DHL 2012 Annual Report Download - page 93

e booming online marketplace represents another opportunity for us in that it is
creating demand for transporting documents and goods. e  market is experiencing
double-digit growth, particularly due to the rapid rise in digital retail trade. is has
created high growth potential for the national and international parcel business, which
we intend to tap into by expanding our parcel network.
Finally, greater environmental awareness on the part of our customers brings
opportunities for above-average growth. Customers want to improve their carbon
eciency, which is why they are increasingly requesting energy-ecient transport and
climate-neutral products. We lead our sector in this area, oering carbon-neutral mail,
parcel and express products plus air and ocean freight transport.
Opportunities in the divisions
In the strategic focus section, we have described the market opportunities we see in
the various divisions and the strategies and goals we are pursuing to take advantage of
these opportunities.
RISKS
Risk categories and specific risks
e risks set out in the following are those which we presently consider to have a
signicant, potentially negative, impact on our earnings, nancial position and assets
and liabilities. ey are not necessarily the only risks to which the Group is exposed.
Our business activities could also be adversely aected by additional factors of which
we are currently unaware or which we do not yet consider to be material.
Risks arising from the political and regulatory environment
Risks associated with the general business environment primarily arise from the fact
that the Group provides some of its services in a regulated market. A large number of
postal services rendered by Deutsche Post  and its subsidiaries are subject to sector-
specic regulation by the Bundesnetzagentur (German federal network agency), pursuant
to the Postgesetz (PostG – German Postal Act). is regulatory authority approves or
reviews prices, formulates the terms of downstream access and has special supervisory
powers to combat market abuse. is general regulatory risk could lead to a decline in
revenue and earnings in the event of negative decisions.
In , the regulatory authority announced a benchmark decision specifying the
conditions that would apply in  and  to regulation under the price-cap proced-
ure for mail prices requiring approval. is stipulates that the general rate of ination
and the expected productivity growth rate for Deutsche Post  are the key factors
applicable to mail prices subject to approval. Prices must be lowered if the ination
rate in the reference period is lower than the productivity growth rate specied by the
regulatory authority. In the year under review, the regulatory authority approved the
prices to be charged in  for the products regulated under the price-cap procedure.
Glossary, page 
Page   ff.
Glossary, page 
Glossary, page 
Deutsche Post DHL Annual Report 
Group Management Report
Outlook
Opportunities and risks
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