- guardian.co.uk, Thursday 27 July 2000 00.00 BST
Local convenience stores are to be repositioned at the heart of the online shopping revolution if a nationwide pilot scheme proves successful.
Internet shopping fulfilment specialist M-box said yesterday that convenience store chains including Spar, Londis, Costcutter and Bells Stores had agreed to act as pick-up points from where internet shoppers can receive parcels.
The trial service aims to solve the problem faced by customers who shop online but are at work when the goods can be delivered to their homes. M-box hopes the initiative will enable customers to pick up the goods from their local convenience shop on their way to or from work.
The firm already has a delivery agreement for smaller packages with Express Dairies. Domino's Pizza, with 205 stores in Britain and Ireland, has previously delivered computer games to peoples' homes on behalf of Gameplay.
Around 1,000 local shops will take part in the M-box trial. If the service is a success it will be rolled out to around 10,000 stores.
Geoff Web, chief executive of M-box, said stores would know in advance what was coming in and when it was arriving.
M-box sells its services to online retailers, allowing customers to receive their goods by parcel delivery, milkmen, convenience stores or motorbike express couriers.
