Amazon trials partnership with Collect+

Amazon has begun expanding its offline presence in the U.K. by allowing customers to have their orders delivered to thousands of small local stores across the country.

The scheme, currently running as a trial, will see items including books and clothes delivered to around 5,000 corner shops and newsagents, the Telegraph reports. If it proves successful, it will be rolled out nationwide.

The pilot sees Internet giant teaming up with courier company Collect+, which already works with retailers including eBay, Topshop, Asda and Asos.

Collect+ works by allowing customers to send or receive parcels from local shops, rather than having them delivered to their home at times when they're unlikely to be around to receive them.

Amazon customers will also be able to use the scheme, managed by payments company PayPoint, to return any unwanted items, according to the Telegraph.

To find the nearest store that's part of the scheme, Amazon customers can use the search facility on the Collect+ website.

Source : Charlie Osborne – CNET
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57495134-93/amazon-to-let-u.k-customers-pick-up-orders-from-their-local-shop/