Yodel by InPost News

InPost Leaps Ahead in the UK with Strategic Takeover of Yodel

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

InPost, a European leader in cutting-edge logistics for e-commerce, takes a bold leap forward in the UK market. With the acquisition of Yodel — one of the UK’s largest parcel delivery companies — InPost steps into the position of third-largest agnostic logistics player in the country. This game-changing move dramatically accelerates growth and redefines delivery in the UK by seamlessly integrating out-of-home and to-door solutions under one powerful brand.

The acquisition further consolidates InPost’s leading position in the UK e-commerce delivery market. By combining the largest out-of-home ("OOH") delivery network with Yodel's strong home delivery capabilities, InPost will scale its operations significantly, expand its service offering, and provide greater convenience to retailers and customers. Following the transaction, InPost UK’s market share increases to c. 8% and positions InPost as the third agnostic ecommerce logistics carrier in the UK. This transaction follows the successful acquisition of Menzies Distribution in October 2024, which gave InPost full control over its entire logistics process in the UK.

Under the terms of the transaction, InPost has acquired 95.5% of Judge Logistics Ltd share capital (‘JLL’), parent company of Yodel Delivery Network (‘Yodel’), with PayPoint retaining a minority stake of 4.5%. This builds on the existing partnership between Yodel and PayPoint - creating a strong future in the OOH space.

The JLL acquisition was structured as a debt-to-equity conversion, with InPost converting its existing loan to JLL into equity. Until the transaction date, InPost had provided JLL with financing amounting to £106 million in the form of convertible loan notes. InPost has a clear plan on the integration of Yodel and its goal for this deal is to be EBITDA accretive within one year.

The acquisition builds on the partnership established between InPost and Yodel in October 2024, when Yodel began providing last-mile services through InPost’s “locker-to-door” service.

Furthermore, the acquisition will allow InPost to achieve several key strategic objectives:

• Accelerated UK growth and market share expansion: Rapid increase to approximately 300 million+ parcels annually, immediately expanding its merchant base to over 700+ e-commerce stores, and approximately 8% market share, with 10,000 APMs totalling over 18,000 OOH points.

• Unique offering for merchants: through next-day to door delivery combined with the extensive out-of-home network resulting in one InPost brand delivering a comprehensive service to the UK market.

• Diversification benefits: diversifies InPost's volume by segment and geographically, with the UK contributing approximately 30% to InPost Group's revenue.

• Attractive deal economics: The acquisition presents a strategically compelling opportunity taking into account the size of investment and market share gained, enabling InPost’s long-term growth and strengthening its position in the UK market.

Rafał Brzoska, Founder, and CEO of InPost Group, commented: “This acquisition marks a pivotal milestone in InPost's journey to revolutionise the UK delivery market as well as the Group pan-European presence. We have just fast-forwarded 5 years of organic expansion in the UK and it is a clear reflection of our long-term commitment to this market, a market where we see enormous opportunity for growth. Our logistics model has transformed delivery in other European markets, and with this acquisition, we are now well positioned to do the same here.”

Neil Kuschel, CEO of InPost UK commented: “This acquisition is a game-changer for InPost’s operations in the UK. Combining doorstep deliveries with our unrivalled locker network, we are reshaping the future of parcel delivery. We will be able to provide customers and e-commerce retailers with the reliability, flexibility, and efficiency they expect. We’re excited to deliver more for the UK.”

Yodel strengthens employee wellbeing offering in partnership with the Retail Trust

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Yodel strengthens employee wellbeing offering in partnership with the Retail Trust

Independent parcel carrier Yodel has strengthened its partnership with the Retail Trust, the industry charity protecting the health and happiness of people working in retail through wellbeing support.

Supporting colleagues since 2018

The partnership which dates back to 2018, has seen the Retail Trust support almost 1,000 Yodel colleagues, equating to 34% of its workforce. This includes over 10,300 interactions across the Retail Trust’s website, helpline, and retail rewards app.

In an effort to better colleague wellbeing in its workforce, Yodel has run almost 400 online and in-person counselling sessions in collaboration with the Retail Trust, supporting with experiences like trauma, loss and anxiety. The partnership also offers helpline support, financial wellbeing advice, and financial aid, in addition to employee perks including retail discounts and rewards amounting to more than £55,000 since 2018.

