Shopping centre owner trials Click&Collect+

Capital & Regional, which owns a number of shopping centres, is partnering with CollectPlus, the UK’s largest

store-based parcel delivery and returns service, to trial its Click&Collect+ service in The Mall Camberley and the Kingfisher Shopping Centre, Redditch.

The trial will see both shopping centres operating Click&Collect+ hubs enabling shoppers to order goods from retailers including John Lewis and House of Fraser and have them delivered to the shopping centre. Capital & Regional are hoping that the trial will help increase footfall and potential retail spend, as well as support their existing retailers, and if a success the trial is expected to be rolled out to other shopping centres in the future.

Mark Bourgeois, executive director of Capital & Regional, said: “The click and collect trend is continuing to gain momentum. It represents a fundamental change in the way people shop and we have recognised that we must adapt to this which is why we have taken the strategic decision to partner with CollectPlus.

“Our shopping centres offer convenient, easy access to the communities they serve and by combining this with a great experience, they provide excellent pick up point locations.”

Neil Ashworth, chief executive of CollectPlus, added: “Although it is considered a relatively new retail trend, even the way that people prefer to ‘click and collect’ is evolving from pick-up points being primarily where people live, to include locations where they socialise, travel and gather.

“Our store network is made up of over 5,500 locations and it is our aim to grow this significantly. For this reason, we are delighted to establish our relationship with Capital & Regional, as it will allow us to expand our reach to community shopping centres which are well located with a strong and loyal customer base.”

CollectPlus, a joint venture between retail payment network PayPoint and parcel carrier Yodel, currently works with more than 260 retailers.