Amazon is expanding Counter, a network of staffed pickup points at partner locations, to thousands of GNC, Health Mart and Stage Stores locations. The system already has been rolled out at hundreds of Rite Aid stores, and is expected to reach 1,500 in total by the end of year.
Amazon shoppers can choose a Counter location as the destination for orders made with Same-Day, One-Day, Two-Day and Standard Shipping at no extra cost. As soon as their package arrives, customers receive an email notification with a unique barcode that enables an associate to retrieve their package. Shoppers have 14 days from the delivery date to pick up their purchases.
“The response we’ve heard from our customers and partners after the launch of Counter earlier this year has been tremendous,” said Patrick Supanc, Worldwide Director of Amazon Hub in a statement. “This new network of pickup points gives customers a pickup experience that is fast, flexible and convenient, and partners are thrilled with the strong engagement and additional foot traffic Counter is driving for their stores.”
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Counter is part of the Amazon Hub family, which also includes:
- Locker, which offers secure storage for packages in more than 900 cities across the U.S.;
- Locker+, which includes locations in neighborhoods and on college campuses and is staffed by associates; and
- Apartment Locker, which lets shoppers choose to receive all packages, including ones not delivered from Amazon, safely and at a time of their choosing.
The expansion of alternative pickup options will help Amazon stay ahead of the curve as other retailers boost their delivery options in preparation for the holidays. Walmart rolled out next-day delivery in May, while did Target did so in June, UPS in July and Best Buy in October.