Yodel also has access to the Retail Trust’s new generative AI-powered dashboard which enables employers to better respond to mental health pressures by identifying wellbeing trends and generating actionable insights. Yodel can access the Retail Trust’s happiness dashboard to monitor the effectiveness of wellbeing strategies in real time, benchmark its performance against industry standards, and report back on the financial value of wellbeing initiatives to the business and the economy.

Supporting retail workers

Yodel is now supporting the Retail’s Trust’s ’respect retail’ campaign. This looks to make a stand against abuse experienced by retail workers and provides dedicated training to help colleagues feel safer and manage challenging situations. In addition to existing internal briefings on what its colleagues should do in such scenarios, Yodel is looking to introduce formal training sessions with Retail Trust in 2025. In solidarity, Yodel’s fleet of vehicles feature stickers supporting the ‘respect retail’ campaign.

Elsewhere, Yodel has supported the Retail Trust by raising over £10,000 in a charity golf day in September 2024, with proceeds going towards helping even more retail workers.

Ali Richardson, HR Director at Yodel, said: “We are incredibly proud to strengthen our long-standing partnership with the Retail Trust, an organisation that shares our commitment to the wellbeing of our colleagues. Throughout the partnership, the Retail Trust has provided invaluable support to our team members, with great success and feedback. We look forward to rolling out further offerings and competitive benefits for our colleagues in 2025, while standing in support of the Retail Trust’s ‘respect retail’ campaign.”

Chris Brook-Carter, Chief Executive of the Retail Trust, said: “We’re helping more and more retail businesses build healthier and happier workplaces by providing their people with new tools and resources to manage their mental, physical and financial wellbeing and supporting employers to identify the right steps they need to take.
"Yodel is a great example of a logistics brand championing the health and happiness of its staff, so we are looking forward to providing everyone working there even more support this year as we continue to build on our existing partnership.”

At Yodel by InPost, we believe in fostering strong partnerships with suppliers, clients, and external stakeholders.

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Yodel by InPost procurement team plays a critical role in ensuring these relationships are mutually beneficial, driving value and success across Yodel.

Led by Jason Lowry, our Director of Procurement, the team consists of seven individuals who specialise in analysing, assessing, and negotiating with third-party suppliers. As the team celebrate being shortlisted in the Digital Impact category of the World Procurement Awards, taking place in May, we spoke to our Director of Procurement, Jason Lowry.

Q: Can you introduce yourself and tell us more about the team?

A: “I’m Jason Lowry, and I’ve been working in procurement for over 20 years. I started my career as a Food Buyer and have had the opportunity to work across various industries. At Yodel, my focus is on driving transformation and strategic initiatives. I’m incredibly proud of the team I lead, and together, we collaborate closely with other departments to ensure we’re getting the best results for Yodel and our partners.”

Q: What are the biggest changes you’ve seen since joining Yodel?

A: “When I joined Yodel, we were in a very different position. Today, 86% of the company’s supplier spend flows through the procurement team, a significant increase since 2021. One of our most impactful changes has been the implementation of Ivalua, our leading digital eProcurement tool. This has allowed us to digitise our ways of working, providing 100% visibility of all our contracts and suppliers, streamlining the process and enhancing transparency for both the procurement team and departmental users across the business.”

Q: What does success look like for your team?

A: “Success for us means becoming an integral part of the business, with our contributions consistently recognised and valued. When I first joined Yodel, my goal was to ensure that procurement delivered real value to every department we worked with. We’re now seen as a core team, and our efforts in collaborating with third-party suppliers have resulted in tangible, positive outcomes for the business.”

Q: What has been your biggest achievement since joining Yodel?

A: “Without a doubt, my greatest achievement has been leading the transformation of our business processes and people. When I joined, many procurement activities were still manual. I envisioned a best-in-class procurement with fully digital process, and we’ve made that a reality. This digital shift has significantly improved efficiency and enhanced productivity. We've worked on numerous projects where we've improved collaboration with our partners, accessing greater potential from our supplier relationships and therefore driving even greater value for Yodel.”

