Blog: Hermes teams up with Co-op for click-and-collect service

My colleagues and I have written about a number of exciting developments at Hermes. These include a significant investment in state-of-the-art handheld devices for our couriers, the construction of a new superhub in the Midlands and the launch of our ETA Service, which provides consumers with a time window for deliveries.

These initiatives have been carefully planned, developed and executed to improve the level of service we provide to both the UK’s retail industry and the end consumer. They will play a key role in our ongoing ambition to bring premium features to a standard service.

The Hermes team is also striving for a 100% first-time delivery rate. While much of the focus has been based around the Hermes service, we have also invested heavily in the myHermes ParcelShop network. Just like our couriers, each of the 4,500 outlets will be equipped with a new handheld device, boasting impressive functionality. We can also now reveal that we have just secured a partnership with Co-operative Food, one of the most recognisable brands on the UK high street.

MyHermes ParcelShop’s click-and-collect service will be offered at more than 450 of the retailer’s outlets nationwide, following a successful pilot across 42 stores last year. As a result, millions of Co-op customers will be able to pick up their online purchases from leading retailers such as H&M, JD Williams and River Island.

In addition, shoppers needing to send returns back to such retailers as Asos, Debenhams and John Lewis will be able to do so from the outlets. Consumers will also be able to utilise the cost-effective myHermes service to send parcels from the stores.

This new agreement focuses on providing added choice to online shoppers and means the Co-op will become one of our biggest business partners

This new agreement focuses on providing added choice to online shoppers and means the Co-op will become one of our biggest business partners. We also believe this deal will be highly convenient to the UK’s millions of commuters, providing the chance to collect parcels while picking up something for dinner after a long drive or train journey home.

Hermes is proud to be an industry-leading consumer delivery specialist. However, we now have an ongoing responsibility to look beyond traditional home delivery and seek other ways to help online shoppers receive their parcels. This new partnership broadens our portfolio of services, enhances choice and convenience, and satisfies the needs of the increasingly busy online shopper.

• Joanne Morley is head of marketing at Hermes