PayPoint reported a 72% increase in people using its Collect+ parcel returns service on 25 December. 

In total, 729 people used the service at their local convenience store to return parcels on Christmas Day, alongside 175,000 transactions, including topping up electricity and paying rent. 

Retailers who stayed open during the festive period experienced a sales uplift. Samantha Coldbeck, of Wharfdale Convenience in Hull, opened on New Year’s Day. “Sales were 14% up on last year, with most going on milk, bread, alcohol and tobacco,” she said. “We had a flow of customers between 7am and 10am, then a steady stream until close.”

Ferhan Ashiq, of Day-Today Ashiqs store in Prestonpans, also saw a 13% sales uplift between 8am and 9pm. 

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