Retail News CRM

Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • China pressures Shein against shifting its supply chain

    China pressures Shein against shifting its supply chain

    Fast-fashion retailer Shein is facing opposition from the Chinese government over its plans to shift some production out of the country, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

    China’s Ministry of Commerce has reached out to Shein and other companies, advising them against diversifying supply chains by sourcing from other countries, one person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg News.

    Bloomberg News said it wasn’t immediately clear which other firms were contacted by the commerce ministry.

    The requests came in the run-up to US President Donald Trump’s announcement on reciprocal tariffs that have sent firms scrambling for alternative ways to avoid additional import levies, the person told Bloomberg News.

    Shein did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the report.

    Trump’s harsher-than-expected tariffs have roiled markets globally, wiping trillions of dollars in value across assets, and elicited strong rebuke from China and additional tariffs of 34 per cent on all US goods.

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  • McDonald’s renews 20-year franchise deal in the Philippines

    McDonald’s renews 20-year franchise deal in the Philippines

    McDonald’s has renewed its 20-year master franchise agreement in the Philippines, extending its partnership with Golden Arches Development Corporation (GADC) until 2045.

    Under the new agreement, the company retains exclusive rights to own, develop, operate and sub-franchise McDonald’s restaurants nationwide.

    GADC, led by founder and chairman George Yang, has operated the fast food giant’s Philippine business since opening the first McDonald’s store in 1981.

    The chain operates 792 stores in the Philippines, with the majority in the National Capital Region.

    Reflecting on the franchise’s early days, Yang recalled applying for the rights in the late 1970s.

    “I confidently said 10 stores,” he continued. “This year, we’ll be opening our 800th store.”

    McDonald’s Philippines has introduced several firsts to the local quick-service restaurant sector. It was the first in the country to launch an online delivery platform in 2009, followed by the McDelivery app in 2014.

    The brand was also an early adopter of third-party delivery aggregators such as Grab and Foodpanda, where it is now one of the largest merchants.

    Last year, McDelivery accounted for 19 per cent of the company’s total sales.

    Kenneth Yang, GADC president and CEO, said digital transformation has played a key role in McDonald’s growth in the market.

    “These platforms have helped scale the business and improved how we operate,” he said.

    “We are not stopping here. Our teams constantly work on new opportunities driven by evolving customer preferences and behaviours.”

    GADC is 51 percent owned by the Yang family, with the remaining 49 percent held by Alliance Global Group Inc, chaired by tycoon Andrew Tan.

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  • Etihad Cargo, DoH and RAFED highlight Abu Dhabi’s commitment to become a global pharma and life science distribution hub at LogiPharma 2025

    Etihad Cargo, DoH and RAFED highlight Abu Dhabi’s commitment to become a global pharma and life science distribution hub at LogiPharma 2025

    Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, will attend LogiPharma 2025, taking place from 8–10 April, Centre de Congrès de Lyon, France. As a leading voice in pharmaceutical airfreight, the carrier will be joined at booths 84 and 85 by strategic partners Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health and RAFED, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s goal to become a global pharmaceutical and life science distribution hub.

    “Leveraging Abu Dhabi’s strategic location at the gateway to the MENA region, we are offering advanced infrastructure with easy access to regional and global markets. We’re not just offering airfreight, Etihad Cargo has deepened its focus on creating a smarter, more responsive cold chain for pharma customers worldwide, enabling an end-to-end, temperature-controlled ecosystem in collaboration with regulators, manufacturers and supply chain partners.” Said Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer.

    The collaboration with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health and RAFED, the region’s leading healthcare procurement and logistics platform, is in line with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. The partnership is a pivotal step in Abu Dhabi’s ongoing efforts to become a leading healthcare destination in the global healthcare landscape.

