Post Office partners with DPD and Evri to launch new in-branch parcel delivery services

Post Office has launched buy-in-branch sales with DPD and Evri which means Royal Mail is no longer the only carrier available at branches.

The first phase of the rollout began this week at all branches which provide PUDO services for DPD and Evri. It is the first time in Post Office’s 360-year history that multiple carriers are available for customers when sending parcels.

Postmasters in the first phase of the rollout will this week have received invitations for their branches to start providing these services and access to training.

Post Office’s aim is to have buy-in-branch services in all 4,000 DPD branches and 2,000 Evri branches in time for the peak Christmas period but this will be dependent on the success of the first phase pilot.

DPD UK CEO Elaine Kerr said: “Buy-in-branch extends our working relationship with the Post Office and will help provide more choice and convenience for UK parcel shippers.

“DPD parcel recipients can already collect their parcels from Post Office branches and regard them as safe and trusted locations for a wide range of services.

“The new service will help reinforce the unique position the branches have and, for the first time, give face-to-face parcel customers genuine choice over how they ship.”

Evri CEO Martijn de Lange said: “We’re committed to delivering a high-quality, convenient, and reliable service and this partnership offers our cost-effective options, with great quality benefits such as tracking as standard, within the Post Office’s expansive network to reach more communities.

“We deliver over 730 million parcels each year and as well as offering domestic services, which sees us deliver to almost every household in the UK, our international services will be available at selected Post Office counters.”

According to new research commissioned by Post Office, 76 per cent of the UK population send parcels each year. More than one in three (37 per cent) tend to shop around to find the best delivery deals while almost half (48 per cent) wish there were more delivery providers available to choose from at one location when they are posting parcels.

Post Office CEO Nick Read said: “We are fundamentally transforming Post Office by introducing new mails carriers for over-the-counter sales for the first time in our 360 year history.

“This expanded partnership with DPD and Evri shows how we are disrupting the mails market to offer greater choice for customers and more opportunities for Postmasters as we build a Post Office fit for the future.”