Yodel launches C2C delivery service via former Collect+ parcel shop network

Yodel has launched a new C2C parcels service, enabling consumers to send parcels up to 10kg either to Yodel Direct parcel shops or to a recipient's home address. In both cases the sender must drop the parcel at a parcel shop run by one of the 350 retail chains in the Yodel Direct  (formerly Collect+) network.

Once a customer has booked a delivery at yodeldirect.co.uk, they can either print a label to print at home or take a QR code to print a label in store.

As soon as their package has been picked up, customers can track their orders via Yodel Direct’s website.

The new service is in response to the growing number of people who have been turning their hobbies into businesses during the lockdown, with London being the most popular location for people set up their online ventures.

Yodel’s customer feedback system, Have Your Say, receives approximately 80,000 responses every week, which the company takes on board in order to continuously improve its delivery experience.

Mike Hancox, CEO of Yodel, said: “We are thrilled to be able to open our services up to consumers through Yodel Direct, which will offer an easy and efficient way to ship and deliver parcels in a few simple steps. We’re industry leaders in the parcel market and identified an opportunity to expand our offering and extend our trusted services to a new audience.

"With our home delivery expertise, extensive network of couriers and skills in handling specialist parcels, customers are safe in the knowledge that their parcels are in good hands. We will continue delivering a high-quality experience to our customers across the country.”

Yodel handled 190m parcels last year, a 30% increase in volume on 2019. In a trading update issued in April Yodel said it would return to being “strongly profitable” in the year to June 2021. Total volumes in the nine months to March grew by 35% and full-year revenue is projected to be £565m, compared to £430m in 2020.