Member Article

This van sharing platform has become one of Gumtree's first-ever delivery partners

London-based van sharing platform AnyVan has signed a new partnership with classifieds website Gumtree that will give users the option of delivering and receiving their items using spare space in the nation’s vans.

Buyers and sellers on the site will now be able to choose whether they would like delivery of their second hand goods to be fulfilled through AnyVan’s platform, giving them what is claimed to be a cheaper and more environmentally friendly option.

Founded in 2009, AnyVan has adopted the now ubiquitous sharing economy model which allows vans travelling the length and breadth of the UK to offer their additional space to consumers.

Established in the wake of the financial crisis, founder and chief executive officer Angus Elphinstone found that around 50% of vans travelling across the country are empty and launched the AnyVan platform take advantage of this untapped logistical resource.

The launch of the partnership has been something of a boon for the Hammersmith-based firm, with Elphinstone claiming the platform has attracted many thousands more users in the first couple of weeks.

He commented: “Working with Gumtree is a fantastic opportunity for us to offer its customers a reliable and convenient way to transport those goods that people no longer need, or that they cannot wait to receive.

“Together with Gumtree, we’re offering consumers the best of the sharing economy to ensure they can shop or sell on their own terms.

“We’ve seen over 20,000 additional customers come through to us from Gumtree in recent weeks and we’re hoping to build on this success as we strengthen our ties with the site.”

Michael Stoelwinder, Head of Product, Gumtree added: “We are constantly talking to our users to gather feedback and make improvements to our site and service.

“We know they want to be able to buy and sell items when they want, and crucially where they want, in the most convenient way possible. That’s why Gumtree is thrilled to be working with AnyVan, to offer our buyers and sellers a new option to cheaply and easily transport goods across the UK.”

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