Dooris and Early Bird intend to join forces

Sweden's largest media houses announce their ambition to create a joint company for distribution solutions in e-commerce by merging Dooris and Early Bird.

Co-determination (MBL) negotiations with the respective trade unions have therefore started today. The unique opportunity to deliver and pick up packages in the morning in connection with newspaper delivery is the core of both companies. Together, we see the possibility of taking an even stronger position and continuing to develop more exciting services that customers want.

The distribution service Dooris was launched by Schibsted and Bonnier News together about a year ago with the goal of offering quick and easy home deliveries for the steadily growing e-commerce.

Both Dooris and Early Bird use the network for newspaper distribution from Sweden's media companies to deliver and collect packages. Now all parties from both companies intend to merge the two operations under the joint Early Bird brand, and union negotiations have therefore started today. Early Bird's current CEO Pelle Lönn is proposed to continue as CEO of the merged company.

"Both Early Bird and Dooris are increasing in volume, despite the fact that the Swedish e-commerce market slowed down during 2022. The ambition with a merger is that we should be able to use the best technology and competence from both companies. This is to create an even better service with fast and smooth deliveries for the end customer and continue to increase our market shares," says Gustaf Öhrn, chairman of the board Early Bird.

Dooris and Early Bird today offer both efficient and sustainable solutions for home deliveries. Through a merger, there will be an additional opportunity to reduce climate impact as flows can be consolidated.

"With package delivery throughout the country before breakfast, Dooris, Early Bird and all of us co-owners have the ambition to take a strong position in Sweden. Completely in line with Helthjem in Norway, which we have developed in a few years into a valuable e-commerce partner with close to 20 percent market share. Our intention now is to take these experiences with us to build a joint company together," says Cathrine Laksfoss, CEO Schibsted Ecommerce & Distribution.

"Participating parties have a common view of the package market and what is required going forward when it comes to working smartly and sustainably. The market is undergoing consolidation and through a merger we will be able to build an even better and stronger position - together and under a common brand," says Anders Eriksson, CEO of Bonnier News.

Today, both Dooris and Early Bird have well-developed package services, for example door-to-door solutions for consumers in the growing recycling market. Surveys also show that e-commerce consumers increasingly want their parcels delivered to their door instead of queuing at an agent.

"Today, Early Bird and Dooris have similar service portfolios and it feels natural to join forces, where all fantastically talented employees from both companies can continue to develop even sharper services together. Everything to make online shopping customers' experience as good and smooth as possible," says Pelle Lönn, current CEO of Early Bird.