Automotive, cycling and leisure retailer Halfords is set to join forces with the new DPD PickUpparcel shop network launching in the UK in June.
Halfords, which has over 460 stores nationwide, will join the Rowlands and Numark Pharmacychains that are already signed up under DPD’s plans announced in January. Further retail partnersare likely to be announced in the coming weeks as DPD builds a network of 2,500 parcel shopslocated at retail outlets that are within ten minute of most people in the UK.
DPD PickUp aims to transform collect and return by truly integrating it into the purchasingand delivery processes and offering customers a greatly improved service experience. From June, DPDPickUp locations will be available as an alternative to home delivery, giving consumers even morechoice and flexibility.
In addition, DPD PickUp will be one of the ‘in-flight’ options available in DPD’s text andemail notifications, which are sent ahead of a scheduled home delivery. So if customers aren’tgoing to be at home they can divert their delivery to a DPD PickUp point for collection at a timethat suits them.
DPD’s UK CEO Dwain McDonald commented: “Halfords is a fantastic addition to our new networkand I am delighted to welcome them on board. They are a trusted High Street brand with a greatreputation for customer service and helping people. Their stores are in prominent locations withcustomer parking which is ideal for people wanting to pick up parcels.
“Our aim is to offer a collect and return service with a difference. We’re looking to giveDPD PickUp customers an outstanding service experience – from the communication at purchase abouttheir delivery options, right through to the PickUp shop environment and the welcome they receivethere – which means working with high quality retailers like Halfords who share our customerservice ethos.”
Katrina Jamieson, Director of Digital for Halfords, commented: “Halfords prides itself onhelping customers with their ‘life on the move’, therefore working with DPD to give busy consumersanother parcel delivery option is a really good fit for us. Like DPD, we put the customer at thecentre of everything we do. DPD’s technology is second to none and as a result, they already have avery smart proposition. We’re confident that our branches and our people will complement that andgive their customers a really viable, joined-up alternative to a home delivery.”
DPD describes itself as the fastest growing major parcel delivery company in the UK. In thelast two years it has opened 18 new or replacement depots, including nine state-of-the-art, purposebuilt facilities, creating over 2,000 new jobs. Later this year it will open its new £100m parcelhub at Hinckley in central England, which will be the largest of its kind in Europe and which willcreate another 1,000 permanent full-time jobs.
