Delivered UK opens new parcel facility as surge in online shopping continues across Thames Valley and Middlesex
- The opening comes following significant growth for the business in the last quarter of 2020.
- The new depot allows the company to better serve SME customers across the region at a time where high demand for delivery services continues.
- Notable growth seen across local food and drink SMEs as shoppers find new ways of sourcing goods they rely on.
Delivered UK, part of The APC network - the largest independent parcel delivery network in the UK - has opened a new operational parcel depot at Perth Trading Estates, Slough. The opening comes following significant growth for the business at its existing depot in Slough - having recorded 25% overall growth in the last quarter of 2020 - spurred by a continued surge in online shopping across the region amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new depot provides 5,000 sq. ft. of premium warehouse space, allowing the business to build on its Overnight, Sameday and International parcel collection and delivery service offerings to local businesses across all SL and UB postcodes, supporting their growth, and through the nationwide coverage of the APC network, enabling them to reach an ever expanding national customer base.
Adam Barber, Director at Delivered UK, said: “It’s so encouraging to see that businesses across the region have continued to thrive, despite the challenges in the last year, with customers proving their resilience and entrepreneurialism.
At a time when SMEs across the region are still having to adapt their businesses and accelerate their online presence, we are dedicated to supporting this resilience, providing them with improved service options to help them flourish in the years ahead. Our new local depot is perfectly placed to grow and serve the region’s burgeoning SME community, ensuring they have a local team on hand, working hard in partnership with them, to support their business and customers.”
Today, Delivered UK has an employed workforce of 91 across the business and has just recruited two additional sales support staff in the local area, in order to meet continued demand from the region’s thriving SME community.
Across the region, Delivered UK’s top 10 customers have achieved an average of 103% growth between July to December 2020. Among these customers, the food and drink sector has shown the most significant growth locally, as consumers have found new ways of sourcing products they depend on through the pandemic, and in turn many SMEs have quickly adapted their business models to meet demands.
One example of this is local business and award winning manufacturer of curry pastes and spice blends, Shemin’s. Following the closure of restaurants during last year’s lockdown the Ascot based business quickly adapted its business model, supplying directly to smaller independent food outlets and also investing in its online and social media presence to supply directly to consumers, supporting changes in shopping habits. As a result of its agility Shemin’s saw a surge in online orders - resulting in 50% consignment growth in the last six months - ensuring that through an online presence and local delivery service provided by Delivered UK, it could continue to supply its customers across the region and the rest of the UK.
Jonathan Smith, Chief Executive at APC Overnight, said:
“The strength and resilience of the UK’s SMEs throughout the ongoing pandemic should not go unnoticed. As we start 2021, we expect to see further demand for delivery services, as consumers continue to shop online and businesses continue to rely on carriers to get these items delivered. The ongoing dedication and hard work of our colleagues at Delivered UK will be key to supporting this, ensuring that the needs of customers are recognised, and working hard in partnership with them to ensure those needs are met.”
About The APC
- The APC’s network is unique – it is the UK's largest parcel delivery network, owned and run by over 100 independent local delivery and collection specialists. The business has been committed to supporting and providing excellent service to its many SME customers since 1994, ensuring that across its network, customers will always talk to someone local to them.
- The APC is proud to be featured in the 2020 Sunday Times PwC Top Track 250 as one of Britain’s leading mid-market private companies with the biggest sales.
- The APC was awarded a RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) Silver Health & Safety Award in 2019, following its RoSPA bronze award in 2018.