Annual run rate already hits more than one million transactions a year as consumers convert to convenient local parcel collection and returns

Collect+, the parcel delivery and returns service, jointly-owned by PayPoint and Yodel (the new corporate identity for Home Delivery Network), today announces a bumper six months.

The alternative parcel service continues to grow rapidly as almost half its customers enjoy the convenience of posting parcels outside traditional opening hours. On the retail side, Collect+ has seen a sharp increase in its client base since May, adding major fashion brands such as ASOS, New Look, and MandM Direct.com to its roster.

Collect+ is now running at a volume rate of one million parcels per annum. As a result of this success, it expects to expand its network of stores – already over 3,400 – by a further 15 per cent in early 2011.

Mark Lewis, who joined as CEO six months ago, says of Collect+’s progress:

“We have quickly moved from start-up to scale. More than 30,000 consumers per week are now relying on our services – enjoying the benefits of collecting and sending parcels locally, at a time that suits them. Having developed partnerships with leading retail brands, we are now poised to expand our network further to enhance the service we offer small-scale retailers and ordinary parcel senders.”

Big brands turn to Collect+ for customer returns

Collect+ is continually attracting new business and strengthening its client list. Recent additions to the major brands which have begun offering returns through Collect+ include ASOS, Boden, House of Fraser and New Look, joining Shop Direct Group brands such as Very.co.uk and Littlewoods. These retailers have benefited from an increase in customer loyalty. Research by Collect+ found that 58%¹ of shoppers shun online retailers as a result of poor deliveries or returns, suggesting that getting logistics right is crucial to ensuring repeat custom.

Working with retailers on the street corner and the high street

Collect+ operates through 3,400 of PayPoint’s 22,500-strong network of local retail outlets. Consumers can now pick up or drop off a parcel at certain Spar, Costcutter and Londis outlets, plus thousands of independent local retailers, helping create vital additional footfall for these businesses.

Additional focus on eBay, small-scale retailers and consumers

At the beginning of November, Collect+ launched a service especially designed for smaller-scale retailers, eBay Power sellers and ordinary parcel senders, including those sending items sold on eBay, allowing them to drop parcels off at a local Collect+ store for delivery direct to recipients’ doors or to another Collect+ store. The service, arranged online at collectplus.co.uk, simplifies parcel sending by offering fixed pricing, simple insurance cover and the ability to track parcels online.

¹ Research by YouGov for Collect+. 1000 online shoppers were polled in May 2010

- Ends -

PayPoint, which is the joint-owner of Collect+, releases its results on 25 November 2010.

If you would like to set up a meeting or call with Mark Lewis, CEO of Collect+, or would like any further information on the service, please contact:

The PR team at the Red Consultancy:
0207 025 6500 / collectplusteam@redconsultancy.com

About Collect+

Collect+ is a new delivery and returns service giving online shoppers greater freedom and flexibility with the choice of collecting and dropping off parcels at local convenience stores.

With 98% of Collect+ outlets open seven days a week and, normally, early in the morning until late at night, the service offers online shoppers the option to pick up or drop off purchases at a time and place convenient to them.

75% of the UK population lives within a mile of a Collect+ store in urban areas, and five miles in rural areas.

Collect+ services are securely delivered by Yodel (formerly Home Delivery Network), which has 90 years delivery experience, carrying 300,000 items a day, and the retail payment network PayPoint, which handles almost 1.5 million financial transactions each day through simple, staff operated terminals located in a nationwide network of 22,500 shops.

This backing gives Collect+ a mass of experience in logistics, fulfilment and retail as well as making the company entirely scalable in line with client need or in response to seasonal peaks.