DHL-Evri Merger: What It Means for Ecommerce Sellers?
The DHL eCommerce UK Evri merger is no longer a proposed transaction. The Competition and Markets Authority cleared the deal unconditionally on 4 September 2025, and the merger officially completed on 1 October 2025.
The enlarged business now operates as Evri Group, bringing together Evri, the former DHL eCommerce UK network, UK Mail, Coll-8 and other ecommerce logistics services.
For ecommerce businesses, the significance goes beyond a change in ownership. Evri Group now offers a wider mix of economical parcel delivery, premium and high-value shipping, business mail, international delivery, fulfilment and customs services.
By July 2026, the enlarged group was handling more than one billion parcels a year, reaching that milestone around three years earlier than previously planned.
What Happened With The DHL eCommerce UK And Evri Merger?
Evri announced an agreement with DHL Group on 14 May 2025 to acquire DHL eCommerce UK. Instead of DHL simply selling its UK ecommerce parcel operation and walking away, the transaction was structured so DHL Group would also receive a minority interest in Evri.
The CMA’s Evri and DHL merger case records the transaction as Evri acquiring DHL eCommerce UK while DHL Group acquired a minority stake in Evri.
The CMA’s detailed decision provides an even clearer picture. Evri agreed to acquire 100% of the voting rights in DHL Parcel UK Holding Limited, the holding company for DHL eCommerce UK.
The precise percentage of DHL Group’s resulting minority stake in Evri was redacted from the published decision for commercial confidentiality reasons.
This distinction matters because it means the transaction was not simply a traditional merger of two equal businesses. Evri gained control of the DHL eCommerce UK operation, while DHL retained a strategic economic relationship with the combined business.
DHL Express was not included in the transaction. It remains owned and controlled by DHL Group.
DHL-Evri Merger Timeline
The regulatory process took several months between the original announcement and completion.
| Date | Development |
| 14 May 2025 | Evri and DHL Group announced the proposed transaction |
| 21 May 2025 | Evri announced its acquisition of Irish customs and logistics company Coll-8 |
| 11 June 2025 | CMA opened its invitation to comment |
| 25 June 2025 | CMA invitation to comment closed |
| 29 July 2025 | Formal Phase 1 merger inquiry launched |
| 4 September 2025 | CMA unconditionally cleared the transaction |
| 5 September 2025 | Full CMA decision published under case ME/2253/25 |
| 1 October 2025 | Merger officially completed and Evri Group formed |
| 13 July 2026 | Evri Group confirmed annual parcel volumes had exceeded one billion |
| 25 August 2026 | Group announced more than 10,000 recruitment opportunities as it targets 1.4 billion parcels annually by 2030 |
The CMA case is officially closed with the outcome recorded as Phase 1 clearance.
Why Did The CMA Approve The Merger?
The regulator examined whether combining the companies could substantially reduce competition in UK parcel delivery.
Its investigation focused particularly on:
- Next-Day B2C Small Parcels
- Standard B2C Small Parcels
- Out-Of-Home Parcel Delivery
The CMA concluded that Evri and DHL eCommerce UK were not especially close competitors in several important parts of the market.
Evri was more focused on high volumes of lower-weight and lower-value parcels. DHL eCommerce UK had traditionally been stronger in heavier, higher-value and premium deliveries.
The CMA also found that alternatives including Royal Mail, DPD, InPost/Yodel, UPS, Amazon Shipping and others would continue to provide competitive pressure.
For next-day B2C services, the CMA estimated Evri had a 10% to 20% share by value in 2024 and DHL eCommerce UK had 5% to 10%. Their combined estimated share was therefore 20% to 30%, with DPD and Royal Mail remaining significant competitors.
For standard B2C deliveries, Evri was considerably larger but DHL eCommerce UK’s presence was relatively small. For out-of-home services, the CMA also decided the combined position would not remove enough competition to warrant intervention.
Another important point for smaller ecommerce businesses was that the CMA found the vast majority of SME customers it consulted had neutral or positive views about the transaction, with some seeing advantages in having a broader combined service offering.
