Amazon’s click and collection service has recently debuted in the UK. The online retail giant has reportedly turned over 5000 small shops and newsagents into local pick up centres for Amazon UK customers.
In the USA mazon has already started a service in which people can pick up their parcels from local 7-Elevens, and its success has prompted the company to extend the service to other areas around the globe where the same service is demanded.
The main type of consumer Amazon UK is aiming at is those where their personal schedule conflicts with the delivery schedule of Amazon products. Thus consumers can collect parcels whenever it suits them (as long as the shop is still open) as opposed to being forced into the usual 9 to 5 delivery slot that Amazon UK offer on most orders – when most people will be working.
Amazon also very recently introduced the Collect+ service in the UK too which allows customers to return goods at local shops. Reportedly, a network of 4,900 stores are on board including Spar and Costcutter.
This symbolic relationship between the online world of retail and local retail shops looks set to give both sectors a boost as customers are more likely to spend in their local shops when they collect or return parcels there.
