Doddle expanding parcel shop network to six UK stations
Doddle, the parcel shop business run by Britain’s railway infrastructure firm Network Rail, is opening new stores this week in six stations around the UK. The company, a joint venture between investor and Travelex-founder Lloyd Dorfman and Network Rail, said it is opening outlets in Southampton, Tonbridge, Woking, Glasgow Central, Chancery Lane and Basingstoke stations.
It has also opened an outlet at the Westfield Stratford City shopping mall in East London, as part of the concierge services there.
Doddle’s business model relies on fewer parcel shop branches compared to rival parcel shop networks, but with each one located at stations where there are potentially much higher footfalls.
Hopes are to ultimately open 300 Doddle branches at stations across the UK.
The company said it is in the process of integrating business wear retailer T.M.Lewin into its system, so that customers of the T.M.Lewin will be able to collect purchases at Doddle stores once they have completed the checkout process on the retailer’s website, as an alternative to in-store click and collect or next-day delivery services.
Doddle will also be part of retailer ASOS’s free returns network.
Tim Robinson, CEO at Doddle, said: “The Doddle service offers a convenient service for all shippers and retailers and is another way for them to improve their customer experience. It is clear that consumers are looking for a broad range of alternatives rather than one size fits all. By partnering with Doddle, they are providing their customers with another easy and convenient way to collect and return their online shopping where and when they want, normally at no additional cost.”
The new store at the Westfield shopping centre in East London represents a slight departure from the station-based model for Doddle, but Myf Ryan, Marketing Director, UK & Europe at Westfield said the company saw an opportunity to respond to shoppers’ needs to host Doddle services.
She said: “The Doddle collection point located at concierge on the Lower Ground Floor is part of our broader strategy to deliver digital solutions that enhance the customer shopping experience and drive sales opportunities for our retailers.”
