For Luuk Speksnijder, Managing Director at GLS Netherlands, the last mile is already being transformed by digital tools.

Speaking at DELIVER Europe 2026, Luuk reflected on his keynote session about the digital revolution in last mile delivery. His central message was that digital capabilities are changing the relationship between parcel carriers, retailers and consumers.

One part of that revolution is already visible. GLS is using digital tools to give customers more predictability, transparency and control over their delivery experience. Customers can track the driver in real time, see how many stops remain and redirect a parcel even when it is already on the van.

That level of control gives consumers more flexibility. If they know they will not be home, they can redirect the parcel to a neighbour, a GLS parcel shop, a parcel locker or a safe place around the house.

Luuk also highlighted a second digital revolution that is only just beginning: agentic AI. In his view, AI has the potential to change both the ecommerce shopping experience and the way last mile operations work.

For GLS, DELIVER Europe is valuable because it brings together customers, prospects and industry peers in one place. It gives the team an opportunity to explain what GLS is developing, listen to what retailers need from their parcel carriers and understand the wider direction of the market.

For retailers, Luuk sees the event as a useful place to meet multiple carriers, compare the market and hear ideas about the future of ecommerce delivery and customer experience.