DPD is to hire 700 new drivers in response to a rapid growth in demand for Saturday and Sunday deliveries.

According to a statement from DPD there is to be a new employed role of part-time dedicated weekend delivery driver, after the company had a 40% surge in weekend parcel volumes in the last year.

DPD said that the expansion is due to the “general growth in e-tail traffic and more retailers promoting the option of weekend deliveries, with fashion and electronic devices two of the fastest growing sectors”.

According to DPD this number could well grow to more than 1000 weekend drivers in the next 12 months. 100 new warehouse jobs have also been created at tDPD’s regional depot network to support increased traffic.

Dwain McDonald, DPD’s CEO commented, “We’ve been amazed by the demand for our weekend service and we’re obviously delighted to be able to create more new jobs, as a result. We were the first major delivery company to offer a nationwide seven-day service, which gave us a real advantage, but this ongoing growth is yet another example of the march of UK e-tail.

“The increased demand for weekend deliveries is coming direct from the consumer. Online shoppers increasingly expect to get their goods the next day, regardless of when they make the purchase. We also find that many customers now specifically request a weekend delivery for goods like fashion and electronic devices where they want to be sure they are going to be at home to receive it. Retailers trust us to deliver these types of goods safely and professionally, and we’re investing in that part of our business to meet the demand and improve the service still further.

“Our proposition is really well suited to weekend deliveries. We don’t turn up out of the blue and interrupt your weekend. We deliver within a sensible time window and customers know in advance exactly when we are coming. They also have complete control over their delivery, with a wide range of options to choose from if they aren’t going to be at home.”