Countrywide Farmers becomes early Doddle customer

Countrywide Farmers has become one of the first UK retailers to offer the option of Doddle delivery to its customers.

The supplier of products and services to the rural community says that its customers are more likely to be working outside when deliveries arrive, making it more convenient for them to pick up from a nearby railway station, where Doddle’s parcel collection shops will be found.

The retailer has so far trialled the service through Doddle’s Milton Keynes pilot shop. Doddle now plans to open 300 stores across the UK, including, first, London Cannon Street and London Waterloo as well as Brighton, Three Bridges, Bromley and Chelmsford.

Brian McArdle, online channel manager at Countrywide, said: “As each Doddle parcel shop opens, Countryside customers will be able to have their items delivered to those locations. The majority of Countrywide customers are based in the rural community and subsequently spend a great deal of time living and working outside, which proves to be inconvenient when it comes to home deliveries. We have for some time been looking at various solutions to this challenge to ensure customers receive greater flexibility and value when shopping online with Countrywide.”

Shoppers will be able to use the service on items that weigh less than 16kg, and measure less than 50x50x40cm.

“The Doddle service will complement and enhance the existing delivery options already open to people shopping online with Countrywide Farmers,” said Tim Robinson, chief executive of Doddle. “Our dedicated shops are open seven days a week, early until late, which means they fit in perfectly with people that spend large parts of the day away from home.”