Dutch postal and express company TNT NV said that its Logistics UK unit has been awarded a five-year contract to operate two-man home delivery services for the newly launched Tesco Direct.
Tesco Direct will become the first supermarket to offer next day delivery on non-food items and give the option of a two-hour time slot for the home delivery of smaller items. Customers can also choose to pick up their order from selected stores the next day.
The heavy lift, two-man home delivery service TNT will offer is a type used for retailers that sell items too heavy to be carried by traditional parcel services. It is particularly appealing to retailers who need to deliver items like plasma and LCD TVs, as well other electrical goods and home appliances.
About 1,000 of the 8,000 items Tesco Direct will sell require the two-man home delivery service, including sofas and wardrobes, as well as home gyms and outdoor play equipment.
The nationwide service will use dedicated Tesco Direct vehicles and TNT Logistics’ multi-user TNT Home fleet, which already delivers furniture and larger goods for other retailers.
Tesco said TNT Logistics’ experience in home delivery was a factor in awarding the company the business.
On Aug. 30, Britain’s Tesco announced that it is launching Tesco Direct.
