Pass My Parcel

Pass My Parcel to cease tradingConnect Group PLC, the parent company of Smiths News, has announced plans to close Pass My Parcel, its click and collect distribution arm.Despite recent growth from new customers and the introduction of returns services, the business has continued to incur substantial losses.Launched in 2014, Pass My Parcel’s operation was founded on the Smith News network and delivered parcels to 3000 local retailers across the UK. Delivery clients included Amazon, ASOS, H&M and Disney. The business had hoped to win a substantial share of the growing click & collect market and provide a complementary income stream for both Smiths News and local retailers.Outlining the decision to close, Stuart Godman, Connect Group’s Commercial Director said, ‘It’s hugely disappointing when a new venture doesn’t succeed, but the level of losses is unsustainable, and to continue would potentially compromise investment in our core news distribution service.’Smiths News plans to cease operations and will be writing to parcel shop retailers in the coming weeks to confirm the next steps.Stuart Godman explained. ‘We are in discussion with our key clients to ensure we can wind down operations in a professional and orderly fashion. It’s a complex task and we know it’s vital that our parcel shop retailers are kept fully informed. We’ll be contacting all our partners very shortly with details of our plans; in the meantime we will continue to service customer deliveries and returns as usual.’