DHL, Vinted expand second-hand marketplace with 30k lockers

Vinted, Europe's largest second-hand marketplace, has formalized a partnership with DHL Group to integrate the logistics provider's extensive network of automated parcel lockers, retail outlets, and self-service kiosks across Germany. Following a successful multi-month pilot, the collaboration will enable Vinted sellers to drop off parcels 24/7 at DHL Packstations and buyers to collect items on their own schedule, removing traditional retail hours friction. This strategic move capitalizes on growing demand in the German peer-to-peer resale market, where 67% of online shoppers have already sold used items through digital platforms. The partnership carries significant supply chain implications.

DHL plans to expand its network of Packstations, Poststations, and DeinFach lockers from 18,500 to over 30,000 locations by 2030, representing a structural shift toward out-of-home delivery infrastructure. This aligns with broader logistics industry trends favoring automated, pick-your-own-time collection solutions that reduce last-mile delivery costs and carbon footprint. For e-commerce and re-commerce operators, the deal signals that infrastructure investment in automated lockers is accelerating across Europe, with particular momentum in mature markets like Germany where penetration is already high. The initiative also underscores how circular economy business models are reshaping last-mile logistics requirements.

Unlike traditional B2C e-commerce, peer-to-peer resale creates bidirectional shipping flows that benefit from decentralized collection points. With approximately 70% of German second-hand sellers already using parcel shops or lockers, DHL's investment capitalizes on an established consumer behavior pattern rather than forcing new usage. Supply chain teams should monitor how this model, combining automated infrastructure with flexible fulfillment windows, may transfer to other geographies and product categories beyond fashion resale.