21st May 2014 09:36
LONDON (Alliance News) - Royal Mail Group PLC Wednesday said it will pilot a Sunday afternoon parcel collection service from its busiest delivery offices this summer, a move that comes in the wake of its recent deal with unions that got agreement that staff would be more flexible in their working practices.
In a statement, the company said the pilot would be run at about 100 of its delivery offices with the highest parcel volumes, meaning they're open for collection seven days a week. It will also trial a parcel delivery service in London, within the M25 motorway.
It said the move would make it easier for online shoppers who work during the week to be able to collect their parcels.
The decision comes as many retailers are reporting a big uptake of click-and-collect services, whereby shoppers buy online and then collect the goods from their nearest store at a time that's convenient.
Royal Mail said that its express parcels business, Parcelforce Worldwide, will also launch a Sunday delivery service in June for online shoppers through participating e-retailers. The service will be available to contract customers across the UK.
?Through these new Sunday services we are exploring ways to improve our flexibility and provide more options for people to receive items they have ordered online. The support of the Communication Workers Union has enabled us to respond quickly to a changing market, underlining the importance of the ground-breaking Agenda for Growth agreement,? Royal Mail Chief Executive Moya Greene said in a statement.
Royal Mail shares were up 0.7% at 573.50 pence Wednesday morning.
By Steve McGrath; [email protected]; @stevemcgrath1
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