UK first as Asda tests out parcel tower

Asda has installed a 16ft tall and 8ft wide automated parcel vending tower at its Trafford Park store, following a trial by parent company Walmart in the US. In a first for the UK, this enables customers to pick up their online order in less than 60 seconds and will also take returns. It was installed at the end of last week as a proof of concept, can hold up to 500 parcels and has thus far served 1,500 customers.

People can shop at www.george.com and select the store at checkout. When they visit the store, they scan a barcode sent to their smartphone at the parcel tower to receive their order. The service is also available for selected third party partners including Asos, Missguided and Decathlon. Stephen Clinton, Store Manager at Asda Trafford Park, says: “We’re delighted to be the first store in the UK to trial the parcel tower for our customers. We have seen a fantastic response to the quick service in the past few days and we hope it continues.”