Post Office to collect home shopping returns beyond its own premises in new trials

The Post Office is trialling new drop-off points beyond its own branch network where shoppers can return online orders at the time that suits them.

More than 150 new drop-off points in locations including garages and convenience stores are involved in the new pilot, using the Royal Mail Pre-Paid Returns service. The new locations, which are often open from early till late and seven days a week, add to the 11,500 Post Office branches that already offer the service and are intended to make returns easier over the peak Christmas period.

Martin George, chief commercial officer at the Post Office, said: “Around one in ten online orders are returned so retailers need to ensure they provide a convenient, easy and reliable returns network. It’s a growing market and one in which the Post Office, through its unrivalled reach, is the market leader.

“We know people want the flexibility to choose where and when they return home shopping orders. We have the UK’s largest and most trusted returns network. Through trialling these new drop off points we want to make it easier for even more people to access our network by giving greater choice when returning items.”

Nick Landon, managing director of Royal Mail Parcels , said: “Post Office’s trial supports Royal Mail’s drive to be customer responsive and provide more options for our parcel customers, including online shoppers. Online shoppers want as easy a returns experience as possible.”