    Faisal Haji, Division Director Health Sector Innovation Department at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, commented: “Through our collaboration with Etihad Cargo and RAFED at LogiPharma 2025, we are reinforcing DoH’s commitment to reshaping the region’s healthcare landscape. Our ambition is to cultivate a healthcare ecosystem where patients can benefit from the most advanced treatments and innovations in medical technology. By developing a dynamic hub for healthcare and life sciences distribution, we aim to improve patient outcomes and elevate the standard of care across the region.”

    Samer Al Zamil, Chief Commercial Officer at RAFED, added: “Together with Etihad Cargo and the Department of Health, we are building a trusted supply chain that supports not just the UAE, but the broader region and global healthcare community. LogiPharma is a platform for showcasing what true collaboration across public and private sectors can achieve.”

    Etihad Cargo’s award-winning PharmaLife product, certified under IATA CEIV Pharma, ensures the safe and reliable transport of temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, vaccines and biologics through advanced tracking, thermal mapping and real-time monitoring technologies.

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  • Thai rice prices hit over three-year low

    Thai rice prices hit over three-year low

    Prices of rice shipped from Thailand declined to an over three-year low this week due to US President Donald Trump’s move to impose import tariffs and an existing market surplus.

    Meanwhile, India’s rice export prices neared a two-year low on subdued demand. The US announced to impose a flat 26% tariff on all goods being exported by India to the US, a 36% tariff on goods from Thailand, and 37% on Bangladeshi products.

    Thailand’s 5% broken rice fell to $395-400 per tonne, its lowest since January 2022.

    Meanwhile, India’s 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $392-400 per tonne and fell to its lowest level in nearly 22 months on subdued demand from African buyers amid ample supplies. Indian 5% broken white rice was priced at $380 – 385 per tonne this week.

    Overseas buyers incurred losses due to the sharp drop in prices over the last few weeks, so they are cautious about new purchases, said Himanshu Agrawal, executive director at Satyam Balajee, a leading rice exporter.

    According to traders, Vietnam’s 5% broken rice was offered at $405-410 per tonne.

    A Ho Chi Minh City-based trader said that prices edged up as the major winter-spring harvest is almost over. The Trump administration’s new tariffs will not have any direct impacts on rice exports from Vietnam.

    Traders said domestic prices are also rising, led by prices of fragrant rice.

    Meanwhile, domestic rice prices in Bangladesh stayed elevated despite efforts to import the grain, hitting consumers hard.

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  • DHL Group and Temu sign Memorandum of Understanding to support local businesses

    DHL Group and Temu sign Memorandum of Understanding to support local businesses

    DHL Group, the world’s leading logistics company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the e-commerce marketplace Temu to deepen their cooperation and to further expand their successful partnership. The agreement aims to enhance collaboration to better support local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in established markets as well as in growth markets, such as Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Both parties are committed to fostering compliant trade and sustainable practices.

    DHL Group will support Temu through its logistics expertise, including multimodal transportation solutions, to provide more efficient and sustainable supply chain services. With its dense network and global presence, DHL Group is the ideal partner to support Temu’s growth in both established and new markets.

    “Through our various DHL divisions, we are already providing a wide range of logistics services and solutions, including air freight and last-mile delivery. We are excited to elevate our partnership with Temu to the next level. By combining our logistics capabilities with Temu’s innovative platform, we can create more efficient, compliant and convenient solutions that benefit both consumers and local businesses in the markets we serve,” states Katja Busch, CCO and Head of DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation.

    As part of the Memorandum of Understanding, DHL Group will utilize its logistics expertise to support Temu’s operations in Europe, including its local-to-local model, which enables local merchandise partners to sell on its platform and supports local fulfillment. Temu expects up to 80% of its total sales in Europe to come from this local-to-local model. Additionally, the e-commerce platform will enable European-based sellers to reach global markets in the future. This allows, in particular, SMEs to scale and expand their businesses. DHL will also assist Temu in growing its presence in e-commerce markets, including the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) regions.

