Better Retailing has uncovered that a number of stores within PayPoint’s CollectPlus network are providing click and collect services for FedEx following an agreement between the two companies.

Retailers told Better Retailing they began providing the service earlier this year. One explained: “We started handling FedEx parcels around a month ago, it’s now averaging around three or four parcels a week. It’s still early days and we think it will grow, especially with Christmas approaching.”

PayPoint had previously stated that it had added another carrier this year alongside Amazon and eBay, but refused to reveal the identity of the new partner.

FedEx confirmed the deal to Better Retailing, stating: “We will be issuing a press release soon and so we will not be providing you with a response.” PayPoint were approached for comment but are yet to respond.

PayPoint’s CollectPlus network includes 7,500 partnered PayPoint stores, though RN understands that not all are processing Fedex parcels. The number of CollectPlus shops being utilised as part of the new Fedex deal is unknown.

As with PayPoint’s other parcel contract wins of the last 12 months, the commission rate for stores stands at 25p per parcel, 10p less than the 35p paid to PayPoint store owners for handling Yodel parcels through the same network. When challenged on the differing rates previously, PayPoint said the higher parcel volumes and footfall attributed to the new contracts are more important than the rate of commission.

The uncovering of the Fedex deal comes two months after Better Retailing also broke the news that Amazon had signed a deal with PayPoint to allow its online customers to pick up their parcels from nearby shops. PayPoint also recently took over the failing PassMyParcel network ran by DHL.

Amazon partners with PayPoint to rollout Amazon Counter click & collect service