FODEL Expands Last-Mile Services Network Across 5 GCC Countries

UAE-based start up FODEL, which offers pick-up and drop-off (PUDO) as an alternative to home delivery for e-commerce parcels, has now expanded its services in five GCC markets.

FODEL was launched in the UAE in 2018 and has been successfully provided PUDO services for e-commerce customers since then.

Now consumers across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman also have the option to collect their e-commerce parcels from a location most convenient to them, any time they want.

The tech startup has also simultaneously launched its operations in four more countries to set up a base across all GCC countries thereby providing a suitable pick-up and drop-off solution for its clients in the region.

FODEL is the region's first last-mile delivery service based on the popular international pick-up and drop-off (PUDO) model.

The tech startup offers a network of pick-up locations as an alternative to home delivery and puts an end to the uncertainty associated with last-mile delivery by making the process simple and convenient.

It turns local merchants into pick up points to enable online shoppers to collect their parcels – any time they want from their local store.

Autonomous Last-Mile Delivery: The Supply Chain's Need of the Hour

Retailers also benefit from increased footfall and revenues from the pick-up, while for e-commerce companies and logistics players it simplifies the last mile delivery and offers a better alternative for online shoppers than home delivery.

According to industry reports, last-mile delivery failure rates range between 15% in the UAE to 40% in Saudi Arabia leading to poor customer satisfaction and lost revenue in a region where online shoppers still pay cash on delivery for a large share of their purchases.

On top of solving this problem, FODEL's scalable solution also helps improve bandwidth during peak seasons such as Ramadan and other festive seasons when logistics partners get overwhelmed with demand.

Through its network of more than 2,000 merchants across KSA, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman, FODEL provides comprehensive geographic coverage offering online shoppers enhanced convenience, control, flexibility and choice over their e-commerce orders.

Soumia Benturquia, CEO & Founder, FODEL, said: “The GCC's e-commerce market has been booming and is expected to reach more than $20 billion worth of sales by the end of this year.

"FODEL is supporting this growth by offering an alternative to home delivery. We have received tremendous demand from our network of clients to expand our reach across the GCC.”

In addition to providing numerous benefits to online shoppers, FODEL also solves a major problem for logistics and e-commerce companies by massively expanding their delivery capacity.

The supply chain also benefits from the significant reduction in return to origin (RTO) deliveries, an issue for shippers and e-tailers which is especially poignant in the GCC markets.

The start-up is funded by several prominent investors and advisors.

Hamdi Osman, a 33-year logistics industry veteran who also serves as FODEL's Chairman, said: “FODEL has transformed the last mile delivery model for the entire logistics landscape in the region.

"Its disruptive technology and proven business model add great value at every step of the supply chain while providing flexibility and peace of mind to the end-users of courier services.”

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