Hermes has announced plans to expand its network of parcel shops in the UK to 2,500 by the end ofnext year after opening its 1,000th location just six months after the scheme’s launch.
The company has recently opened its 1000th myHermes ParcelShop in Stockport,Lancashire, and thereby reached its ambitious goal of operating 1,000 sites by the end of 2012.Furthermore, Hermes UK has revealed its growth target for 2013 to expand the network to more than2,500 ParcelShops.
myHermes ParcelShop was launched nationwide in Britain in June 2012 at 500 convenience storesto provide a simple way of sending parcels and allow online retailers to offer an easy means ofreturning unwanted purchases. Each site is located in highly populated, urban areas and featuresextended opening times, typically from 8 to 8. For 2013, Hermes plans to further extend the serviceby allowing recipients to have their parcels delivered to the nearest ParcelShop as an alternativeto home delivery.
The parcel shop network includes 80 Co-operative stores, predominantly in the Birmingham,Swindon and Oxford areas, following an agreement with Midcounties Co-operative designed to enhanceits service offering.
Andy Cresswell, Deputy Chief Executive for The Midcounties Co-operative, said: “We’re veryexcited about the partnership between Hermes and Midcounties. Being able to offer ParcelShop in ourstores will not only provide even wider choice and greater convenience to our members andcustomers, but also contribute to increased footfall and basket-spend instore.”
Rob Edson, CFO of Hermes, commented: “Our recent research found that Internet shoppers areincreasingly influenced by the availability of a broad range of delivery options when choosing aretailer. We are committed to providing a range of services to home, work, neighbour, safeplace, store or ParcelShop at a time or day that is suitable for the consumer and fits within theirincreasingly busy lifestyles. Our myHermes ParcelShop network forms an important part of ourmulti-channel approach that offers a convenient and hassle-free delivery experience that achieveshigh levels of satisfaction and ultimately creates brand value.”
The launch and expansion of Hermes ParcelShops in the UK follows the company’s successfulimplementation of the parcel shop model in Germany, where the company has some 14,000 parcel shops,Austria – with more than 1,500 sites – as well as Russia, where Hermes and DPD already operated 300stores through a joint venture in early 2012.
