Royal Mail is trialling evening deliveries for people living within the M25.
Currently Greater London-based shoppers ordering from House of Fraser and L’Occitane can choose an evening delivery option, for delivery between 6pm and 10pm. Royal Mail is talking to other retailers about joining the six-month trial.
Mike Brown, Royal Mail fulfillment director, said: “Royal Mail is continually looking at ways in which we can invest in new services and innovations to help both retailers and shoppers have even greater choice over the delivery of items.”
Robin Terrell, executive director of multichannel and international for House of Fraser, said: “Royal Mail’s evening delivery initiative fits perfectly with our strategy and allows us to offer our customers living within the M25 yet another option when deciding how they wish to receive their online orders.”
Kevin Cooper, ecommerce and mail order director at L’Occitane, said: “We always strive to offer our customers with the widest choice of delivery options as we know to them convenience is of the utmost importance. This new initiative from Royal Mail allows us to give our customers the maximum flexibility when ordering from us – putting them at the absolute centre of our online experience.”
Recent research by Royal Mail found 58% of people said flexible delivery options would encourage them to shop online.
Royal Mail has also extended opening times for more than 600 delivery offices until 8pm on Wednesdays for people to collect parcels that could not be delivered during the day.
David Smith, managing director of IMRG, said: “Following on from extending their delivery office opening hours earlier in the year, we are pleased to see that Royal Mail is continuing to investigate ways it can help retailers provide their customers with greater choice and control over delivery, resulting in a more positive online shopping experience.”
