The Post Office has partnered with DPD for click and collect services, the first time the company has opened up its network to external carriers in its 360-year history.
From next week, DPD will deliver parcels directly to Post Offices for customers to collect. The service will initially be available at around 250 Post Offices this month before rolling out to approximately 1,500 branches across the UK ahead of the peak Christmas period.
Customers making a purchase online will have the option to choose their local Post Office as the collection point for their parcels. DPD will deliver parcels directly to the Post Office and the Postmaster will process customer collections at the counter.
The Post Office, the UK’s largest retail network with 11,500 branches, previously only had an agreement with Royal Mail Group for parcel collections directly at its branches.
Nick Read, chief executive at the Post Office, said: “Combining the biggest physical retail network with one of 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.”
Elaine Kerr, DPD CEO, 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.”