The regulator therefore found no realistic prospect of a substantial lessening of competition and did not refer the transaction for a Phase 2 investigation.
Why Was Evri In A Position To Acquire DHL eCommerce UK?
The ownership story behind Evri helps explain the speed of its expansion.
Apollo-managed investment funds acquired Evri from Advent International and Otto Group in August 2024. Financial terms were not officially disclosed by Apollo, although Reuters reported that the transaction valued Evri at approximately £2.7 billion.
That acquisition placed Evri under an owner with substantial experience in transportation, logistics and large-scale investment. Less than a year later, Evri announced both the DHL eCommerce UK transaction and its first corporate acquisition, Coll-8.
The series of deals therefore forms part of a broader expansion strategy rather than being an isolated consolidation of two parcel networks.
What Is Evri Group In 2026?
The completion announcement from Evri confirmed that the merger formally completed on 1 October 2025.
Evri Group has since developed into a broader ecommerce logistics operation containing six operating brands.
| Operating Brand | Main Role |
| Evri | Main consumer and ecommerce parcel delivery network |
| Evri Premium – A Network of DHL | Secure, premium and time-sensitive deliveries |
| Evri Fulfilment | Ecommerce fulfilment services |
| Evri International | Cross-border parcel services |
| UK Mail | Business mail collection and processing |
| Coll-8 | Customs clearance and Ireland-focused logistics |
The scale of the enlarged operation is also considerably larger than when the transaction was first announced.
Evri’s July 2026 results reported:
- More Than 1 Billion Parcels: Delivered on an annualised basis
- £2.38 Billion Revenue: Up 29% year on year
- £402 Million Adjusted EBITDA: Up 18%
- More Than 12,000 Employees: Across the enlarged organisation
- More Than 30,000 Couriers And Drivers: Working across its networks
- More Than 11,000 Evri ParcelShops And Lockers: Reached during FY25/26
- £80 Million Capital Investment: Across operations, technology, service and infrastructure during 2025/26
The company says its current Evri Premium proposition provides access to a combined out-of-home network of more than 15,000 shops and lockers.
What Does The Merger Mean For Ecommerce Sellers?
For online retailers, marketplace merchants and growing direct-to-consumer brands, the biggest change is the range of logistics options available within the same wider group.
More Choice Between Economy And Premium Delivery
Evri’s traditional strength has been cost-effective delivery for large volumes of relatively lightweight parcels.
The former DHL eCommerce UK operation complements that with a van-based premium network designed for higher-value, larger and time-sensitive shipments.
That allows businesses to potentially segment orders more intelligently. A seller might use economical delivery for everyday products while choosing Evri Premium for expensive electronics, luxury goods or items requiring greater delivery security.
Evri Premium currently advertises next-day and standard services for both small and large items, alongside a separate secure network for high-value B2B and B2C deliveries.
International Selling Becomes More Important
DHL’s international infrastructure is one of the most strategically valuable parts of the merger.
Evri Premium says the group can draw on DHL eCommerce’s cross-border expertise and a global out-of-home network approaching 150,000 access points.
That matters particularly for businesses that have built domestic demand and are considering exporting.
It is also increasingly relevant to social-commerce businesses. Sellers learning how to sell on TikTok Shop may find that fulfilment capacity quickly becomes as important as marketing once order volumes increase.
Ireland Deliveries And Returns Could Become Easier
Evri’s acquisition of Coll-8 adds another dimension.
Coll-8 specialises in customs clearance and ecommerce logistics between the UK and Republic of Ireland. Evri said integration of its technology could reduce certain Republic of Ireland delivery times from up to five days to approximately two days.
Coll-8 also operates hundreds of Irish collection and drop-off locations and has systems designed to automate duty reclaim when goods are returned.
For retailers selling into Ireland, faster customs processing and simpler returns could reduce some of the friction that makes cross-border ecommerce more complicated than domestic fulfilment.
