Active Ants has automated warehouses across Europe. We can take care of all logistics: from storage, order picking and shipping to returns management. In Germany, we have hundreds of robots on 10,000 square metres. And thanks to our extensive shipping network, orders are delivered the very next day.
Active Ants has been the fulfilment partner of European e-commerce for more than 10 years. For over 250 clients, we process more than 5 million orders a year. We have an international multi-warehouse network with fulfilment locations in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK and Germany.
✓ 10,000 m²
✓ Robotised warehouse
✓ Ordered today, delivered tomorrow
In Germany, we deliver the next day, just like in the Netherlands and Belgium. We have a contract with Deutsche Post DHL for this, the largest parcel carrier in the country. Thanks to our fulfilment centre in Dorsten, we can deliver even faster because the customer is at our fingertips.
Germany is among the top three largest e-commerce markets in Europe, after the UK and France. In fact, online sales in Germany are still growing at double-digit rates every year. Not only is the German market right next door, it is also five times bigger than the Dutch one. Expanding into Germany therefore offers many opportunities for Dutch retailers. But there are things to look out for if you want to achieve success.
E-commerce in Germany is dominated by marketplaces Amazon and Otto. As a result, German customers expect lightning-fast delivery and excellent service. Fortunately, Active Ants allows you to compete with local players. Thanks to our extensive logistics network, you too can offer next-day delivery, and at low cost.
In Germany, around one in four packages is returned. This is even more than in the Netherlands and makes Germany the returns champion of Europe. The reason is that free returns are the norm in most German webshops. As a Dutch webshop, this can be tricky and cost a lot of money. With Active Ants, you can then also house your return flow, allowing you to focus on your business operations. Especially in Germany, this is no luxury.
In Germany, the strict ‘VerpackG’ packaging law applies. Product packaging you put on the market must also be taken back for recycling. Since this is not always feasible, you can also outsource this to a waste management company. We can help you with this. Moreover, we use as little packaging material as possible. In fact, our packing machines cut boxes perfectly to size. Not only is this more sustainable and cheaper, it also reduces costs for the German packaging law.
Furthermore, privacy laws are stricter in Germany. You are therefore required by law to include a colophon and privacy statement on your website. Finally, as a webshop, you should offer at least one free payment method. Among German shoppers, Paypal is the most popular payment method, followed by post-payment with Klarna or Riverty (formerly Afterpay). Credit cards and SOFORT banking are also widely used.
Active Ants works with the advanced AutoStore system. At our fulfilment centre in Dorsten, hundreds of smart robots move across a framework with stacks of storage bins. This makes order picking fast, efficient and error free. Moreover, your products are stored dust free and theftproof.
Active Ants is not only efficient, but also sustainable. All our fulfilment centres are equipped with packing machines that cut boxes precisely to size. This saves up to 40 percent air in our packages, which in turn reduces the number of van trips and unnecessary padding material. Moreover, you pay less fee for the German packaging law.
Do you sell or produce organic products? Active Ants is Skal certified. So we can store, process and ship your organic products at high speed. So by working with us, you retain your European quality mark.
Want to know more about our fulfilment services in Germany? Then contact Simon without obligation at +44 77 79 47 01 69. He will be happy to tell you more about the possibilities.