Q: How do you collaborate with other departments to ensure synergy, and why is this important?

A: “Collaboration is absolutely key to our success. We work closely with all departments to understand their needs and gain valuable insights to ensure we partner with trusted suppliers who align with Yodel’s goals and will deliver on our business objectives. We also leverage data and analytics to challenge departments and show how we can optimise value for their specific requirements.”

Q: What is the team’s goal for 2025 and beyond?

A: “We’ve developed a comprehensive three-year plan outlining our vision for the future. Our key focuses will be cost optimisation, building deeper supplier relationships, ESG sustainable supply chain, implementing a business partner operating model, and fully leveraging the advanced technology at our disposal. We’re excited about the future and the opportunity to continue driving procurement excellence, ensuring we remain a strategic business partner at Yodel.”

Partnership Spotlight: ThinK Wine Group

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In 2024, we began working with the ThinK Wine group, collecting and delivering their vast range of wines to their valued customers.

We sat with the team to talk working with Yodel, and how we’re supporting their growth in the UK through a reliable and excellent final-mile .

How did you hear about Yodel by InPost?

Another local e-commerce business highly recommended Yodel by InPost services after we experienced issues with other couriers and we haven't looked back!

What made you transition for Yodel by InPost as your carrier of choice?

The customer service of our previous courier fell short, which was a challenge since we often handle time-sensitive matters. Switching to Yodel has given us the confidence that everything will be managed efficiently and effectively.

How straightforward is the process for arranging collections?

Perfectly straightforward! We use Shiptheory and Shopify to print our labels, and our friendly courier, Andy, arrives on time every day to collect them - an impeccable part of Yodel’s service!

How is the support at Yodel by InPost from your Account Manager?

Laura is fantastic! As we handle time-sensitive matters, she’s always just a phone call or video call away, ready to help me resolve any rare issues quickly.

How has Yodel by InPost supported your growth as a business?

Yodel by InPost has played a key role in supporting ThinK Wine’s growth by providing a reliable and efficient delivery service. As a small business that values quality and customer satisfaction, we need a courier that ensures our products arrive on time and in perfect condition. Yodel’s seamless integration with our shipping platforms, punctual collections, and excellent customer support, especially from Laura and Andy, have allowed us to focus on expanding our reach without worrying about logistics. Their dependable service has given us the confidence to scale while maintaining the high standards our customers expect.

What stands out most about Yodel by InPost from other carriers you’ve worked with?

We have to say Andy, our Yodel driver, for the consistency and reliability of the service. He arrives on time every day without fail, ensuring our shipments go out smoothly. But beyond that, Andy truly goes the extra mile, he knows all our names, and is an absolute joy to work with. His friendly and professional attitude makes the whole process effortless, and it’s clear he genuinely cares about doing a great job. Unlike other carriers we've worked with, Yodel provides a seamless experience from label printing to final delivery, giving us peace of mind that our customers will receive their orders on time.

How have Yodel by InPost supported you with any challenges/during busy periods?

Yodel has been incredibly supportive during busy periods like Christmas, and during any challenges we’ve faced. Their team is always responsive and ready to help, ensuring that our deliveries continue to run smoothly, even when demand is high.Whether it’s handling an increased volume of orders or troubleshooting last-minute concerns, Yodel’s efficiency and commitment give us the confidence to keep things running seamlessly.

How have you found the customer service with Yodel when required?

The process of raising queries with Yodel has been smooth and efficient, thanks to eRin and the customer service team. eRin’s software makes it easy to log and track any issues, ensuring quick resolutions, while the CS team is always responsive and helpful. Whether it’s a delivery query or a general concern, the support we receive is proactive, friendly, and solution-focused. Having such a reliable system and team in place gives us extra confidence in Yodel’s service and keeps everything running seamlessly.

Would you recommend Yodel to other businesses as a delivery solution?

Absolutely! We would highly recommend Yodel to other businesses as a delivery solution. Their reliable service, efficient handling of deliveries, and exceptional customer support, particularly from people like Laura, Andy, and the team - have made a significant positive impact on our operations. Whether it's managing time-sensitive shipments or handling busy periods with ease, Yodel consistently delivers top-notch service. Their seamless integration with our systems and dedication to providing a hassle-free experience make them a fantastic choice for any business looking for a dependable courier.

