DHL 2009 Annual Report Download - page 67

Growing in digital markets
We are taking advantage of our expertise in physical communications to o er com-
petent electronic communications.  e internet is already facilitating customer access
to our services.  ey can calculate and purchase postage and also locate retail outlets
and Packstations online and by mobile telephone. In addition, starting in  we will
begin o ering the letter on the internet, a binding, con dential and reliable form of
written electronic communication.
We intend to continue participating in the growing internet advertising market.
We already o er small and medium-sized enterprises a platform for local services at
www.allesnebenan.de as well as the option of calculating costs and placing advertise-
ments in a variety of media using our easy-to-use Werbemanager (advertising man-
ager). In our parcel business, we are developing solutions for internet sales. Customers
can go to www.meinpaket.de for easy, secure and transparent online purchasing and
payment. Parcel recipients receive advance noti cations of when their parcels will ar-
rive. In the future, they will even be able to choose where and when they wish to receive
their parcels.
REVENUE AND EARNINGS PERFORMANCE
Revenue below prior year’s high level
In the year under review, revenue amounted to  , million, down from the
previous year’s high  gure of  , million.  e year-on-year decline in areas sensi-
tive to economic developments was in line with expectations. Slight exchange rate gains
were posted (  million).
Business customer revenue stabilises in the second half of the year
Revenue in the Mail Communication Business Unit declined from  , million
to  , million.  e increasing use of electronic communication is resulting in on-
going shrinkage of the market, a trend that has been intensi ed by the economic crisis.
In this economic climate, private customers posted fewer letters than in the previous
year. Revenues from business customers stabilised in the third and fourth quarters,
although total revenues for  remained below the prior-year level. We retained and
regained quality-conscious customers; however, some of our customers turned to com-
petitors as a consequence of a higher sensitivity to prices in light of the poor economic
conditions.
In the regulated mail sector, we kept prices stable as dictated by the price-cap pro-
cedure. According to a comparative study we conducted, our postage rates still rank
amongst the lowest in Europe.  e survey took account of both the nominal price for
sending a standard letter ( g) by the fastest method, and key macroeconomic factors
such as purchasing power and labour costs.
. Mail Communication: volumes
mail items (millions) 2008
adjusted
2009 + / –  Q 4 2008
adjusted
Q 4 2009 + / – 
Business customer letters 6,857 6,663 –2.8 1,767 1,732 –2.0
Private customer letters 1,328 1,292 –2.7 400 386 –3.5
Total 8,185 7,955 –2.8 2,167 2,118 –2.3
Risks, page 
Deutsche Post DHL Annual Report 
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