Parcel delivery company DPD has announced plans to open its own parcel shop network later this year. Called DPD PickUp, it will create 22 new jobs initially, and has ambitious plans to create a nationwide network of 2,500 outlets.
The plans were announced at the official opening of the head office of the new division in Stoke. The building was unveiled by DPD CEO Dwain McDonald and Stoke City player Peter Odemwingie.
DPD also announced the Numark Pharmacists chain as the first member of the new network, with further announcements to follow.
“Our aim is to offer a collect and return service with a difference,” said DPD’s CEO Dwain McDonald. “We’re looking to give DPD PickUp customers an outstanding service experience – from the communication at purchase about their delivery options, right through to the PickUp shop environment and the service they receive there – which means working with high quality retail outlets who share our customer service ethos.”
DPD has highlighted three key benefits for users of PickUp:
- The option to deliver to the nearest DPD PickUp point will be offered at the point of sale, as a convenient alternative to a DPD home delivery.
- A DPD PickUp delivery will be one of the ‘in-flight’ options available in DPD’s text and email notifications ahead of a scheduled home delivery. So if customers aren’t going to be at home they can divert their delivery to a DPD PickUp point at any time before the delivery is made.
- Customers can manage any returns via their local DPD PickUp
Last year, DPD was singled out by polls in Which? and MoneySavingExpert. Earlier this month, it announced it was helping set up a business incubator to find start-up businesses to develop the home delivery innovations of the future.
Construction of DPD’s new £100m parcel hub at Hinckley in the East Midlands is now complete. The facility, which will be the largest of its kind in Europe, is on schedule to open later this year, creating another 1,000 permanent full-time jobs.