Isle of Wight secures its second national award for outstanding customer service

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A convenience store in Cowes, Isle of Wight, rises to the top of 7,000 stores across the country in Yodel’s Store of the Quarter awards.

The Isle of Wight has landed the second ‘Store of the Quarter’ award from Yodel by InPost, with Blakes News in Cowes named the latest winner for its outstanding service levels and customer support provided to the local community.

Blakes News beat competition from the Deliver to Yodel Store network of over 7,000 newsagents, convenience stores, petrol stations, and supermarkets nationwide, having handled nearly 4,000 parcels in the last quarter. The store had an outstanding 5-star average rating from Yodel by InPost's in-house Have Your Say customer feedback survey.

The Cowes store has been at the heart of the local community since Amanda and her partner Phil opened the shop in 2006 and now run the store as a family business including their daughter, Courtney.

Amanda Belt, Store Owner, said: “We’re thrilled to have been recognised as the latest Store of the Quarter. It really is a testament to how close we are as a community and as a team here at Blakes News. Being a part of the Deliver to Yodel Store network has been a huge boost to our business; it’s really driving footfall and allowing us to provide an essential service to those living nearby. It has been a pleasure seeing the store become a vibrant community hub.”

Yodel by InPost has recently seen customer-to-customer volumes surge as a result of a rise in people buying and selling on second-hand marketplaces like Vinted and eBay. Thanks to its network of shops across the country, parcel senders and recipients alike are never far from a pick-up or drop-off point.

Only one third of consumers buying Valentine’s gifts on the high-street

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Just a third (37%) of consumers are looking to high-street retailers for gifts this Valentine’s Day, down from 51% in 2024, according to new data from Yodel. The survey, of over 10,000 UK consumers, shows consumers moving towards online marketplaces such as eBay and Vinted, with a third (34%) looking for new gifts on the platforms and 15% purchasing second-hand.

The research, which comes as the second-hand economy continues to boom, shows that consumers are becoming less concerned about the origins of their Valentine’s gifts, with two-thirds (68%) of respondents admitting they don’t mind if gifts are second-hand, up from 63% in 2024. For those buying preloved this Valentine’s Day, over a quarter said it was because it is more environmentally friendly, whilst a fifth (23%) said it was to save money and one in 10 (13%) said it was because the recipient prefers it.

Last year, Yodel research uncovered nearly 30 million ‘microsellers’ across the UK selling second-hand items on online marketplaces. This surge has led to a boom in Yodel Direct, the company’s consumer-to-consumer delivery service, which has climbed 200% in recent years. The service is supported by Yodel’s Out of Home network of over 7,000 stores, supported by PayPoint.

Yodel’s findings also show a shifting landscape in the UK’s gifting habits this year, with the number of people looking to buy beauty and self-care items up 7% on last year. More people are also gifting electronics, subscription services, plus vintage and new clothing compared to last year whilst traditional Valentine’s Day favourites like food and drink are down 5%.

Yodel expands parcel drop off service in Northern Ireland

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Yodel has announced it will be opening 56 new store locations across Northern Ireland, as part of its plans to strengthen its delivery offering across the region. This expansion plan comes off the back of Yodel’s partnership with PayPoint, enabling Yodel to join forces with Spar Northern Ireland, owned by Henderson Group.

This latest partnership expands Yodel’s Northern Ireland Out of Home (OOH) network to 273 locations, with plans to explore further locations in the new year. Consumers will be able to access Yodel’s Store-to-Store and Store-to-Door parcel delivery services, which provide customers with more flexible and convenient options for sending and receiving deliveries. As part of this expansion plan in Northern Ireland, Yodel has also broadened its locker offering in the region, having opened over 50 lockers since May 2023.

Northern Ireland is already a key market for Yodel’s OOH services, with some stores in the region regularly handling up to 1000 parcels a week during the busy festive retail peak. In fact, Donard View Service Station, Ballynahinch, who handles over 1,500 a quarter for Yodel, was recently awarded Yodel’s Store of the Quarter award for outstanding customer support and service to the local community, beating over 7,500 other stores in Yodel’s nationwide network. Nine of the top ten busiest stores in Yodel’s ranking were all based in Northern Ireland, indicative of demand in the region.

