Newspaper and magazine distributor Smiths News has begun a partnership with Amazon to offer online shoppers a same-day parcel collection service.
The newspaper wholesaler and logistics firm will utilise its vehicle fleet after deliveries of print products have been made to deliver parcels into click and collect stores.
Amazon says this is the first time it has been able to offer a same-day collection service, which will allow shoppers to order as late as 11.45am for collection from 4pm on the same day.
The service, called Pass My Parcel, will go live this autumn at 500 newsagents and convenience stores. Smiths plans to have up to 1,000 wholly-owned parcelshops nationwide, which will be serviced from its 12 DCs.
The operator, which holds O-licences for 535 vehicles, will make deliveries of same-day and next-day delivery orders into Pass my Parcel stores twice a day.
Jonathan Bunting, MD of Smiths News parent Connect News & Media said: “We are delighted with the progress we have made on our diversification strategy over the last 12 months. We have worked closely with Amazon to create Pass My Parcel, and we are excited about the future potential of this business.”
Amazon now has over 6,000 click and collect locations across the UK, including Collect+ stores and Amazon lockers.
Amazon.co.uk MD Christopher North said: “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.”
It comes as a new report by Barclays found many logistics providers view the rise of click and collect as a threat to their businesses.
