GLS Group strengthens its out-of-home service in Europe with the acquisition of Relais Colis parcel shop network in France
Toulouse, May 22 2026
- GLS strengthens its out-of-home (OOH) offering in France through the acquisition of the Relais Colis parcel shop network
- Integration of nearly 7,000 parcel shops strengthens capacity and service quality to meet growing demand for flexible OOH delivery
- Supports GLS Group’s OOH strategy by scaling parcel shops and lockers for long-term e-commerce growth and evolving customer expectations
GLS, a leading parcel service provider with a presence in Europe and North America, is strengthening its out-of-home delivery offering in one of its key markets through the acquisition of Relais Colis by GLS France. The acquisition includes Relais Colis’ core assets, including its nearly 7,000-location parcel shop network (partner retailers) and the well-known Relais Colis brand.
The acquisition brings GLS closer to consumers through more direct OOH touchpoints, meeting growing demand for flexible out-of-home delivery. GLS intends to keep the Relais Colis network open to other carriers and retail partners, recognizing that open network partnerships can enhance consumer convenience. As delivery expectations continue to evolve, GLS’ investment in service-led physical and digital OOH infrastructure positions the company to scale across Europe and deliver a smoother, more accessible customer experience.
Youssef Tagemouati, Managing Director of GLS France, said: "What convinced us above all was the quality of the Relais Colis network: thousands of partner merchants, a pioneering brand rooted in the daily lives of the French, and teams that know this business perfectly. With this operation, we are taking a decisive step. Our ambition is to make GLS France the leading logistics partner to sustainably support the growth of e-commerce in France.”
Karl Pfaff, Chief Executive Officer of GLS Group, added: "Expanding our out-of-home network is a key pillar of our strategy at GLS. By the end of April 2026, our European OOH network exceeded 140,000 parcel shops and lockers, representing year-on-year growth of 42%. This acquisition strengthens our presence in France and supports our ambition to offer flexible and convenient delivery solutions across Europe."
This acquisition is another step in GLS Group’s strategy to expand its out-of-home network across Europe, scaling parcel shops and lockers to support long-term e-commerce growth and evolving customer expectations. France is a key market, and this acquisition reinforces the Group’s long-term commitment to strengthening its position and service offering in the country.
GLS France has been selected as the preferred bidder to acquire Relais Colis’ parcel shop network (partner retailers). The transaction will be carried out in compliance with applicable merger control regulations and is expected to close in summer 2026.
About GLS
GLS Group is one of Europe’s leading providers of parcel shipping, transport, and delivery, with strong local market expertise in almost every country on the continent. It also operates through wholly owned subsidiaries in Canada and on the US West Coast within a single GLS network.
This structure enables GLS to connect its customers and communities with millions of parcels and stories every day, with full transparency. Through its international network, GLS can link its markets flexibly and agilely to meet their dynamic, fast-changing nature.
The company is proud to deliver high-quality service that best meets its customers’ needs in more than fifty countries.
The GLS network relies on approximately 120 hubs and 1,600 depots, supported by more than 36,000 light vehicles, vans, and dedicated last-mile couriers, and around 6,500 trucks. This ensures network resilience, superior flexibility, and broad reach.
For fiscal year 2024/2025, GLS achieved record revenue of EUR 5.9 billion and delivered 926 million parcels across its markets. For more information, visit
www.gls-group.com
About Relais Colis
Founded in 1969 (originally as SOGEP), Relais Colis pioneered out-of-home delivery in France, creating the Relais Colis concept in local convenience stores in 1983 as an alternative to home delivery. Over the years, the company has continued to innovate, including faster delivery services and appointment-based home delivery options. Today, Relais Colis delivers small parcels weighing less than 30 kilos to 7,000 collection points across France and also enables customers to have large, bulky items, such as furniture, delivered directly to their homes.
GLS Group Media Contact
press@gls-group.com