    “This letter of intent marks a significant step in our partnership with DHL Group. Its extensive network and logistics capabilities will help support our mission to increase consumer access to affordable products and help increase growth opportunities for sellers,” states Qin Sun, co-founder of Temu.

  • Thailand proposes China facilitate durian export

    Thailand proposes China facilitate durian export

    The Commerce Ministry of Thailand has recently requested the China Customs to extend the working hours at the Mohan checkpoint on the border with Laos to facilitate durian inspections.

    Specifically, the closing time will be changed from 5.30pm to 8.30pm, according to Deputy Minister Napintorn Srisunpang.

    Chinese authorities will also increase the number of inspection laboratories from three to five, adding more officials to streamline the process at this checkpoint, Napintorn said.

    He revealed that discussions with customs officials at multiple checkpoints indicated that Thai durian is free from contamination by Basic Yellow 2 (BY2) dye or cadmium.

    Previously, only 30% of durian imports underwent testing, but since January all containers must be checked for BY2 and cadmium contamination by certified laboratories in Thailand, plus face complete inspection upon arrival at Chinese borders.

    Napintorn said this heightened scrutiny has resulted in delays, with transport times stretching up to eight days. Concerns have been raised that during peak seasons, the inspection process could extend to as long as 10 days, potentially resulting in delivery times of up to 20 days, which may compromise quality and negatively impact sales of Thai durian.

    Due to expanded cultivation and improved yields, durian production is anticipated to rise by 37% year-on-year in 2025, reaching over 1.7 million tonnes, up from 1.2 million tonnes in 2024.

    Last year, domestic consumption was at 280,000 tonnes with 800,000 tonnes exported, 97% of which went to China. This year, exports are projected to increase to 1.3 million tonnes, while domestic consumption is expected to grow to 400,000 tonnes.

  • Vietnam eyes to begin high-speed rail construction in 2026

    Vietnam eyes to begin high-speed rail construction in 2026

    Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered the Ministry of Construction to expedite procedures to commence construction of the North-South high-speed railway project by the end of next year.

    According to a government release on Saturday, the PM wants the bidding mechanism completed this month so the National Assembly can review it for approval next month.

    This would push the construction date one year earlier than the original plan.

    The railway, one of Vietnam’s most ambitious transportation projects in this decade, was approved for investment by the National Assembly in November last year with a preliminary cost of approximately VND1.7 quadrillion (US$67 billion).

    The 1,541-km route will start at in Hanoi and end in Ho Chi Minh City, passing through 20 localities.

    It will be designed for speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour. It includes 23 passenger stations and 5 freight stations.

    The government also eyes to start building the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Lang Son railway in December. It will be a key project linking the capital with China-bordering provinces.

    Concerning another northern rail project, Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong, officials are set to negotiate with their Chinese counterparts next month and a loan agreement is expected to be signed in November.

    The government has also tasked Hanoi and HCMC with reviewing their plans to build and acquire loans for more metro routes.

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  • Bangkok declares end of disaster situation

    Bangkok declares end of disaster situation

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Center has issued an official announcement, stating that the disaster situation in the metropolitan area caused by an earthquake has now ended.

    All areas in the city are no longer disaster zonas, except for the area around the construction site of the new State Audit Office (SAO) building on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, Chatuchak district, the statement said on April 3.

    The center stated that although the overall disaster situation in Bangkok has returned to normal, search and rescue operations are still ongoing at the collapsed building. Officials from various agencies, including rescue workers, structural engineers, and medical teams, are continuing rescue efforts using modern equipment and technology to minimize risks to the personnel involved.

    The center explained that the operation area has been divided into zones, with task forces mobilized to search for those who may still be trapped inside. Drones are being used to survey from above, and special equipment is being employed to detect life signs.

    Additionally, a team of experts specializing in rescue operations in collapsed areas has been deployed to assist in the mission.

    The BMA urged the public to refrain from approaching the construction site to ensure safety and avoid hindering the work of the rescue teams. The public is also advised to closely follow updates from the relevant authorities and adhere to official guidance.

