The UK Post Office has launched a scheme for consumers to collect packages from local branches.
The UK Post Office has launched a trial scheme across 1000 branches in the southwest of the country, whereby it holds packages and parcels ordered by customers over the Internet for collection at local post offices. Eventually, customers will be able to nominate the most convenient post office either as a first choice location to pick up goods, or as a second choice location if they are not at home when the goods are delivered.
The main customer segment here will be the large proportion of Internet shoppers who are at work during business hours, and so cannot easily receive goods at home. Post Offices are open for limited hours over the weekend, so customers will be able to make the short journey and pick up the items they have purchased.
The Post Office has already made significant efforts to become a leader in home delivery, including direct marketing experience, warehousing and fulfillment, customer management and Internet security. This new move should complement these ‘letterbox goods’ operations, as well as succeeding in its own right; since there are 18,000 branches across the country, the organization is in a perfect position to add a nationwide collection point service. The move will also complement sister organization Parcelforce’s introduction of time slot deliveries, where eTailers can offer a selection of timed delivery options of after work, before noon and during the working day.
eCommerce is a perfect move for Royal Mail. Its coverage of 26 million addresses has already given it a serious head start in the battle for eFulfillment. This move should both bolster its existing delivery operations and boost consumer confidence in the delivery of Internet-acquired products, putting the organization in an even stronger position in the sector.
