HDN launch Lite service

Home Delivery Network (HDN) is rolling out its sub-2kg parcel service – called HDN Lite – in direct competition to the Royal Mail’s second class mail service in the UK. Whilst the Lite proposition has been in planning for some months, and has already been taken up by some of HDN’s existing clients, the prolonged nature of the Royal Mail disputes and the threat of national action have prompted the company to launch the service to give internet retailers an alternative to using unreliable delivery partners.

HDN Lite – which was previously only available to HDN’s existing customers – will provide retailers with a reliable and cost-effective alternative to Royal Mail for their customer deliveries.

As well as guaranteeing delivery within 72 hours, the service provides a significant improvement on Royal Mail – featuring full track and trace as standard, allowing customers to follow their parcels both online and via HDN’s dedicated customer service centre.

Other benefits, including insurance options, proof of delivery and scheduled returns, are also offered within bespoke packages for retailers.

The HDN Lite service will be available from January 2010 and is specifically targeted at sectors dispatching large volumes of sub-2kg parcels, such as entertainment products, books, electronics and clothing.

To date, the HDN Lite service has already won volume in excess of 2m parcels on behalf of retailers such as The Book People and Findel.

Brian Gaunt, chief executive of Home Delivery Network, said: “Our roll-out of HDN Lite is all about offering retailers the widest range of options for their customer deliveries, each combining value for money with improved customer convenience.

“With continued uncertainty about the reliability of Royal Mail deliveries the service is designed to meet growing customer demand for fully trackable and guaranteed delivery – all at the same price as competing non-tracked services.”