PayPoint and Royal Mail owner take 49% stake in Collect+

PayPoint and Royal Mail’s parent company International Distribution Services (IDS) have announced a £43.9m investment in Collect+, taking a 49% share in the parcel network.

Collect+ has more than 14,000 out-of-home locations across the UK. Around 8,000 of these already handle Royal Mail parcel collections, returns and drop-offs.

From 30 September 2025, 500 of the sites will also offer over-the-counter postage sales, with Royal Mail branding set to be introduced across the wider network from October.

PayPoint retailers set for parcel boost with Royal Mail

Over the following year, Royal Mail services are due to expand across Collect+ stores, including the introduction of self-service kiosks from early 2026.

Nick Wiles, chief executive of PayPoint, said: “The addition of Royal Mail over the counter services and Royal Mail Shop branding is an exciting development for our retailer network and is another example of how we deliver vital community services across the UK, including local banking, parcels and broader access to cash services.”

Alistair Cochrane, interim chief executive of Royal Mail, added: “The launch of the Royal Mail Shop brand creates a new and improved high street destination for all of our customers’ parcel needs in one location. With postage available to buy in store, and opening hours including evening and weekends, the shops are giving customers greater flexibility in how they collect, send and return their parcels.”

Royal Mail has long-term commercial agreement with the Post Office until 2032.

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