DHL opens its first drive-up store in the U.S.

DHL Express wants to make it more convenient for customers to ship their goods — without even having to leave their cars. 

The international express shipping services giant has opened its first-ever mobile pop-up with a drive-up window in Woodbridge, Va.  The mobile ServicePoint store is located in the Potomac Mills shopping center. Customers can access the unit either via the drive-up service window or the store. 

The store’s point-of-sale system is capable of processing shipments to U.S destinations as well as any of the 220 countries and territories that DHL serves. Supplies such as bubble wrap, packing tape and DHL-branded boxes are available at the mobile unit.

In a nod to social-distancing concerns, the mobile unit offers safety features such as the Call Ahead service (labels and packaging are ready when the customer arrives to reduce wait time).

DHL worked in collaboration with Flexetail, a designer and builder of mobile shops that offers brands an affordable opportunity to test products, explore new markets and launch new lines, to create the mobile unit. 

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an unprecedented increase in international shipping in the area, and we continue to explore ways to adapt and offer an even safer shipping experience for our customers,” said Chet Paul, senior VP of commercial for DHL Express U.S. “With the addition of this unique model in Woodbridge, customers will now be able to complete all transactions without having to leave their car.”

In July 2020, DHL Express opened a mobile pop-up store in Silver Spring, Md.

In addition to new company-owned stores, more than 3,500 independently owned DHL ServicePoint Partner stores are located in the U.S.