Retail giant Tesco Express is set to remove a major convenience service from hundreds of its stores nationwide, marking the end of its partnership with courier firm Evri. The decision means customers will no longer be able to send or collect parcels via Evri drop-off points at Tesco Express locations, a move that has sparked widespread reaction among shoppers who relied on the service for easy returns and deliveries.
Tesco Ends Evri Partnership After Nationwide Review
According to The Sun, the Tesco Evri partnership will officially come to an end over the coming weeks, as the supermarket chain restructures its in-store services. This means that thousands of Tesco Express Evri parcel lockers and drop-off counters will be phased out gradually, with some stores already beginning to remove the service.
A Tesco spokesperson confirmed the move, saying the company had conducted a full review of its convenience offerings and decided to focus on “core retail operations.” The spokesperson added that Tesco would continue to evaluate customer needs and explore new service partnerships in the future, but that Evri collections would no longer be part of that plan.
What This Means for Shoppers
For many shoppers, the Tesco Express Evri collaboration offered a quick and easy way to handle online shopping returns and deliveries, especially in urban areas without dedicated parcel shops. With the Tesco Evri partnership ending, customers will now have to find alternative Evri locations or use other courier services for their parcel needs.
Evri, formerly known as Hermes, has confirmed that it is working to redirect customers to nearby collection points, including independent retailers and other supermarket chains still offering the service. The company stated that “customers can continue to use the Evri app or website to find their nearest available drop-off location.”
Evri’s Expanding Network Amid Partnership Changes
Despite losing its Tesco Express locations, Evri continues to grow its delivery network across the UK. The courier firm recently announced plans to open new parcel hubs and strengthen partnerships with other retail brands.
Industry experts note that this type of service reshuffling is becoming more common as retailers reassess third-party collaborations amid rising operational costs. While Tesco’s decision to drop Evri may streamline its store model, it could also inconvenience customers who valued the one-stop-shop approach that included both grocery shopping and parcel services.
Why Tesco is Making the Change
Tesco’s move to discontinue its Evri service appears to be part of a broader effort to simplify operations at Tesco Express branches. The supermarket chain has been focusing on improving checkout experiences, expanding ready-meal options, and enhancing local store efficiency.
Sources told The Sun that removing Evri counters will allow Tesco to repurpose in-store space for higher-margin products and services. Additionally, with the growing popularity of digital returns via locker networks and home collection, foot traffic linked to parcel services has reportedly declined in some locations.
A retail analyst commented, “Tesco’s decision reflects changing customer habits. More shoppers are opting for doorstep returns or retailer-specific collection lockers, which reduces the appeal of in-store parcel counters.”
Customers React to the Decision
The news of the Tesco Evri partnership ending has drawn mixed reactions online. Some shoppers expressed frustration, noting that they relied on their local Tesco Express Evri counter for quick returns, while others welcomed the change, arguing that it might ease congestion in small stores.
“I used the Evri drop-off at Tesco every week — it’s disappointing that it’s ending,” one customer shared on social media. Another wrote, “It’s probably for the best; the queues for parcel returns were always long.”
What Happens Next
With the Tesco Express Evri service being phased out, customers are encouraged to use the Evri locator tool to find alternative drop-off points nearby. Tesco, meanwhile, has not ruled out future collaborations with other logistics providers but says it will concentrate on enhancing its core grocery and retail services for now.
Industry insiders suggest that the move could lead to new partnerships in the future, potentially with other courier services such as DPD or Royal Mail, which have been expanding their own in-store collection networks.
Conclusion
The end of the Tesco Evri partnership marks a notable shift in the UK’s parcel delivery landscape. As Tesco Express Evri counters disappear from stores nationwide, customers will need to adapt to alternative delivery solutions. The supermarket chain remains focused on its retail priorities, while Evri continues to strengthen its position through other strategic partnerships.
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