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Pass the parcel The Post Office has signed an historic new deal with parcel carrier DPD, the first time it has worked with external carriers in 360 years.
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he Post Office has signed a deal with DPD which will see parcels delivered directly to its branches, opening its network to external carriers for the first time in its 360-year history. Previously the Post Office only had an agreement with Royal Mail Group for parcel collections directly at its branches. The click-and-collect service will initially be available at around 250 Post Offices this month before rolling-out to around 1,500 branches UK-wide ahead of the peak Christmas period. Customers making a purchase online will be able to choose their local post office as the collection point for their parcels. DPD will deliver parcels directly to branches and postmasters will process customer collections at the counter.
CUSTOMER CONVENIENCE Nick Read, boss of the Post Office, said: “Combining the biggest physical retail network with one of the Europe’s best-known logistical carriers provides greater customer convenience, footfall for postmasters and helps people back to the high street as Covid-19 restrictions ease. “I’m delighted that through our partnership with DPD, customers can select their local post office to collect their parcels and know that they are often open longer hours, staffed by a knowledgeable postmaster and located moments from where they live.” Elaine Kerr, DPD Chief Executive, added: “This is a significant, long-term partnership between two brand leaders in the
10 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 69 / WEDNESDAY 18TH AUGUST 2021
DPD’s click-and-collect service will initially be available at around 250 Post Offices this month before rolling-out to around 1,500 branches across the UK
