Parcel collection and delivery service Doddle, which has parcel shops at a number of National Rail stations in the South East, plans to have 300 locations open in the next three years.
The newly-established service, which is independent of any single parcel carrier and available for any operator or online retailer to deliver to or collect from, is to be launched nationwide following a successful trial at Milton Keynes Central late last year.
Doddle CEO Tim Robinson told Motortransport.co.uk that five more stores at London Waterloo, Brighton, Bromley South, Chelmsford and London Canon Street are expected to open by the end of August, with plans to have between 30 and 40 operational before Christmas.
He also hopes to bring the concept into other regions and is currently planning sites in Glasgow and Manchester Piccadilly stations, among others.
“There is a great need in logistics for consolidation centres,” said Robinson, who formerly held senior logistics roles at DB Schenker Rail and GB Railfreight. “The role of a railway station has changed a lot and there is less need for manned ticket offices and barriers.”
The service launched with it initially providing a returns service for 40,000 ASOS customers in Milton Keynes. It has since won business from New Look, Countrywide Farmers and TM Lewin.
Instead of choosing their home address, consumers can enter the address of a Doddle shop when booking a delivery or collection with a parcel carrier or retailer.
“I felt that a click and collect product that isn’t restricted to a carrier would be beneficial to consumers,” said Robinson.
Doddle has also made a significant investment in IT to ensure that its systems support carriers’ software, he added.
