March/April 2003

Carrier Lynx Express is working with French-owned catalogue retail giant RedCats to establish a home delivery service using agency couriers to handle the last-mile element. Lynx managing director David Burtenshaw says that the service aims to target "the quality end of the mass market".

Lynx has already worked with RedCats to set up an agency service for the retailer's own UK business, which includes Empire Stores, and its new service will use RedCats agents, even for goods consigned by other customers. Lynx will handle the trunk element, dropping off product for final delivery by the couriers.

Local couriers, who are often individuals using their own cars, can offer much greater penetration of urban areas than typical parcels companies, and tend to pick up local knowledge about the comings and goings of customers; so non-deliveries are drastically reduced.

Trials are due to start after Easter in Coventry, Leeds, Swansea and Reading, and if successful will be extended elsewhere.