InPost have signed a multi-brand deal with N Brown Group, covering their JD Williams, Simply Be, Jacamo and Figleaves operations, enabling shoppers to return unwanted purchases via InPost’s automated locker network.
The service will be rolled out across the N Brown Group portfolio whose other brands include Fashion World, The Brilliant Gift Shop, Ambrose Wilson, Feel Good Essentials, Fifty Plus, High & Mighty, House of Bath, Marisota, Oxendales and Premier Man.
All a customer wishing to make a return needs to do is print a label from the retailers returns page, attach it to their parcel and drop it off at their preferred locker.
InPost Network
InPost’s network of over 1000 lockers located up and down the UK mean that people can easily build returning a parcel into their daily routine – especially as they’re fully automated and accessible any time of the day or night.
InPost had a bit of a rough end to the last year when their main courier City Link went into administration on Christmas day. It’s great to see the regroup and come back stronger than ever with expansion plans and signing large deals.
Retailer returns strategies
What’s interesting about this deal is that retailers are starting to offer a range of return options so that the customer can pick the one that fits in best with their schedule. In addition to InPost Lockers, most of the N Brown Group also offer courier collection, myHermes ParcelShop and Royal Mail via the Post Office for sending back returns.
With a range of return options, consumers can then pick the method that’s most convenient and InPost offers a drop off which takes about 7 seconds and is open 24 hours a day to other solutions which involve waiting in for a courier or visiting the Post Office or a drop off point during shop opening hours.
Just a few years ago most retailers only offered one method and speed of delivery. Now we expect to pick the most convenient delivery service to suit us from a menu of choices. Returns are moving to the same paradigm which is let the consumer choose the method that they prefer to make the process as frictionless as possible.
