Asda opens UK’s first ‘parcel vending machine’

A new automated ‘parcel tower’ for George.com’s click-and-collect service has been installed at Asda’s Trafford Park store following a successful trial by parent company Walmart in the US.

The acts as a giant parcel vending machine. Customers can choose items available on George.com from their computer or smartphone, select the Trafford Park store at checkout, and collect their items from the 16ft by 8ft machine.

Once at the store they scan a barcode sent to their smartphone at the Parcel Tower to receive their order. Customers will be able to pick up their online order in less than 60 seconds, with the machine also able to take returns.

Trafford Park’s Parcel Tower was installed as a proof of concept, holding up to 500 parcels and has already served 1,500 local customers.

Neil Drake, Asda’s retail process, systems and innovation manager, said: “It’s great that we’ve been able to work with our parent company Walmart in the US to bring this new exciting technology to the UK, so far it’s been a huge success for them.

“We know speed and convenience are important factors to customers and partners of our ‘toyou’ service, and we’re always looking for new ways to bring that to them. The Parcel Towers are the latest example of how we’re using new technology to save our customers time and money.”

Stephen Clinton, store manager at Asda Trafford Park, said: “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 since its arrival instore and we hope it continues.”