CollectPlus to expand network to 7,500 stores
CollectPlus, the store-based parcel delivery and returns service, revealed plans to expand its network by 33% – from 5,500 to 7,500 stores in the next twelve months, with a longer term aspiration of achieving 12,000 stores. The news comes as the company prepares to celebrate its fifth birthday, and follows a 25% network growth last year. The expansion of the CollectPlus network is made possible through PayPoint’s extensive store network as well locations, such as CollectPlus@Westfield. A dedicated customer lounge which allows shoppers at the west London shopping centre to try on online purchases before they take them home and then accessorise or complement those purchases with other merchandise from the Westfield London portfolio of retail brands.
The latest research from CollectPlus outlines that stores offering the service can expect an annual revenue increase, on average, of more than £2,700. In addition, 86% of people that have used the service rate its convenience and value for money highly, with 63% using it more now than they did a year ago and 90% planning to use it again in the future. CollectPlus handled its 10 millionth parcel in November 2012, hitting 15 million and 20 million milestones in June 2013 and November 2013 respectively, with the company now handling in excess of 250,000 parcels every week.
Neil Ashworth, CEO of CollectPlus, says: “Our philosophy has always been to make life easier for our customers. Whether a customer is returning, sending or collecting one or several parcels, we want them to have the best possible experience from start to finish. As such, we are committed to expanding the CollectPlus network to ensure our unique offering is available wherever our customers are, and in stores that have the capacity and ability to deliver a great service even during busy times.”
“The CollectPlus network has been strategically developed to incorporate the best local stores, which are close to where our customers spend their time on a daily basis, whether that is their home or place of work. We are now providing returns solutions for over 260 retail brands, resulting in an ever-growing and wide-ranging customer base. We’re extremely proud that as we approach our fifth birthday we are accelerating our network coverage and will be almost two thirds the size of the Post Office this time next year, which in its current form has been around for nearly thirty years. Furthermore, we are working towards a longer term goal of having 12,000 stores in our network and strengthening our position as the largest store-based parcel service.”
A strong performance this past Christmas and the subsequent growth of its Click and Collect service has reinforced the need to provide people with a convenient delivery and collection channel that fits into their day, with CollectPlus seeing 58% of online click and collect purchases being collected by customers outside of traditional opening hours.
Neil Ashworth, CEO of CollectPlus, continues: “The internet gives shoppers the ability to browse and purchase goods whenever and wherever they like. However, we know from our own research that inflexible deliveries can damage the overall shopping experience for customers. Part of the appeal of shopping online is the convenience it offers, but as well as being able to make their purchases when they want, people also want to be able to get their goods at a time and a place that suits them.”
As part of its 2014 expansion plans, CollectPlus last month unveiled its new integrated marketing campaign – which includes TV, TV Sponsorship, Radio, PPC, Display, Digital out-of-home (OOH), Search, PR and Social.
CollectPlus is a joint venture between PayPoint, the retail payment network, and the parcel delivery company, Yodel.