ParcelShop And Locker Capacity Is Expanding
Out-of-home delivery is becoming increasingly important for ecommerce because it can reduce failed home deliveries while giving customers greater flexibility.
Evri announced a £50 million investment to expand its ParcelShop and locker footprint towards 25,000 locations by 2030. The programme includes an owned network of 10,000 smart lockers.
For merchants selling through channels such as Facebook Marketplace, additional collection and return options can be particularly useful when customers expect inexpensive and convenient delivery.
Do Not Assume The Merger Automatically Means Lower Prices
Scale can improve efficiency, and the companies have repeatedly highlighted cost competitiveness as one of the potential advantages of their combined network.
That does not mean every ecommerce seller will automatically receive cheaper rates.
Delivery pricing still depends on factors including:
- Monthly Parcel Volume
- Parcel Weight And Dimensions
- Delivery Speed
- Collection Requirements
- International Destination
- Returns Volumes
- Insurance And Compensation Requirements
- Contract Commitments
Businesses should continue benchmarking carrier prices rather than assuming consolidation creates the cheapest option.
For higher-volume merchants, using more than one courier can also preserve negotiating leverage and provide operational resilience during peak periods.
Shipping Technology May Need Reviewing
A merger at this scale can affect more than delivery vans.
Businesses should check whether changes affect carrier names, tracking links, shipping APIs, marketplace integrations, label formats and account-management systems.
Companies processing hundreds or thousands of parcels should test any changes before applying them across their fulfilment operation.
Reliable hardware is also easy to overlook when volume increases. Businesses producing large numbers of shipping and return labels may benefit from reviewing their label printing setup alongside any carrier integration changes.
There is currently no basis for assuming that every legacy Evri and DHL customer account will automatically become a single login or consolidated billing account. Commercial customers should follow the migration instructions provided specifically for their account.
What Happened To DHL eCommerce UK?
DHL eCommerce UK’s network has effectively become the foundation of Evri Premium – A Network of DHL.
The proposition is already being promoted by Evri as a premium service for retailers, businesses and consumers. It covers high-value parcels, larger shipments, time-sensitive deliveries, B2B services, international shipping and business mail.
Some underlying systems may continue to carry DHL-related branding during the transition. For example, Evri’s current Premium service page directs users to a DHL Parcel booking domain.
That should not be confused with DHL Express.
DHL Express was outside the merger and remains part of DHL Group.
What Has Changed Since The Merger Was First Announced?
The difference between the May 2025 announcement and the position in September 2026 is significant.
| May 2025 Position | Current Position |
| Transaction proposed | Transaction completed |
| CMA approval outstanding | Unconditionally cleared |
| Combined company expected | Evri Group operating |
| One billion parcels forecast | More than one billion parcels already reached |
| DHL eCommerce UK brand operating | Evri Premium – A Network of DHL introduced |
| Coll-8 newly acquired | Coll-8 incorporated into wider group strategy |
| ParcelShop expansion planned | £50m network investment under way |
| One billion parcel target | New 1.4 billion target for 2030 |
In August 2026, Evri Group also announced plans to recruit more than 10,000 people across its operations as it prepares for further parcel growth.
The opportunities include around 7,000 self-employed community courier roles and more than 2,000 Evri Premium owner-driver positions. (Evri)
That gives ecommerce businesses a clearer indication that the merger is moving beyond corporate restructuring and into physical network expansion.
What About Evri’s Customer Service Record?
Bigger networks do not automatically produce better customer experiences, so ecommerce sellers should consider service performance alongside price and reach.
The latest Ofcom parcel delivery research, published in October 2025, found average overall parcel-company satisfaction remained at 78%. However, 68% of respondents had experienced at least one delivery issue during the previous six months.
Evri performed particularly poorly when Ofcom asked people who had needed to contact or complain to a parcel company about their satisfaction with that experience.
Evri recorded 31% satisfaction, compared with 55% for DHL. This figure relates specifically to customer contact and complaints rather than overall satisfaction with every Evri delivery.
