PayPoint and eBay agree deal for Collect+ access
PayPoint and eBay have signed a partnership that will enable eBay sellers and buyers to access the Collect+ network for click and collect parcel services.
The deal is a major milestone for the network, because eBay will be the first multi-carrier partner for Collect+ signed by PayPoint. eBay customers will be able to have their deliveries to Collect+ locations made by their own choice of carrier service.
So, through the eBay deal, Collect+ will open itself up to both more carriers and also more end users – because the eBay seller/buyer demographic is quite different from the existing Collect+ customer base who mostly use the network for online shopping with fashion retailers.
Gary Winter, Parcel Services Director at PayPoint, told Post&Parcel that the plan is for eBay customers to have access to around 2,500 selected stores within the Collect+ network in time for peak season. Further expansion to more locations across the 7,000+ store network will follow.
As Post&Parcel readers will know, eBay already has a click & collect arrangement with Argos (now part of Sainsbury’s), and it is likely that the first 2,500 Collect+ locations will be selected to complement the Argos offering.
Commenting on the eBay partnership, Dominic Taylor, CEO of PayPoint said: “This is an exciting opportunity for our retailer network and for Collect+ as the definitive Click and Collect solution for UK online merchants with the potential for millions of extra parcels for our store network. Convenience stores play such an important role in local communities, providing simple and convenient solutions for those with busy lives. The reach of our network ensures we’re available wherever and whenever our customers need us, – especially given the increasingly blurred lines between online and offline shopping.”
Taylor continued: “This deal is perfectly in-line with our parcel strategy as we move Collect+ to become the industry solution for a multi carrier approach. We know that half of people collecting a parcel are visiting their local stores for the first time. The eBay deal therefore represents a significant boost in footfall and possible sales for our Collect+ retailers.”
eBay UK Vice President, Rob Hattrell said: “24 million customers shop with us every month. We want to make it as convenient as possible for them to get the item they’re looking for. Our partnership with CollectPlus is a great boost to our delivery options, giving customers thousands more locations to choose from when they are shopping.”
The first stores offering services to eBay customers are expected to go live in September and October (in preparation for peak).
Alongside this, a new Parcels retailer app will be launched at the same time to improve in-store operations via parcels scanning in and out away from the counter, accepting driver deliveries via mobile and creates extra capacity to serve customers during busy times. The app will be available on iOS and Android.
