Fastway, Ireland’s leading courier operator, has announced it is in the process of establishing its online delivery service, Parcel Connect, as a separate stand-alone business...
The move comes as the company seeks to build its Parcel Connect brand as a personalised delivery service to support online shoppers and lifestyle consumers, as it gears up for the expected surge in online shopping and delivery options for consumers this peak season. Online sales in Ireland reached €4.6bn in 2013 and are forecast to reach €5.5bn this year.
Having launched with only 300 stores last year, the network has grown substantially and now has over 1,000 Payzone agents offering Parcel Connect services, throughout every county in Ireland. The business, which has already handled over 250,000 parcels since launch last year, expects volumes to double over the next 12 months.
One of the key features of the new mobile optimised ParcelConnect.ie website is the ability for customers to use the newly launched Parcel Connect Virtual Address service. By registering for this service, customers can avail of free UK delivery into Parcel Connect’s Northern Ireland depot address and simply pay the lower cost of having parcels delivered to the local Payzone store. The new Virtual Address service is an innovative solution that also helps customers overcome the difficulties and frustrations experienced when particular retailers do not facilitate shipments directly to the Republic of Ireland. The service can also be used to avoid missing home deliveries as customers can collect every parcel from their local shop at a time that suits them.
Commenting on these latest announcements and plans, Danny Hughes, CEO at Parcel Connect, said: “Ireland isn’t moving online, it has already moved. Consumers and traders alike are crafting methods of shopping and selling online in ways that revolve around their lifestyles and needs. But frustrations still remain, and that’s why we’re so excited about supporting these customers with innovative new services that give complete flexibility, simplicity and peace of mind at a cost effective price. Our relentless commitment to providing the perfect online experience, together with the partnerships we have forged with Payzone and online retailer brands such as Littlewoods Ireland, ASOS and MissGuided is proving to be a winning combination that will see Parcel Connect become an inherent part of Irish people’s everyday lives.”
Speaking on behalf of Payzone, Jim Deignan, managing director said: “The Parcel Connect service was born from a need to reduce the barriers for consumers around missed home deliveries and problematic costly returns. Leveraging the local Payzone retail network, consumers now have a more convenient, safe, reliable and cost effective delivery option to support their online shopping experiences. We look forward to significantly increasing the volume of transactions across our network throughout the country by end of 2015, supporting our local communities in towns, cities and rural locations and working with Parcel Connect to build out the portfolio of retail brands that sign up to this latest online delivery platform.”
Launched at the end of 2013, Parcel Connect allows online shoppers and small businesses to send, collect and return parcels via local Payzone branded convenience stores nationwide; a strategic offering designed to merge with one’s lifestyle:
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Send – Enabling customers across Ireland to send parcels from their local store or home address - No more waiting in the post office
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Collect – Offering customers the option of collecting their goods from their local convenience store at a time that suits them - No more missed deliveries
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Return – Providing customers with the option to send back goods to online retailers from their local store - No more costly charges
Customers can find their nearest Parcel Connect / Payzone outlet by logging on to www.parcelconnect.ie
About Payzone:
Headquartered in Sandyford, Payzone Group operates one of Europe’s largest branded payments networks, delivering a wide range of payment services in four European countries including Ireland, the UK, Greece and Romania. Over 150 million transactions are processed annually throughout the Payzone Group. In Ireland Payzone is the largest consumer payments network in the country with over 2,500 branded retail agents which process a variety of electronic transactions services, including mobile phone top ups, debit/credit card transactions; M50 motorway toll payments; Leap travel cards, local property tax payments, parking fees, pre-paid utility and parcel collection services. The company employs close to 550 people across Europe approx. 100 of whom are based in its Sandyford head office in Dublin. Payzone’s focus is on delivering leading edge payment services that drive greater efficiency for clients and increased revenues for its retail partners. As industry leader, Payzone's technology credentials, capabilities and expertise are a particular strength of the business.
Article Published: 28/10/2014