Parcel business profits from e-commerce

Revenue in the Parcel Germany business unit was €650 million in the first quarter of 2010 and thus well above the previous year’s high figure of €623 million. The increase can be attributed to the growing e-commerce market, although traditional mail-order companies are still suffering from the crisis. In private customer business, volumes were up significantly.

Parcel Germany: volumes
parcels (millions)
	Q1 2009	Q1 2010	+/– %
Business customer parcels1)	159	161	1.3
Private customer parcels	27	28	3.7
Total	186	189	1.6

Retail outlet revenue near prior-year level

Revenue generated by our some 17,000 outlets and sales points reached €196 million, which is almost on par with the prior year’s figure of €198 million.

International mail business sees operating revenue growth

In the Global Mail business unit, revenue decreased from €433 million to €423 million in the reporting period. This primarily resulted from the sale of DHL Global Mail Services SAS in France, which reduced revenue by €20 million, as well as exchange rate losses of €4 million. We saw encouraging revenue growth in our international operating mail business, especially in the US. In our traditional import and export business, however, we observed that customers are becoming more price sensitive due to the economic crisis.

Mail International: volumes
mail items (millions)
	Q1 2009	Q1 2010	+/– %
Global Mail	1,615	1,577	–2.4

Earnings slightly below prior-year level

In the first quarter of 2010, EBIT fell from €407 million to €388 million. Nonrecurring expenses of €2 million were incurred for restructuring. Through strict cost management, we were able to largely offset the loss in revenue from the sale of DHL Global Mail Services SAS in France and the economic crisis as well as increases in wages and costs.

Operating cash flow was €–13 million (previous year: €–96 million). Annual payments to Bundes-Pensions-Service für Post und Telekommunikation routinely affect this figure each year in the first quarter. Return on sales amounted to 11.3%.