UK delivery company Hermes is to offer its ParcelShop click & collect service at more than 450 Co Op stores across the UK.

The two companies ran a successful pilot last year at 42 stores, and the roll out will mean that Co Op will become one of Hermes’ biggest partners for pick up and drop off services. As well as the click & collect service offered by ParcelShop, customers will be able to use the my Hermes delivery service out of the same shops.

The two companies have said that they will select which stores will offer the service based on a range of factors including location, customer demand and opening hours.

Carole Woodhead, CEO of Hermes, said: “By entering a partnership with such an established and trusted retailer like Co-op, we have further strengthened our dedicated network of 4,500 ParcelShops. This partnership focuses on convenience, with consumers being able to buy groceries whilst also sending parcels, collecting or returning their online purchases, and vice versa. With 92% of the country within two miles of an outlet, ParcelShops offer a local, useful and convenient click and collect service for retail clients.”

Chris Whitfield, the Co-op’s Retail and Logistics Director, added: “As a community retailer we are committed to enhancing the communities in which we operate. The pilot scheme clearly demonstrated that the Hermes ParcelShop service is used and appreciated by many of our customers and so we are delighted to extend it to many more stores.”

The service will benefit both partners in this venture as well as customers, as it extends the number of locations that customers can access the Hermes delivery network. The click & collect / parcel drop off system is a trend that is gaining momentum in the European delivery business as people are attracted to the convenience and price of the offering.