Hermes Group

What Hermes Group does

Hermes Group, founded in 1972 as a parcel delivery subsidiary of Otto Versand (70% ownership at founding; fully acquired by Otto in 1982), operates as the logistics arm of the Otto Group and one of Europe's largest B2C parcel carriers. The company serves fashion eCommerce brands, online retailers, mail-order companies, furniture retailers (via Hermes Einrichtungs Service), and private consumers (C2C) across more than 20 European countries, with additional operations in the United States (Hermes NexTec LLC, Chicago), Russia, and the United Kingdom (rebranded as Evri in March 2022). Headquartered in Hamburg and governed by Otto Group's logistics leadership, Hermes runs a substantial physical infrastructure: 17,000+ PaketShop pickup/drop-off locations in Germany, multiple high-throughput sorting and distribution centers (Graben, Bad Rappenau, Mainz, Berlin, Thiendorf, Bremen, Kabelsketal, Langenhagen), and a delivery fleet transitioning to electric and hydrogen propulsion under an SBTi-validated 85% Last-Mile electrification target by FY2031.

The core product portfolio spans parcel shipping (domestic, European, international), global e-commerce services (marketplace integration into European and Chinese platforms, full-service e-commerce shop operation), fulfillment (Hermes Fulfilment warehousing and pick-and-pack), and large-item/furniture delivery. Underlying technology includes Siemens belt-tray sorters, real-time yard management IT, AR-based parcel-size recognition in the consumer mobile app, an AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot ("Bo"), TAN-secured delivery, time-slot notification (Zeitfensterankündigung), and a digital hardware estate of 36,700+ scanners and 13,000+ mobile printers. Revenue is generated transactionally (per-parcel fees scaled by weight, dimensions, and service tier), via managed-services contracts (fulfillment, storage, pick-and-pack), through recurring marketplace integration fees, and via professional services for furniture/installation delivery.

The go-to-market combines direct B2B enterprise sales into fashion and retail accounts, marketplace platform integrations, a self-service consumer portal (myhermes.de), and the dense PaketShop retail-partner network (gas stations, convenience stores). Pricing for C2C was adjusted upward in April 2025 (single-to-double-digit cent increases up to one euro per parcel class), with PaketShop-to-PaketShop shipping carrying a price advantage over home delivery. Strategically, Hermes sits inside Otto Group's vertically-integrated retail-logistics stack, anchored historically by Otto Versand and expanded over five decades to include named enterprise clients (Deutsche Bahn, Tchibo, Schwab, Westfalia, AMC, Horstmann) alongside long-tail SMB and consumer volume.

Name

Hermes Group

Legal name

Hermes Europe GmbH

Website

https://hermesworld.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Hermes Group is a European B2C parcel logistics and fulfillment company (Otto Group subsidiary) operating 17,000+ PaketShops, multiple high-throughput sort centers, and delivery services across 20+ European countries, serving fashion eCommerce retailers, mail-order firms, furniture sellers, and private consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Parcel Delivery & E-Commerce Logistics

NAICS

Local Messengers and Local Delivery (492210), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Warehousing and Storage (493)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Public Warehousing & Storage (4220)

akta.pro primary industry

Recommerce / C2C Marketplace Shipping & Label Services (TLAAAFAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

B2B Heavy/Bulky Last-Mile (Retail-to-Store, Store-to-Store, Jobsite) (TLAAAKAL)

Keywords

• Parcel delivery services
• E-commerce logistics
• Last-mile delivery
• Fulfilment warehousing
• International shipping

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Parcel Delivery Services: Hermes generates revenue through B2C parcel shipping services, both domestic and international. Services include standard parcel delivery, express delivery options, and returns management. Revenue is transactional based on shipment weight, dimensions, and service level.
2. Global E-Commerce Solutions: Comprehensive e-commerce services including marketplace integration, global full-service e-commerce, and cross-border shipping solutions for retailers and brands. Revenue from service fees and transaction-based pricing.
3. Fulfilment Services: Hermes Fulfilment GmbH provides warehousing, order fulfillment, and logistics management for e-commerce businesses. Revenue generated through storage fees, pick-and-pack fees, and shipping cost markups.
4. Enterprise Furniture Delivery: Hermes Einrichtungs Service specializes in furniture and large item delivery and installation services for retail and e-commerce companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hermes Group is a parcel delivery and e-commerce logistics company that provides B2C parcel shipping across 20+ European countries, international and cross-border shipping, warehouse fulfilment, furniture delivery and installation, and marketplace integration services for retailers and brands. Its consumer-facing offering is anchored by Germany's largest PaketShop network of 17,000+ pickup and drop-off locations, complemented by the myhermes.de platform and mobile app. Enterprise offerings include end-to-end global e-commerce, returns management, and large-item delivery services.

