DHL opens ‘first-of-its-kind’ mobile pop-up — with more to come

DHL Express is taking its services on the road.

The international express shipping services giant has opened its first mobile pop-up store,  in Silver Spring, Md. Located within the Westfield Mall parking area, the 2,200-cubic-ft. mobile DHL Service Point is described as the first of its kind in the shipping industry, providing a quick and easily accessible shipping option for customers.

Although the new pop-up will remain in its Silver Spring location for the foreseeable future, it can be relocated as needed, based on changes in local shipping trends. The entire unit is built on a hydraulic lift platform and intelligently wired to accommodate all of the essential amenities, such as HVAC, security and computer systems – including a fast point-of-sale system that can process shipments to destinations in both the U.S. and any of the 220 countries and territories DHL serves. 

Supplies such as bubble wrap, packing tape and DHL-branded boxes are available. In the coming months, customers will also be able to pick up incoming packages at this location. (DHL worked with Flexetail to create the mobile location.)

In response to social-distancing restrictions, pop-up also offers safety features, including “call ahead services” with labels and packaging are ready when the customer arrives, to reduce wait time, and an easy-access service window, which saves visitors from having to enter the store.

As part of its overall retail strategy, DHL has plans to launch additional mobile DHL ServicePoint locations in other major markets by the end of the year. The company also recently opened its first fully branded, company-owned U.S. retail store, in Miami, following with another in Chicago. 

“With the rise in popularity of mobile pop-ups for food, fashion and more, we saw an excellent opportunity to offer our customers a similar type of convenient experience," said DHL Express U.S. CEO Greg Hewitt. "That growing need for convenience combined with the local demand for our international shipping services led us to develop this mobile, flexible shipping solution.”

In addition to new company-owned stores, over 7,100 independently owned DHL ServicePoint Partner stores operate in the U.S. market.