Spring 2010

MyParcel, the upmarket unattended delivery service, has been suspended by its founder, Hugo Rose, who says the business and technology are available for sale.

MyParcel's original proposition was to allow consumers to have deliveries sent to self-storage warehouse locations, which had the benefits of late opening and constant attended service. It set up a modest network in the London area, offering what Rose described as a 'boutique' drop-off service for higher-priced consignments.

Later the company attempted to expand into the high street, and at one point is believed to have been on the verge of signing up a business with a nationwide retail network to provide franchised outlets; but the deal fell through.

Rose says his main reason for pulling out of the market is lack of funding, but he also feels the online retail landscape is changing, and that timed deliveries and collect-at-store options are reducing the need for staffed drop-off points.

 

MyParcel made a particular point of developing integration software to enable retailers to embed alternative delivery options in their consumer web sites easily, and Rose told F&E that he would be prepared to sell this as a self-standing product, or in combination with the business as a whole.