Service quality also attracted wider scrutiny when BBC Panorama broadcast Evri: Where’s My Parcel? on 15 December 2025. The programme investigated working pressures within an Evri delivery unit and spoke to dissatisfied customers and couriers.
Evri strongly disputed the programme’s portrayal, saying it provided a reliable and cost-effective service and that the examples presented were not representative of its wider network.
The dispute has since escalated. In 2026, Evri brought a libel claim against the BBC relating to the documentary, meaning some of the allegations remain actively contested rather than established findings.
For ecommerce companies, the practical lesson is to judge courier performance using their own data rather than relying solely on either corporate promises or headline complaints.
What Should Ecommerce Businesses Do Now?
Businesses already using Evri or the former DHL eCommerce UK network do not necessarily need to change courier immediately. They should, however, use the merger as an opportunity to review their fulfilment strategy.
Useful steps include:
- Review Current Contracts: Check whether pricing, minimum volumes, claims limits or service names are changing
- Test Evri Premium: Compare premium delivery performance against your existing high-value shipping provider
- Check Integrations: Confirm APIs, carrier codes, labels and tracking links still operate correctly
- Measure Delivery Performance: Track on-time delivery rates, missing parcels, damages and failed delivery attempts
- Monitor Support: Record how quickly problems and claims are resolved
- Review Returns: Consider whether expanded ParcelShop, locker and international returns options improve the customer journey
- Maintain A Backup Carrier: Avoid making the entire fulfilment operation dependent on one logistics group
- Segment Orders: Use different services depending on value, size, destination and customer expectations
- Benchmark Prices Regularly: Increased scale does not guarantee your existing contract remains competitive
The real opportunity lies in using the expanded network selectively rather than automatically moving every parcel onto the same service.
What Does The DHL-Evri Merger Ultimately Mean For Sellers?
The DHL eCommerce UK Evri deal has moved well beyond the uncertainty that surrounded the original 2025 announcement.
The CMA has approved it, the transaction has completed, Evri Group has been formed and the combined organisation is already processing more than one billion parcels a year.
Its strategy now stretches from affordable domestic deliveries to high-value shipping, business mail, fulfilment, international ecommerce and customs clearance.
For ecommerce sellers, that could mean more choice and the ability to purchase several types of logistics service from one broader group.
It also creates reasons to remain commercially disciplined. Delivery price, reliability, claims handling and customer support still need to be measured independently.
A larger network only creates value for a seller if it results in better fulfilment performance for that particular business.
With Evri now targeting 1.4 billion parcels annually by 2030, further changes to its technology, out-of-home network and service portfolio are likely as the integration develops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has The CMA Approved The DHL-Evri Merger?
Yes. The CMA unconditionally cleared the merger on 4 September 2025 following its Phase 1 investigation. The full decision was published on 5 September under case ME/2253/25.
When Did The DHL And Evri Merger Complete?
The transaction officially completed on 1 October 2025, creating the enlarged Evri Group.
What Is Evri Group?
Evri Group is the enlarged logistics organisation created following the DHL eCommerce UK merger and Coll-8 acquisition. Its operations include Evri, Evri Premium, Evri Fulfilment, Evri International, UK Mail and Coll-8.
Is DHL eCommerce UK Still Trading?
Its UK parcel network has transitioned into the Evri Premium – A Network of DHL proposition. Some systems may continue to show DHL-related branding while the commercial integration progresses.
Is DHL Express Part Of The Evri Merger?
No. DHL Express was specifically outside the transaction and remains owned and controlled by DHL Group.
Will Evri And DHL Customer Accounts Automatically Be Combined?
There is no blanket public confirmation that all customer accounts will automatically become one account or login. Businesses should follow migration information supplied by their account manager or carrier platform.
Will The Merger Make Parcel Delivery Cheaper For Businesses?
Not necessarily. Greater scale may create efficiencies, but individual shipping prices will still depend on volumes, parcel characteristics, destinations, service levels and negotiated commercial terms.
