DPD shoppers can pick up orders at Doddle shops

The 35 parcel stores of Doddle will join the pickup network from DPD on June 22, which enables customers in the United Kingdom to pick up their DPD-delivered parcels at Doddle stores in railway stations and popular shopping centers.

Doddle is a joint venture between Network Rail and entrepreneur Lloyd Dorfman. This network of parcel shops was launched in September 2014 and wants around a hundred stores by the end of this year. It can at least expect more customers walking in their current stores, as Doddle has joined the DPD Pickup network. This click and collect service of DPD will launch later this month, on June 22.

The international parcel delivery company wants to build a network of 2,500 parcel shops around the country. According to logistics website Post & Parcel, DPD said that Pickup “aims to transform ‘collect and return’ by truly integrating it into the purchasing and delivery processes and offering customers a greatly improved parcel shop experience”. DPD Pickup will be one of the options consumers may choose from whenever they get a text or email notification, which are sent to them ahead of a scheduled home delivery.

Pickup points within five minutes of most Londoners
“Doddle is a great fit with DPD Pickup and I’m delighted to be able to offer their service as part of our network”, says DPD’s CEO Dwain McDonald. “We set out to give our customers a much better parcel shop experience and that’s exactly what Doddle does.” He continues by saying DPD wants to have pickup points located within five minutes of most people in London and Doddle’s location could certainly help with that goal. “Their shops are accessible, easy to use and have the capacity to handle very large volumes of parcels. When you couple that with our Predict and Follow My Parcel services you get a very smart proposition indeed, and a great customer experience.”

Halfords and the Rowlands and Numark Pharmacy chains already joined the DPD Pickup network in January. Further retail partners are likely to be announced in the coming weeks, so consumers can pick up orders at 2,500 different points across the country.