Yodel launches first ever parcel collections for consumers,

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Yodel launches first ever parcel collections for consumers, SMEs

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UK parcel carrier Yodel has launched a new consumer-to-consumer delivery service – YodelDirect.

The service means that for the first time, the Hatfield-based national parcel operator will collect from homes and individuals, rather than just businesses.

The company is offering next-day or two-day delivery options, fully tracked and with proof of delivery, as well as insurance up to the value of £20 as standard.

Yodel, which handles more than 150m parcels a year, is best known for its e-commerce deliveries in the UK.

The new YodelDirect service competes with rival carriers’ consumer offerings including the myHermes service from Hermes and the iPostParcels service from UK Mail, as well as the Royal Mail’s parcel services.

Yodel said the new service would allow small businesses as well as consumers to arrange for a Yodel driver to collect one or more parcels from homes or offices for delivery to friends, family or businesses across the country – with no minimum volume requirement as in Yodel’s established business services.

Dick Stead, the executive chairman at Yodel, said the launch of the service came in response to public demand.

“While many people, particularly online shoppers, may be familiar with receiving parcels via Yodel, this is the first time that they can directly access our service to send parcels themselves,” he said.

“The launch of YodelDirect opens up a whole new market and makes Yodel’s services available not just to consumers wanting to send a birthday present, but also to online marketplace sellers, entrepreneurs and small businesses. It’s a hassle-free alternative for busy people who don’t have time to wait in a Post Office queue.”

Online

Yodel has set up a new website to allow collections to be booked online, with the capabilities to generate address labels and barcodes that can be printed off by customers for attaching to their packages.

The company promised a simple pricing structure for its new service, as well as the offer of discounts that increase with the number of packages being collected at any one time. Collections and delivery starts from £8.99 plus VAT for two-day delivery, or £5.49 plus VAT for a second parcel, and £11.99 plus VAT for next-day delivery.

Yodel said orders placed before 10pm will be collected the next working day, with pick-up confirmed by email. Collections are made from 7am to 7pm.

Describing itself as the second-largest parcel delivery business in the UK after Royal Mail, Yodel generates annual revenues of about £535m, with a fleet of 5,000 vans.

The company rebranded from the Home Delivery Network in 2010, after acquiring the domestic B2B and B2C parcels businesses of DHL in the UK.