Product overview

Hermes Group operates as a diversified logistics and parcel delivery company offering a comprehensive suite of services across the retail value chain. The core product portfolio centers on B2C parcel shipping capabilities spanning international shipping, European shipping, and global e-commerce solutions. These core services are complemented by specialized sub-brands including Hermes Fulfilment (warehouse and fulfillment operations), Hermes NexTec (technology and digital solutions), and Evri (UK operations). The offering architecture combines direct delivery services with a network of over 17,000 PaketShops for flexible pickup/drop-off options, and integrates marketplace connections for cross-border e-commerce. Additional value-added services include the recycled Hermes Retourentasche for sustainable returns, Hermes AltersCheck for age-restricted goods compliance, and TAN-secured delivery for enhanced security.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Evri: UK parcel delivery brand, formerly known as Hermes UK. Rebranded in March 2022 with new logo and brand identity.

Products and services

• International Shipping
• Shipping to Europe
• Global E-Commerce
• Global Full-Service E-Commerce
• Marketplace Integration
• Hermes PaketShops
• Hermes Fulfilment
• Hermes Einrichtungs Service (Furniture Delivery & Installation)
• Hermes NexTec
• Evri (UK Parcel Delivery)

Quantifiable outcome

• Local emissions-free delivery in 80+ German cities by March 2026
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• WILDPLASTICminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to produce the Hermes Retourentasche (return bag) from 'wild' plastic collected from the environment. The recycled return bag combines sustainability and convenience for customers returning online purchases.
• Deutsche BahncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor25-year partnership for luggage shipping services. Deutsche Bahn customers can ship luggage via Hermes, combining rail and parcel delivery services.
• ECE ProjektmanagementcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerECE handled the entire project for new logistics centers - from site search, land purchase, and planning through to turnkey construction. ECE developed a sophisticated prototype available in two sizes for cost-effective deployment.
• NABU (German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on nature-oriented design of logistics site grounds, creating ecological stepping stones at industrial locations. Partnership part of holistic sustainability concept.
• Mercedes-Benz VanscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for deployment of 1,500 Mercedes-Benz electric transporters from 2018. Partnership supports Hermes goal of CO2-neutral inner-city deliveries by 2025.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• DHL Group (Deutsche Post DHL): Germany's largest postal and logistics company and the dominant incumbent in German parcel delivery through DHL Paket and DHL Express. Directly competes with Hermes in B2C and B2B parcel, fulfillment, and cross-border e-commerce, with significantly larger scale and broader service portfolio.
• UPS (United Parcel Service): Global logistics incumbent with significant operations in Germany and Europe. Competes with Hermes in cross-border B2C parcel, international shipping, and supply chain solutions, with broader portfolio including freight and supply chain management.
• FedEx: Global parcel and logistics incumbent competing with Hermes in cross-border B2C parcel, express international shipping, and e-commerce fulfillment. Smaller market share than DHL or DPD in Germany but relevant competitor for international shipments.

Direct peers

• DPD (GeoPost / Le Groupe La Poste): Second-largest parcel delivery network in Germany and across Europe, owned by French postal group La Poste. Direct competitor to Hermes in B2C parcel shipping with similar Pickup parcelshop model and comparable cross-border e-commerce focus.
• GLS (General Logistics Systems): European parcel delivery competitor focused on B2B and B2C shipments across Germany and continental Europe, owned by Royal Mail/IDS. Competes directly with Hermes in standard parcel delivery, returns, and ShopDeliveryService pickup-point network.

Emerging players

• InPost: European parcel locker network operator expanding rapidly in Germany with automated parcel pickup/return points. Competes with Hermes' PaketShop network on convenience and cost, particularly for urban consumers and e-commerce returns.
• Amazon Logistics: Amazon's proprietary last-mile delivery operation that increasingly handles Amazon orders directly rather than via third-party carriers like Hermes. A structural threat to Hermes' e-commerce parcel volumes as Amazon expands its in-house capability across Germany and Europe.

Regional players

• PostNL: Dutch postal and parcel operator serving the Netherlands and parts of Belgium/Germany. Comparable to Hermes in scope (parcel, e-commerce logistics, post) but geographically focused on Benelux, with comparable Pakketten pickup network and e-commerce fulfillment services.
• bpost (Belgian Post): Belgian national postal operator with parcel and e-commerce logistics services. Comparable business model to Hermes in domestic parcel delivery, cross-border e-commerce, and postal/retail network, though primarily focused on Belgium and selected European markets.

Others

• SEKO Logistics: Global logistics provider specializing in e-commerce fulfillment, cross-border shipping, and last-mile delivery. Comparable to Hermes in serving fashion and lifestyle e-commerce brands with international expansion needs, particularly via marketplace integration and returns management.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/hermeseurope
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hermes-nextec-llc
• Xx.com/Hermes_Presse
• Facebookfacebook.com/Hermesparcels

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hermes Group