CollectPlus delivers 10 millionth parcel in UK network

UK parcel shop network CollectPlus has now delivered 10m parcels since starting up in 2009. The joint venture between parcel carrier Yodel and payments firm PayPoint recently opened its 5,000th outlet in the UK, and has seen exponential growth in its parcel volumes thanks to the boom in home delivery in Britain.

Revenue for the network has grown by 170% in the past half-year, to GBP 3.7m, with parcel transactions more than doubling compared to the same period in 2011, to 3.3m.

CollectPlus said its operating run rate is now as much as 7m parcels a year.

Mark Lewis, the CollectPlus chief executive, said the success was down to the series of CollectPlus services now available reflecting the needs of the UK consumer.

He said: “CollectPlus’ growth continues at a strong rate as more shoppers and retailers take advantage of the convenience and flexibility of our business and products.”

Network

The CollectPlus network comprises convenience stores and other retailer businesses that provide services including the sending and receiving of parcels and product returns, with tracking offered on all parcels and opening hours extending outside office hours when 40% of transactions take place.

For retail partners running the CollectPlus services, the company claims that the average annual revenue a shop will generate from CollectPlus customers buying other goods during their visit is GBP 1,300.

The CollectPlus network has grown 10% in size over the past year, with the company stating that its network is now almost half the size of the Post Office network.

CollectPlus said its consumer send service has seen a seven-fold increase in transactions this year.

Its “Click&CollectPlus” service, allowing shoppers to purchase goods online to collect in a CollectPlus outlet, has also been proving “very popular”, Lewis said.

The company recently added Amazon and shoe retailer Clarks to its list of Click&CollectPlus partners.

“Customers now expect a seamless delivery and returns experience from their retailer,” said Lewis. “CollectPlus has responded to these customer needs with a network of local stores to offer consumers a greater number of touch points to use the service in the UK.”

IT

The CollectPlus network uses a web-based IT platform from Marlow-based NetDespatch to connect PayPoint terminals in local convenience stores with carrier tracking systems to manage in-store parcel returns and collections.

NetDespatch chief executive Becky Clark said her company’s technology has allowed CollectPlus to expand rapidly without technological barriers impeding it.

“Using our advanced web-based systems and services, CollectPlus has broken new ground in parcel collection, delivery, and returns services and we expect them to continue to do so for years to come,” she said of the 10m parcel milestone.