Home / Business and Politics / Đorđe Marković, Director of GLS Croatia: We are committed to upgrading our electric fleet, expanding our network, and implementing innovative solutions

Đorđe Marković, Director of GLS Croatia: We are committed to upgrading our electric fleet, expanding our network, and implementing innovative solutions

Learning from the experiences of other countries within the GLS Group greatly assists all individual markets in which GLS operates. Each country within the Group, states Đorđe Marković, Director of GLS Croatia, operates under different market conditions, regulatory environments, and customer expectations. By analyzing and adopting best practices, GLS develops better strategies. In this process, the knowledge and experiences of cross-border colleagues aid in regional development, adds Marković, and certainly guide the development of foreign collaborations.

What business results are you recording in Croatia?

– Last year, the Croatian Chamber of Commerce awarded us the ‘Golden Kuna’. We are proud of such results that bring us the title of the best large company in Zagreb County. Providing reliable, fast, and secure delivery services is the foundation of our growth, and we are aware of the need to invest in logistics technology and infrastructure. However, the most modern technology is not enough. A passionate team plays a significant role in maintaining high business standards and building strong relationships with our clients. Our trust is also demonstrated by a 2023 survey of online customers conducted by the eCommerce Association of Croatia in collaboration with Algebra. In response to the question of which delivery service they prefer, online customers highlighted us as their clear first choice.

What makes the Croatian market special? How have you adapted to it?

– The Croatian market is primarily characterized by a blend of traditional and modern consumer behavior, which requires a versatile approach, balancing logistics solutions with personalized customer-oriented service. At GLS Croatia, we have invested in advanced tracking systems to ensure timely deliveries. Everyone can track their package in real-time through our Track&Trace system, and they can also postpone or redirect the delivery to another address. For years, packages were only picked up by couriers at home addresses. However, recipients are no longer willing to adjust their schedules. Significant changes and growth in the use of parcel lockers and parcel shops are evident in this segment. Recipients prefer parcel lockers because they can pick up their packages every day from 0 to 24, wherever it suits them.

How has the new distribution center in Donji Stupnik affected your business?

– The new, larger, and technically better-equipped space has brought about work optimization, shortened delivery processes, and better control. Consequently, we have gained another level of trust from our clients. Such an investment tells our clients that we are ready for new challenges in the market, that we are growing as a company, and that we understand their needs in logistics.

Do you have any special services on offer?

– Cash on delivery via card has proven to be excellent. Package recipients have an alternative to cash payments as they can pay the courier with a POS device or use a card at the parcel locker. Since we nurture delivery flexibility, the latest step in this segment is the GLS Shipping Plug-in, which allows web shops to integrate the selection of direct delivery to over 700 of our parcel lockers and parcel shops. Shipping Plug-ins are available for all online retailers within the Magento and WooCommerce platforms. With our Plug-in, online retailers do not need to waste time on manual work, as the carrier is automatically generated upon payment of the order in the web shop, and online customers intuitively use the interactive map with our locations. Finally, let’s not forget that packages are not only sent by legal entities; anyone can order GLS delivery services through the portal www.paket.hr.

How will you shape your future business?

– We are committed to upgrading our electric delivery fleet, which now comprises over 20 percent electric delivery vehicles, expanding our network, and implementing innovative solutions such as easy package sending from parcel lockers. This aims to shorten delivery times and increase overall customer satisfaction. Sustainability is a pillar of our expansion strategy. Our goal is not only to develop our business but to do so in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.

Content created in collaboration with GLS Croatia

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