company, Le Groupe La Poste, also owns and partners with multiple other delivery companies in France and across Europe.
The services they offer include:
- Collection and delivery services six days a week throughout France.
- Postal items weighing up to 2kg, parcels weighing up to 20kg and registered and insured items.
- Pick up and collection, as well as returns, can be made from personal letterboxes.
- Tracked delivery.
Colissimo
Colissimo offers services to businesses and individual with packages delivered or picked up at a post office if that’s more convenient.
They are also the number one distribution network in France with 17,000 sales outlets and pick-up stations throughout the country, capable of handling 1.3 million customers a day.
- They’re the largest distribution network the French domestic level and strong presence at the wider European level
- Tracked delivery with insurance and return management included
- Home delivery with or without signature
- Committed to sustainable development: offering recycled packaging and a carbon neutral programme that a fleet of more than 30,000 electric vehicles).
Chronopost
Working alongside La Poste’s other services is Chronopost, its express delivery specialist, ranked No. 1 in France for express delivery of parcels up to 30kg.
As part of La Poste subsidiary, DPD Group, they help deliver a massive 5.2 million parcels each day across 230 countries. In 2022, they delivered more than 230 million parcels
They have 1,000 hubs and warehouses across Europe, with 42,000 pick up points and 59,000 delivery vehicles to take your products direct to your customers.
- National and international coverage through the La Poste Group and DPDgroup networks
- Express delivery within 24 hours on average at domestic level
- Tracked delivery
- Flexibility in delivery offering home, pick-up & go or branch
One major benefit from looking at La Poste or Colissimo/Chronopost, for your 'final mile’ local delivery network in France is that Asendia is also part of La Poste family. This makes for a seamless transition from Asendia, who you can work with in the UK, to their French partners.
To gain access to La Poste, Colissimo and Chronopost services from the UK get in touch with Asendia today.