Since the start of 2024, Yodel’s Out of Home store network across the UK has increased by 25%, providing consumers with even more convenient store locations.

Sam Holden, Chief Commercial Officer at Yodel said: “We’re excited to embark on this partnership with Henderson Group to build on our network in Northern Ireland. As customers increasingly look for greater choice in parcel delivery options and seek out more sustainable solutions, we’ve seen steadily increasing demand for Out of Home collections.

Northern Ireland has already proven to be one of the busiest regions for OOH across the UK and with this expansion into more stores we can continue to meet demand and remain flexible to changing trends in the retail sector.”

Yodel helps Kids in Mind deliver thousands of toys to children across the country for Christmas Day

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Yodel has delivered 2,000 boxes of toys for Kids in Mind, a charity for disadvantaged children and young people who have escaped domestic violence.

The 2,000 boxes, each containing up to 10 toys, were provided by Hasbro in partnership with the Kids in Mind charity. The donations will help ensure mothers who have fled domestic abuse can bring a little joy to their children on Christmas Day.

The boxes were collected by Yodel’s final-mile delivery drivers from the Hasbro depot in Newport and have been delivered to women’s domestic abuse refuges across the UK.

Sam Holden, CCO at Yodel, commented: “We’re proud to support our valued partners, Hasbro, and the Kids in Mind charity to bring the magic of Christmas to children who need it most this festive season.

"Each year 20,000 children flee domestic abuse to seek sanctuary in refuge. Typically leaving home with only the clothes on their back, these children have either witnessed or experienced physical and emotional abuse. They arrive at refuge with nothing and spend on average over six months in a refuge before being relocated to an unfamiliar area.

"This heartfelt initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration, and we are immensely grateful to Hasbro and Kids in Mind for their commitment and efforts to bringing joy to children across the UK at what can be a difficult time for many”.

Julian Margolin, CEO of Kids in Mind said:

“We’re hugely grateful to our partners for their donations as well as our volunteers and Yodel for us helping with free nationwide distribution for thousands of toys across the UK. We hope this small gesture can bring some joy to children on Christmas day.”

For more information and to donate, visit https://www.kidsinmind.uk/

Our support for charities across the UK

During the festive season, our colleagues supported with donations & the gifting of toys across our network, showing strong support in their communities including:

The Launchpad initiative in Liverpool, supporting veterans and their families
The Wrexham Maelor's Children's Ward, providing gifts for children at Christmas
South Sefton Foodbank, working to prevent poverty and hunger in the local community
Acorns Children's Hospice in the West Midlands, providing gifts for children at Christmas

Over 16 million Brits buying Christmas presents on second-hand marketplaces

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Christmas present buying on second-hand marketplaces is on the up, with one in five UK adults (20% ) having bought gifts from the likes of Vinted or eBay in the past, while a further 14% plan to do so for the first time this year
32% of UK adults would be happy to receive pre-loved items as gifts this Christmas
Research unveiled off the back of Yodel’s Microsellers Guide looks to support consumers looking to start selling online

As this year’s Christmas shopping season quickly approaches, UK consumers are increasingly turning to second-hand marketplaces to buy gifts for their loved ones, according to research from parcel carrier Yodel.

In fact, over 16 million Brits are buying Christmas presents on second-hand online marketplaces, with one in five (20%) having bought presents for friends or family via such platforms in the past and a further 14% planning to do so for the first time this year. Furthermore, one in ten (10% ) UK adults are planning to exclusively buy presents from second-hand marketplaces this year, bidding goodbye to the high street altogether.

Alongside the boom in second-hand shopping, the research also found that almost a third (32%) of Brits are happy to receive a present bought via a second-hand marketplace, showing how ‘brand-new’ isn’t always seen as a prerequisite for holiday gifting.

Fuelling Festive Finances

While the likes of Vinted and eBay are proving popular avenues for gift buyers, such platforms are profitable for those looking to top up their festive finances, too. Almost a quarter (22% ) are planning to sell, or sell more, pre-loved belongings on second-hand marketplaces to help fund their festivities. This comes as the average household spent over £1,800 last Christmas, with costs almost tripling over the last 30 years.

