GLS Group acquires French courier network Relais Colis

The GLS Group has announced its acquisition of crucial assets from the French courier network Relais Colis, marking a significant move to bolster its European delivery infrastructure. The deal encompasses Relais Colis's extensive network of nearly 7,000 parcel drop-off points, primarily located in partner retail stores, along with its established brand name.

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We were primarily convinced by the quality of the Relais Colis network: thousands of retail partners, a pioneering brand rooted in the daily lives of the French, and teams who know this industry perfectly.

Youssef Tagemouati, Managing Director of GLS France, stated that the quality of the Relais Colis network, its numerous retail partners, and its well-known brand were key factors in the acquisition. He emphasized that expanding the out-of-home (OOH) delivery network is a core strategy for GLS. This acquisition allows GLS to increase direct consumer touchpoints and cater to the growing demand for flexible, convenient delivery options outside of traditional home delivery.

GLS intends to keep the Relais Colis network accessible to other carriers and retail partners, believing that open network partnerships can enhance consumer convenience. The company highlighted its significant investment in physical and digital OOH infrastructure across Europe, which now exceeds 140,000 parcel points and lockers, a 42% year-on-year increase. This French acquisition further strengthens GLS's presence in the market and supports its pan-European ambitions.

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Expanding the out-of-home network is a key pillar of the strategy at GLS. The acquisition brings GLS closer to consumers through more direct contact points in the out-of-home space, responding to the growing demand for flexible deliveries outside the home.

Relais Colis, established in 1983, struggled under intense competition, leading to its placement under administration by the Bobigny Commercial Court. While GLS France will employ 40 former Relais Colis staff, other parts of the business have been acquired by different entities, including JP Home for bulky item deliveries and Mondial Relay for a sorting facility. The future remains uncertain for many of the 172 employees of the collapsed company.

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By the end of April 2026, our European out-of-home network exceeded 140,000 parcel points and lockers, representing a 42% year-on-year increase. This acquisition strengthens our presence in France and supports our ambitions to offer flexible and convenient delivery solutions across Europe.