    Individuals affected or with relevant information can contact the appropriate agencies for assistance, the BMA added.

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  • Samsonite reopens at Hong Kong’s IFC mall with pop-up cafe concept

    Samsonite reopens at Hong Kong’s IFC mall with pop-up cafe concept

    Samsonite has reopened its flagship store at Hong Kong’s IFC Mall with the launch of a limited-time pop-up cafe.

    Running until April 20, the Samsonite Cafe offers visitors a curated space to explore the brand’s sustainability initiatives in a lifestyle-driven setting.

    The cafe aims to complement the newly renovated outlet, which showcases the brand’s first dedicated sustainability-led design.

    As part of the activation, customers can enjoy complimentary coffee by registering as a Samsonite member at the pop-up store, or with any purchase made at the Samsonite IFC Mall store upon registering. Lifetime, Black, Platinum, and Gold Club members are eligible for complimentary coffee without any purchase.

    Constructed using FSC-certified plywood and low-emission gypsum board, the store features display podiums and wall panels made from repurposed luggage shell edges and leftover backpack fabric.

    To further lower its carbon footprint, more than 75 per cent of the renovation waste was sorted for recycling and processed by certified partners.

    The store also incorporates motion-sensor LED lighting and enhanced air quality systems in line with global retail standards.

    “Our inaugural sustainability concept at IFC Mall underscores our commitment to eco-friendly practices,” the company said.

    “This approach exemplifies our belief that sustainability can redefine the retail experience and transform the lifestyle bag and luggage industry.”

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  • Guess to transfer Chinese operations to local partner

    Guess to transfer Chinese operations to local partner

    Guess plans to transfer its operations in Greater China to a local partner this year as part of its restructuring strategy.

    “After many years of running our own direct operations in Greater China, we believe there is an opportunity for this market to be directly developed and managed by a local, highly experienced partner,” said CEO Carlos Alberini.

    “We have already met several potential candidates for consideration and we expect for this transition to be completed before the end of this fiscal year.”

    In addition, the retailer plans to streamline its Guess full-price store portfolio in North America by exiting non-strategic, unprofitable locations.

    Alberini explained that the company is focusing on increasing direct-to-consumer sales productivity globally and improving profitability through business and portfolio optimisation.

    For the fourth quarter ended February 1, Guess reported a 5 per cent increase in revenues to $932.3 million, driven by the Rag & Bone acquisition, positive momentum in the wholesale business, and increased licensing revenues.

    In the Americas, retail sales were up 4 per cent while wholesale revenues soared 63 per cent. Europe revenues increased 2 per cent and Asia revenues fell 15 per cent. Licensing revenues were up 18 per cent.

    GAAP net earnings for the period dropped 29 per cent to $81.4 million, including a net $18.9 million unrealised loss due to the change in fair value of the derivatives related to the company’s convertible senior notes due 2028.

    For the full year, sales grew 8 per cent to $3 billion and adjusted net earnings decreased 40 per cent to $104.5 million.

    “During the year, we delivered solid results with our licensing segment and our wholesale businesses in Europe and the Americas, but missed our plans for our direct-to-consumer business due to slower customer traffic in North America and Asia,” commented Alberini.

    For FY26, the retailer expects net revenues to increase 3.9-6.2 per cent. It forecast a loss of $30-35 million in the first quarter and earnings of $133-165 million for the full year.

    In a separate announcement, Guess said its board has established a special committee to review the non-binding takeover offer from WHP Global.

    “The special committee is carefully evaluating and considering WHP Global’s proposal with the assistance of its financial and legal advisors and has not yet determined whether it is appropriate to pursue the proposed transaction or any other transaction,” the company stated.

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  • Apple wants to make MacBook lids stronger and safer

    Apple wants to make MacBook lids stronger and safer

    Ever since Apple silicon elevated the MacBook lineup from just pretty laptops to actually very powerful ones they have become a fan favorite of the industry. Since then the MacBook has seen marginal performance upgrades each year but Apple is now considering improving another aspect of its laptops: the lids.

