UK postal customers can now choose other parcel carriers over the counter. This comes after research commissioned by the post office that shows 76% of the population sent parcels last year. But 40% admit sending parcels can be stressful. Almost half (48%) wish there were more delivery providers available to choose from at one location.
DPD and Evri will partner with the UK Post Office and Royal Mail Group. The buy-in-branch parcel service will begin in selected branches in time for the peak Christmas delivery season. Parcel carriers DPD and Evri have been chosen for this new service as they have the UK’s largest network.
A first in UK postal history
Post office customers can walk up to a counter in select branches and choose to send their parcels with DPD or Evri, depending on which carrier suits their needs best. This new service will widen the choice for postal customers and give them peace of mind knowing packages will arrive safely.
Post Office CEO Nick Read says the company is transforming the business by introducing new mail carriers – for the first time in 360 years. “This expanded partnership with DPD and Evri shows how we are disrupting the mail market to offer greater choice for customers and more opportunities for Postmasters as we build a Post Office fit for the future,” he says.
CEO at DPD UK, Elaine Kerr, says the buy-in-branch will help provide more choices 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 helps provide customer convenience
Evri launched in March 2022 following a successful rebrand from Hermes UK.
CEO at Evri, Martijn de Lange, says the company is committed to delivering a high-quality, convenient, and reliable service, and the new partnership offers cost-effective options. “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, he says.”
UK postal service market
Mordor Intelligence reports the UK postal service market is estimated to achieve good growth in the next five years. “The United Kingdom courier, express, and parcel (CEP) market is growing with the increasing number of same-day delivery transactions. Due to the powerful digital trends driving the market, the United Kingdom and Italy have been the fastest-growing markets in the European region. The key market players are continuously reinventing the post and parcel industry with technology-driven innovations.”
About the author
Sharl is a qualified journalist. He has over 10 years’ experience in the media industry, including positions as an editor of a magazine and Business Editor of a daily newspaper. Sharl also has experience in logistics specifically operations, where he worked with global food aid organisations distributing food into Africa. Sharl enjoys writing business stories and human interest pieces.
