Amazon announces new pick-up options for Australian shoppers

It’s one of the most frustrating parts of shopping with Amazon. But from today, the problem has finally been solved for thousands of us.

Thousands of Aussie online shopping addicts will find it easier to collect their purchases from today.

That’s because e-retail behemoth Amazon has just launched Amazon Hub in Australia – a new and convenient way for customers to pick up their parcels on their own terms.

It means many Amazon customers in NSW and Victoria will now be able to grab their packages using either self-service Lockers, or Counters located within partnering shops.

From today, Amazon Hub is available at more than 100 Commonwealth Bank branches, Victorian Authorised Newsagents Association locations and Stockland Shopping Centres.

But in the coming months and years, the network will expand to thousands of other locations across the country – including other states and territories – as other retailers, convenience stores and small businesses come on-board.

Delivery to an Amazon Hub location is available at no extra cost for the more than 125 million items sold on Amazon.com.au and works with free expedited delivery and standard delivery.

Patrick Supanc, worldwide director of Amazon Hub, told news.com.au that customers had been searching for more convenient and flexible pick-up options.

“We are super excited to launch another Amazon Hub and for the benefits it will bring our customers and partners,” he said.

Amazon Lockers are being rolled out across the country. Picture: Supplied

“We’re just getting started here in Australia … and we will have hundreds of more locations by the end of the year.

“We are focused on customer convenience, and we know we have a way to go to bring more locations to customers in Australia, but we are looking to expand with additional partners and in additional states in future.”

Originally launched in the US in 2011, Locker is a self-service kiosk that gives customers the option to pick up their Amazon parcels from a location convenient to them.

Meanwhile, the Counter is a pick-up network staffed by store partners that enables quick and

easy collection of Amazon parcels. The concept was originally launched earlier this year in Europe.

With both options, customers will be sent an email from Amazon, including a barcode, once the parcel is available.

The barcode can be scanned by the customer themselves at Lockers or handed over to staff at Counters.

Mr Supanc said the Counter option was a win-win for Amazon customers and participating partners alike, as it offered convenience for shoppers and generated extra foot traffic and business for stores.