    The MacBook Air and MacBook Pro make use of magnets in their lids to detect when it is closed or open and to keep it closed securely when it’s the former. Apple has filed a patent that alleges that these magnets produce stray magnetic fields even when not in use. The company says that these magnetic fields have the potential to damage nearby items and cited credit cards as possible victims.

    Apple then goes on to describe a new magnetic system that it wants to develop for its MacBook lineup. The new proposed magnetic array will in essence be an electromagnetic system. Apple says that the magnets can be, in very simple terms, switched on or off depending on whether they are needed at the moment.

    The biggest benefit seems to be that the magnetic array won’t produce stray magnetic fields when the MacBook lid is open. Apple may also be able to incorporate much stronger magnets to more reliably keep the lid closed without fear of damaging nearby items when the lid is open.

    The current magnetic array found in MacBook models is not really that strong that it would fry your credit card. So at first I thought this was a very unnecessary upgrade that Apple is thinking about. But the possibility of stronger magnets to keep the lid closed would definitely give the MacBook an even more premium feel.

    Many people who switch from a Windows laptop to a MacBook often mention how much more premium the latter feels. And while more expensive Windows laptops obviously feel more premium too, Apple has a reputation for classy products that it tries very hard to keep. As such the new proposed magnetic array could, in my opinion, give that reputation another slight boost.

    This is just a patent for now but it’s definitely a lot more easily achievable than so many of the more fantastical patents we see every day.

  • United Airlines expands Asia network with new flights to Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines

    United Airlines expands Asia network with new flights to Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines

    The United Airlines plans to add daily flights to Vietnam and Thailand in October, further expanding the network for the U.S.-based carrier that already has the most Asia service, reported CNBC.

    In the expansion, its airplanes from Los Angeles and San Francisco that are headed for Hong Kong will then go on to the two new destinations: Thailand’s Bangkok and Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, with service set to begin on Oct. 26.

    On Oct. 25, United Airlines plans to add a second daily nonstop flight from San Francisco to Manila, the Philippines, and on Dec. 11, it will launch nonstops from San Francisco to Adelaide, Australia, which will operate three days a week.

    The news site noted that the carrier has been adding far-flung destinations not served by rivals to its routes, like Nuuk, Greenland, and Bilbao, Spain, which will start later this year. Getting the mix right is especially important as carriers seek to grow their lucrative loyalty programs and need attractive destinations to keep customers spending.

  • Emirates launches Emirates Courier Express, promising to treat packages like passengers

    Emirates launches Emirates Courier Express, promising to treat packages like passengers

    Backed by almost four decades’ experience in keeping goods and people moving all over the world, Emirates has launched Emirates Courier Express, an end-to-end delivery solution that is set to redefine the express delivery experience.

    To ensure Emirates Courier Express addressed industry-wide challenges, Emirates worked with various global customers to pilot and finesse the product, with the goal to make it as fast, reliable and flexible as possible, before launching to market. Over the last year, Emirates Courier Express transported several thousands of packages from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, South Africa and the UK. The average delivery time is less than 48 hours. Now, Emirates Courier Express is open for business, for businesses.

    Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo said, “Emirates Courier Express is an evolution in how we move goods across the globe, at speed and at scale. Building on our world-class and well-established infrastructure, and reimagining traditional logistics processes where necessary, this innovative solution does not just meet the Emirates Gold Standard of reliability and excellence but sets a new benchmark for what’s possible. This is only the beginning of our vision to continuously innovate and lead the charge in the express delivery sector.”

