The Post Office is to offer customers a click & collect service via a new partnership with parcel delivery company DPD.
The service will initially be available at 250 Post Offices, starting next week, before rolling out to 1,500 branches across the UK ahead of the peak Christmas period.
Customers making a purchase online can choose which Post Office they want to collect from. DPD will then deliver parcels directly to the Post Office branch, providing a “quick and convenient” location for people to collect their purchases.
It said offering the service is even more pertinent as the nation emerges from the pandemic, with fewer people having the luxury of being at home during the day to accept parcels.
The partnership marks the first time the Post Office has been able to open its network to external carriers in its 360-year history. This is due to its new Mail Distribution Agreement, which means the Post Office is not exclusively tied to the Royal Mail Group.
“Combining the biggest physical retail network with one of the Europe’s best-known logistical carriers provides greater customer convenience, footfall for postmasters and helps people back to the high street as Covid-19 restrictions ease,” said Post Office CEO Nick Read.
“I’m delighted that through our partnership with DPD, customers can select their local Post Office to collect their parcels and know they are often open longer hours, staffed by a knowledgeable postmaster and located moments from where they live.”
DPD CEO Elaine Kerr said: “This is a significant, long-term partnership between two brand leaders in the parcel industry and comes at a time when the convenience of online shopping and delivery is more valued than ever.
”It is great news for DPD parcel customers and for Post Office branches too. Our aim is always to get parcels delivered safely, on time and provide recipients with as much choice as possible.
”This partnership enables us to offer more options at the point of purchase, while the parcel is in-flight and on those occasions when we can’t leave a parcel safely.”
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