Second-Hand Selling Surge

This latest Christmas trend follows a general surge in second-hand selling, with Yodel previously finding over half of Brits (54% ) aged 16+ are reselling items on online marketplaces, with ‘microsellers’ earning an average of £246 a year.

When it came to second-hand shoppers, saving money came out as the top reason for buying pre-loved (69%), while being more eco-friendly and buying items no longer being produced followed at 37% and 21% respectively.

In response to this strong demand for second-hand selling, Yodel has seen its customer-to-customer volumes surge by more than 200% in the last two years. The business has seen a particular uptick in demand for its Out of Home (OOH) network, which makes receiving and sending parcels online easier through a network of 7,000 Yodel stores. Yodel has also recently partnered with InPost, which will see the parcel carrier expanding its locker network through the InPost ‘Locker-to-Door’ service.

For those looking to send parcels via Yodel’s network this Christmas, Monday 23rd December is the last normal delivery service day before the 25th, with customers recommended to drop off their parcels at Yodel stores or in InPost lockers by 16th December to ensure their recipients receive ahead of Christmas Day.

Sam Holden, CCO of Yodel, shared: “The second-hand economy has exploded over the last year and for many Christmas is becoming ‘Thirftmas’. Easy-to-use marketplaces have opened up a world of options for people and millions of us are now looking at pre-loved platforms to find unique, eco-friendly and affordable gifts. Those planning on putting a preloved gift under their tree should plan early to allow enough time for senders to get their orders out. If selling online, remember to properly package parcels to avoid any delays.”

Yodel’s Microsellers Report & Guide provides a comprehensive look at the online second-hand market, providing tips and guidance for those looking to start selling via online marketplaces. It is available for download at: https://www.yodel.co.uk/yodel-thinking/microsellers-guide

Mark O’Sullivan, Chief Operations Officer of Yodel, is celebrating the impressive feat of amassing 25 years in the parcels industry. We sat with Mark to discuss his journey, inspirations, and experiences at Yodel too.

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

How does it feel to be celebrating 25 years in parcels?

It feels like a fast quarter of a century and I’ve loved the journey! I became a father just before starting in this industry, so my career has grown alongside my family which has made it particularly special. The amount of experience I’ve gained in all those years has really helped me to advance the operational processes here at Yodel.

How did you get started?

My first role was in Sales, but after my daughter was born, I sought more security in a new role. I didn't initially aim for parcels, however, I applied for a role as a multi-drop driver at Parceline which I found exciting. At first, I didn’t get the job! It was only a week later that I was offered the role that would go on to shape my career. My message here to anyone looking for inspiration; I wasn’t even first choice, so don’t be disappointed if you do get knockbacks during your life.

How did your career progress?

I had an exceptional leader in my first role who recognised my potential. After just six months, I became the depot’s night manager, and 18 months later, I was running my own site. In truth, I was well-positioned during a significant investment plan, which enabled me to showcase my productivity skills and opened doors for me.

How would you describe your leadership style?

I believe in being fair and empathetic, and importantly, understanding the unique skills of each team member. Building strong relationships and a shared vision with my direct reports has been essential to navigating this industry effectively.

Were there significant moments that paved the way for your success?

Many years ago, when I was a teenager in the Sea Cadets, a mentor inspired me by seeing leadership potential in me. He taught me the importance of self-belief and said that I had all the attributes to become an Officer one day. This really stuck with me, and his belief in me instilled a steady self-confidence, which I still carry to this day.

What are the biggest successes in your career or life?

While I’m proud of the projects I've implemented and the awards I have won throughout my career, such as Service Centre Manager of the year a record number of times, it’s the lasting impact I've had on others stands out most.

I take real pride in seeing the remarkable careers of people I’ve managed and collaborated with go on to do great things in this industry. It’s a special feeling to know that I have played a part in their professional development.

What are the best parts about working at Yodel?

Yodel is full of fantastic people and a strong vision, backed by great technology. I’m really proud to play such a key role in a company that prioritises investment in people, and growth in its strategy.