Autumn 2008

Parcel Country, the home shopping delivery solutions company, has launched a trial roll-out in Hertfordshire, confirming its intention to start operations this autumn (F&E, issue 48).

The company aims to recruit thousands of home shopping 'community recipients', who will take in deliveries for nearby consumers and hold them for collection, charging a modest fee for each instance (the initial rate is £1.50 per consignment). Some recipients could also offer a delivery service later.

Shoppers register to use the system, and then quote a recipient's address as their delivery point when buying online. They can find a suitable recipient from the company's web site.

The company is targeting both small businesses and private individuals as potential recipients, and says existing community organisations such as clubs, nurseries and even schools could also participate.

 

Co-founder John Walker, formerly head of strategy for John Lewis, told F&E that the company will be focusing initially on recruiting recipients, and will then follow up by promoting the service to shoppers, working on an area-by-area basis.