LONDON (Alliance News) - Connect Group PLC Wednesday announced the launch of 'Pass My Parcel', a new click-and-collect delivery service with online retailer Amazon as a partner.
In a statement, Connect Group said the service, developed by its news and media division, has the potential to be part of the division's diversification strategy.
Pass My Parcel will distribute twice daily to participating independent retail outlets, seven days a week, 364 days a year. The service will allow customers ordering online by 1945 to collect their parcels from 0630 the next morning. If parcels are ordered by 1145, customers will be able to collect them from 1600 the same day.
The intention is to give customers more control over when and where they choose to pick up their items.
Pass My Parcel will utilise Smiths News' information systems, invoicing and communication facilities and provide access to over 500 independent retail outlets being serviced by 12 Smiths News' depots. Connect Group was formerly known as Smiths News but in April changed its name in order to reflect its diversified distribution business.
"This is a very exciting opportunity for Connect Group, and is a key element of our broader diversification strategy. Working with Amazon, our team has brought to market an efficient and flexible service that no other business can offer. Over the coming year, we plan to develop and expand the service, to thousands more retailers, recognising the scale of opportunity as a key strategic development for our news distribution business," Connect Group Chief Executive Mark Cashmore said in a statement.
Amazon.co.uk Ltd Managing Director Christopher North said: "This is our fastest pickup service yet; we know that Prime customers love fast delivery and the convenience to pick up their order at a time and place that suits them best. This new service brings together both of those great benefits."
The news came separately to the group's results for the year ended August 31, which showed an increase in pretax profit to GBP43.1 million from GBP38.9 million.
By Samuel Agini; samagini@alliancenews.com; @samuelagini
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