    Traditionally, cross-border delivery is managed via a global hub-and-spoke model, with a package making multiple stops before arriving at its end destination. Emirates Courier Express has broken this mould. Just like passengers, packages will travel from origin to destination directly, leveraging the breadth of Emirates’ vast global network and near-unparalleled flight frequencies. This approach significantly reduces time in transit, reduces package handling and offers Emirates Courier Express customers’ a competitive edge in getting their goods to end users. Direct connectivity is matched with different service levels, ranging from next day urgent delivery to a two-day Premium service, along with a pipeline of innovative new products.

    At launch, Emirates Courier Express will be active and available in seven markets, however the potential network growth is unlimited: wherever Emirates flies, Emirates Courier Express can deliver. Expansion to additional markets is already in the works.

    Harnessing the fleet of the world’s largest international airline, Emirates Courier Express has access to over 250 all widebody passenger and freighter aircraft to move packages worldwide. Complemented by a trusted, reliable and integrated cross border network of partners to manage the customs clearance and first and last mile transportation, the solution delivers door-to-door. This integration into the airline’s existing infrastructure allows Emirates Courier Express to handle volume fluctuations from seasonal spikes while maintaining cost stability, ultimately empowering customers to plan and budget with confidence.

    This seamless integration also enables Emirates Courier Express to provide bespoke and tailored solutions, whether transporting fashion and mobile phones or the most critical medical equipment. A team of dedicated specialists provide niche segment solutions, facilitated by the airline’s extensive freight and logistics infrastructure, including cool chain capacity, allowing the transportation of specialist or sensitive products from launch.

    Prioritising ease of business, Emirates Courier Express’ is entirely digital, with a purpose-built tech platform integrating directly into customer software and supports additional bespoke shipping solutions. Advanced tracking systems, real-time updates, and seamless integration, ensures complete efficiency, reliability, quality, and transparency from collection to delivery across the world.

    Dennis Lister, Senior Vice President of Product and Innovation, Emirates SkyCargo said, “Emirates Courier Express is the result of challenging the status quo. Along with the industry, we watched the increasing volumes of cross border shipping and challenged ourselves to find a better way to transport these goods faster and more efficiently. The new product launch reflects our ongoing commitment to push the boundaries to introduce innovations which drive real impact and ensure our customers always have access to the fastest, most reliable and cost-effective solutions available.”

  • Neste empowers DB Schenker to boost adoption of Neste MY Renewable Diesel in Singapore and Asia-Pacific

    Neste empowers DB Schenker to boost adoption of Neste MY Renewable Diesel in Singapore and Asia-Pacific

    Neste and DB Schenker, one of the world’s leading logistics service providers, have collaborated to work towards expanding DB Schenker’s adoption of Neste MY Renewable Diesel™ in Asia-Pacific. This partnership underscores the shared commitment of both companies to progress towards lower-emission logistics.

    Both companies embarked on a trial which took place from December 2024 to February 2025, in which Neste MY Renewable Diesel was used in Singapore for the first time to power DB Schenker’s land transport operations. As Neste MY Renewable Diesel is a direct replacement for fossil diesel and suitable for all diesel engines, the switch did not require additional investment or modifications to vehicle engines or fuel distribution infrastructure.

    The land transport sector accounts for about 15% of carbon emissions in Singapore. With the use of Neste MY Renewable Diesel, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be reduced by up to 90% over the life cycle of the product compared to using fossil diesel, effectively demonstrating the feasibility of adopting this lower-emission solution to help DB Schenker reduce its land transport emissions.

    “This collaboration with DB Schenker marks the first time Neste MY Renewable Diesel has been used for road transport in Singapore, and it demonstrates the crucial role that this renewable solution can play in DB Schenker’s sustainability journey. We are committed to expanding our collaboration in Singapore and beyond with DB Schenker, and contribute towards a lower-emission logistics sector,” said Ee Pin Lee, Head of Commercial APAC, Renewable Products at Neste.

    “DB Schenker is committed to conducting its business with the smallest possible ecological footprint. In support of this commitment, we have agreed on expanding the adoption of Neste MY Renewable Diesel. We hope to transform our whole industry together with our partners and customers with the use of renewable diesel as a viable solution for decarbonizing our land transport operations in the region,” said Christoph Matthes, Senior Vice President, Head of Land Transport in APAC at DB Schenker.

