Post Office has partnered with DPD and Evri to provide more parcel options in branches.
For the first time in 360-year history, customers at selected Post Office branches can now choose delivery services other than Royal Mail.
The new buy-in-brand parcel service will begin in chosen branches in time for the peak Christmas delivery season.
The move comes after new research commissioned by Post Office found that 48% of respondents wished there were more delivery providers available to choose from at one location when they are posting parcels.
Post Office said the announcement marks its continued diversification as it “evolves to become a one-stop hub for customers and a destination where they can access multiple delivery carriers all under one roof”.
With the new partnerships set to launch ahead of the busy Christmas period, new findings by Post Office revealed that 40% of people admitted that sending parcels at Christmas can be stressful as they worry that it could get lost (47%) or will not arrive in time (43%).
The new service aims to help further reassure customers when sending parcels at this time of year.
Post Office said that DPD and Evri have chosen to partner with Post Office because they have the UK’s largest network and Post Office branches are seen as a trusted and safe place to go for parcels, handling millions of parcels every week.
In addition, the launch aims to benefit not just customers, but also the Postmasters who will reap the rewards of this new service as customers realise that all their parcel needs can be met at their local branch.
Nick Read chief executive officer at Post Office said: “This expanded partnership with DPD and Evri shows we are disrupting the mails market to offer greater choice for customers and more opportunities for Postmasters as we build a Post Office fit for the future.”
Neill O’Sullivan, managing director of Parcels and Mails at Post Office, said that Post Office is innovating to meet changing customer preferences and the increasingly competitive market.
“Our goal is to deliver unparalleled access to parcel services, addressing the needs of businesses and retail customers, both now and in the future. Our new buy-in-branch service reflects how Post Office has adapted as a business to ensure our customers now have access to multiple delivery carriers and services conveniently in their local Post Office.
”It’s very exciting to have major carriers DPD and Evri as our launch partners for this new service which will be rolled out across branches over the coming months. We will continue to innovate to provide a broader range of options to suit customer needs through our extensive network.”
“Our buy-in-branch parcel service will not only widen delivery choice for our customers but our in-person service provided by our dedicated Postmasters will also give them additional peace-of-mind knowing their parcels will be taken care of and arrive safely.
“Our ongoing partnership with Royal Mail remains of utmost significance to us, and this announcement further enhances the Post Office’s pivotal role as an indispensable one-stop hub for communities where our valued customers can confidently participate in a wide array of face-to-face transactions, all while enjoying the exceptional assistance and support we provide.”
Elaine Kerr chief executive officer at DPD UK said: “Buy-in-branch extends our working relationship with the Post Office and will help provide more choice and convenience for UK parcel shippers. DPD parcel recipients can already collect their parcels from Post Office branches and regard them as safe and trusted locations for a wide range of services. The new service will help reinforce the unique position the branches have and, for the first time, give face-to-face parcel customers genuine choice over how they ship.”
Martijn de Lange chief officer executive officer at Evri said: “We’re committed to delivering a highquality, convenient, and reliable service and this partnership offers our costeffective options, with great quality benefits such as tracking as standard, within the Post Office’s expansive network to reach more communities. We deliver over 730 million parcels each year and as well as offering domestic services, which sees us deliver to almost every household in the UK, our international services will be available at selected Post Office counters.”
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