Deutsche Post DHL is to take over the operation of Smiths News’ parcel shop network, through its subsidiary UK Mail.
It comes after the two companies reached agreement on a transition plan for the network. UK Mail will trade as DHL Parcel UK Limited from today (1 October 2018) after announcing it was to rebrand in July.
Smiths News and DHL Parcel UK will work together over the coming months to support the parcel shop operators as the new service from DHL Parcel UK is introduced. It will replace the Pass My Parcel service which previously operated through the network and is closing. It is expected that the transition will be completed by June 2019.
The move comes after Connect Group, which owns Smiths News, announced it was to close the Pass My Parcel service and wind down the associated parcel shop network in June after increasing costs.
Peter Fuller, CEO of UK Mail, said “We are fully committed to the maintenance and growth of the parcel shop network and look forward to working in partnership towards a period of sustained growth”.
Jonathan Bunting, Connect Group chief operating officer, said, “We are delighted to have been able to reach this agreement with DHL who are committed to grow the network. We have received great support from all of our parcel shop partners and we are pleased that they will continue to provide and benefit from this service with DHL”.
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