Clipper Logistics and the John Lewis Partnership have formed a joint venture company to formalise their Click and Collect partnership.

The venture, funded equally by the two parties, will be run by Clipper Logistics which will provide next day delivery into stores from online orders.

John Lewis will provide the operation with “expertise and insight into the retail market”.

The companies began rolling out Click and Collect services to 120 Waitrose stores in 2015, which recently increased to 300 stores nationwide.

John Lewis will remain a customer of the Click and Collect service, but the joint venture will also provide its services for other customers.

The operation focuses on meeting the growing demand for online shopping, and provides services including text messages to end customers, integration with retailers’ customer service systems and “retailer friendly” timed deliveries.

As of 30 April 2016, the joint company’s assets were valued at £3.4m.

Steve Parkin, executive chairman of Clipper, said: "This is a truly ground-breaking development which will revolutionise the provision of Click and Collect services to the high street in Britain.

“We are delighted to have worked closely with our partners, John Lewis, to research and develop this unique service proposition which will address directly the challenges posed to retailers in this rapidly growing area of activity.”

Clipper signed a 10-year deal with John Lewis earlier this year, to provide retail support from its Northampton DC. The operator bought its 500,000ft² site in Grange Park specifically for its work with John Lewis.

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