Australia Post has partnered with fulfilment technology provider, Doddle, to extend its network of collect and return locations across the country. The network currently consists of over 4,300 post offices, 15,500 street post boxes and parcel lockers in more than 350 locations.

Australia Post Collect & Return offers various locations for consumers to collect and return online orders in addition to post offices and 24/7 parcel lockers, including supermarkets, pharmacies and department stores.

The network of retail partners includes IGA supermarkets, Priceline pharmacies and Aventus Group large format shopping centres with additional partners expected in the new year.

When completing their order online, customers will be able to select a location at checkout and notifications will be sent when parcels are ready for collection. The first merchants include Booktopia and Peters of Kensington which will make new locations available in online checkouts in early 2020.

Australia Post general manager – parcel and express services, Ben Franzi said it was about making online shopping even easier.

“We are determined to provide services that make online shopping more seamless and easier to access. We are excited to be working with Doddle and retail partners to give customers the flexibility they have been after with the ability to collect and return parcels when and where it suits them.”

Doddle Asia Pacific CEO, Justin Dery said that combining Australia Post’s delivery network with Doddle’s parcel collect and return technology creates a major change in the Australian ecommerce delivery landscape.

“Pick up services are the fastest growing delivery option and with 35% of Australian consumers picking up an online order last year, the market potential is huge. We look forward to working with Australia Post to provide greater convenience to consumers and support online retailers with delivery solutions that drive customer loyalty.”