CNCT.L Regulatory News (CNCT)

Connect group PLC

('Connect Group' or "the Group")

LAUNCH OF PASS MY PARCEL DELIVERY SERVICE WITH AMAZON

New click and collect delivery service with Amazon

Connect Group PLC ("the Group") a leading specialist distributor operating in three divisions; News & Media, Books and Education & Care, is today delighted to announce the launch of Pass My Parcel, a new and wholly owned 'click and collect' delivery service. Pass My Parcel is a solution developed by the News and Media division ("the Division") which over time has the potential to be part of the long term diversification strategy for the Division. Pass My Parcel has secured Amazon, the UKs leading on-line retailer to launch the service.

Pass My Parcel is a highly innovative new parcel collection service utilising the current Smiths News' specialist time sensitive distribution capability, physical network, and its daily relationship with thousands of local retailers across the UK, enabling the development and rollout to be achieved in a more cost effective way than other companies. Pass My Parcel will offer a unique twice daily distribution to participating independent retail outlets, 7 days a week, 364 days a year.

When selecting Pass My Parcel as a delivery option, customers ordering on-line by 7.45pm will be able to collect their parcel from 6.30am the next morning, or, if ordered by 11.45am will be able to collect from 4pm the same day. This service of two time sensitive deliveries per day, (once on a Sunday), offers customers a convenient and secure way to pick up their parcels, with a level of service and flexibility unlike any other offer in the market today.

Customers selecting Pass My Parcel delivery to their local independent retailer will be electronically sent a specially generated pin code in order to securely collect their parcel. This new service will allow 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.

Mark Cashmore, Group Chief Executive commented:

"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."

Christopher North, Managing Director of Amazon.co.uk Ltd commented:

"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."

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About Connect Group PLC:

Connect Group PLC is a leading specialist distributor operating in large and diverse markets. The Group has three separate divisions, connecting suppliers to customers in an efficient, knowledgeable and service oriented way:

Connect News & Media - Encompassing: Smiths News, the UK's largest news wholesaling business with an approximate 55% market share, distributing newspapers and magazines on behalf of all the major national publishers as well as a large number of regional publishers. Smiths News serves approximately 30,000 customers across England and Wales, supplying large general retailers as well as smaller independent newsagents; and Dawson Media Direct, an international media direct business supplying newspapers, magazines and inflight entertainment technology and content to over 80 airlines in 50 Countries,

Connect Books - Combining a number of recognised brands in print and digital bookselling, including Bertram's, Dawson Books and Wordery. A leading distributor of physical and digital books, the division serves over 8,200 customers in approximately 100 countries, with over 200,000 in stock titles and access to over a further 7 million consumer and 20 million academic titles,

Connect Education & Care - A leading independent supplier of consumables through The Consortium and West Mercia Supplies with an approximate 5% market share. The division serves over 30,000 customers with an extensive range of over 40,000 products across a branded, own brand and value range, including stationery, arts and craft and cleaning.