In a partnership with Smiths News, part of Connect Group plc., a UK newspaper and magazine wholesaler, Amazon has launched a same-day pick-up service at 500 convenience stores and newsagents across the country.
Customers who order goods before 11.45am will be able to pick up their products at the designated locations after 4pm.
Goods ordered before 7.45pm can be collected early the next day from 6.30am onwards. For Amazon Prime customers the service will be free, while non-member will need to pay £4.99 for the express morning or same-day delivery options.
Managing Director of Amazon.co.uk Ltd. Christopher North, said:
“This is our fastest pick-up service yet. We know that Prime customers love fast delivery and the convenience to pick up their order at a time and place that suits them best. This new service brings together both of those great benefits.”
Amazon customers will be able to pick up their order on the same day at 500 shops across the UK.
Mr. North said Amazon UK has recently added several London underground stations and Birmingham International Airport to its list of pick-up locations. “Our intention is to keep rapidly adding to the many thousands of existing pick-up locations to ensure that customers all over the UK are provided with as much choice as possible when it comes to the delivery of their Amazon order,” he added.
Group Chief Executive of Connect Group plc, Mark Cashmore said:
“We are delighted to be working with Amazon at the launch of Pass my Parcel. Smiths News shares the same passion for customer service and because we visit thousands of local retailers every day, we are uniquely placed to deliver a twice daily pick up service that is second to none in speed and convenience.”
Pass My Parcel will use Smiths News’ information systems, communication and invoicing facilities and provide access to all its retail outlets that are serviced by 12 Smiths News’ depots.
Connect Group annual results
Connect Group plc., which was previously called Smiths News plc., said the FIFA World Cup football tournament helped boost business as did price rises. Underlying pre-tax profit increased by 0.2% to £50 million in the year ending August 31st 2014, from £49.9 million in the previous year. Underlying revenue rose to £1.8 billion, an increase of 0.1% on 2013.
Underlying profit at Connect News’ Media division (which includes Smiths News) rose by 8.1%. The company announced a final dividend of 6.6 pence, which was 4.8% higher than in 2013.