As a result of the deal, customers making a purchase online will have the option to choose their local Post Office as the collection point for their parcels. DPD will then deliver parcels directly to the Post Office and the Postmaster will process customer collections at the counter.
The Post Office previously only had an agreement with Royal Mail Group for parcel collections directly at its branches. However, it has now opened up its network to external carriers for the first time in its 360-year history. The Post Office says its partnership with DPD is further demonstration of its “strategy to ensure the future sustainability of the network, provide an innovative offering to consumers in the fast-growing parcel market and drive footfall for Postmasters and to the High Street more broadly.”
Nick Read, Chief Executive at the Post Office, believes that the agreement will bring greater customer convenience:
“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. I’m delighted that through our partnership with DPD, customers can select their local Post Office to collect their parcels and know that they are often open longer hours, staffed by a knowledgeable Postmaster and located moments from where they live.”
Meanwhile, Elaine Kerr, DPD CEO, says the deal is “great news for DPD parcel customers”:
“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.”
Both parties add that the deal will reduce the environmental impact of having vans making multiple stops to drop off parcels, whilst at the same time encouraging people to return to their local high street on foot.
Photo credits: left image © Copyright Jaggery / right image © Copyright Stacey Harris. Images licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.