Doddle looking to expand ‘Runner’ and ‘Neighbour’ services

Doddle, the UK parcel store network which celebrates its first anniversary today (5 October), has announced that it plans to open more stores in 2016 and also expand its Doddle Runner and Doddle Neighbour services. In a statement issued today, Doddle said that over 85,000 people have signed up to the service and the network now incorporates 43 stores and “stretches from Glasgow to Brighton”.

The company also reported that it has established partnerships over the past year with 25 retailers including Amazon, ASOS, Missguided, River Island and New Look.

Tim Robinson, Doddle CEO said: “Consumers expect greater choice and flexibility around how they send and receive parcels, it will remain our mission to deliver this in 2016 as we open more stores and launch new services.”

Doddle said that its ‘Runner’ app – through which customers can order “specially trained Runners” to collect parcels from them within the hour – is currently restricted to London but is set to “expand into more areas in 2016”. Tantalisingly, Doddle said that it will also “extend the range of services offered through Doddle Runners”.

Doddle added: “Next year will also see the launch of Doddle Neighbour, where Doddle will pay people to take in parcels for local residents. The service is being trialled in Bromley in October, expanding into new areas later in 2016. An extension of Doddle’s existing services, Neighbour will give Doddle greater geographic reach and provide customers with greater choice over where and when they send and receive parcels.”

Post&Parcel first reported on Doddle’s plans to trial the new Neighbour service back in July.