    Neste and DB Schenker have already been working successfully together in Finland, where DB Schenker has used Neste MY Renewable Diesel in its light distribution vehicles in the cities of Helsinki and Turku. Neste has partnered with DB Schenker also to pilot high-power charging service for heavy-duty vehicles in Finland.

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  • DHL Group acquires CRYOPDP from Cryoport to strengthen “DHL Health Logistics”

    DHL Group acquires CRYOPDP from Cryoport to strengthen “DHL Health Logistics”

    DHL Group (“DHL”), the world’s leading logistics provider, and Cryoport, Inc. (“Cryoport”), a global provider of supply chain solutions for the life sciences sector, are pleased to announce that DHL has acquired 100% of CRYOPDP, a leading specialty courier focused on clinical trials, biopharma, and cell and gene therapies. In this context, the companies also announced a strategic partnership to strengthen their supply chain service offerings for the global life sciences and healthcare sector.

    DHL Group already has an established Life Sciences and Healthcare business, contributing over EUR 5 billion in global revenue in 2024. Building on this foundation, the acquisition of CRYOPDP marks a significant step in DHL’s commitment to enhancing its capabilities in specialized pharma logistics and expanding the breadth of its offering in the rapidly growing life science and healthcare sector.CRYOPDP specializes in providing white-glove courier services essential to the sectors it serves. With operations in 15 countries, CRYOPDP handles over 600,000 shipments per year, servicing customers and patients in over 135 countries worldwide.

    Going forward, DHL Supply Chain will further build the potential of its Pharma Specialized Network solution by leveraging the specialty courier expertise of newly acquired CRYOPDP and the global air capabilities of DHL Express and DHL Global Forwarding.

    The strategic partnership with Cryoport will bring together DHL’s global health logistics capabilities with Cryoport’s industry-leading expertise in providing specialized solutions in a fast-growing life science and healthcare market segment. It also deepens DHL’s relationship with all the Cryoport business units with respect to specialized pharma.

    Oscar de Bok, CEO of DHL Supply Chain, stated, “The acquisition of CRYOPDP is a pivotal move for our supply chain business as we aim to expand our Pharma Specialized Network to meet the evolving needs of clinical trials, biopharma and cell & gene therapies, in addition to further increasing our footprint in the conventional pharma and life science healthcare segment. The acquisition of CRYOPDP and the extended partnership with Cryoport Inc. will enable us to deliver integrated end-to-end solutions, enhancing our service capabilities.”

    Jerrell Shelton, CEO of Cryoport, commented, “We are indeed pleased to build on our trusted relationship with the DHL Group. Working together we will bring an enhanced set of supply chain solutions to meet companies’ and patients’ critical supply chain needs. This strategic partnership taps into the strong expertise of DHL’s Supply Chain and CRYOPDP, presenting a substantial opportunity for Cryoport to further expand its reach to global growth markets such as Asia Pacific (APAC) and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).”

    The acquisition aligns with DHL Group’s Strategy 2030, which emphasizes the importance of temperature-controlled networks, first and last mile specialty courier coverage and integrated solutions. CRYOPDP’s capabilities will be instrumental in achieving these objectives and help position DHL as a leader in providing comprehensive solutions for the pharma industry. This strategic move is also expected to yield cost savings and improve overall service levels, especially leveraging DHL Express and DHL Global Forwarding air capabilities, ultimately enhancing DHL’s footprint in the high-value advanced pharma sector.

    For Cryoport, the partnership with DHL will enable it to better execute its business in EMEA and APAC with a stronger focus on its core business in these regions, creating even greater opportunities to offer highly targeted, top-tier services in answering market demand for its services and products.

    The deal and the outlined partnership are subject to regulatory approvals.

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