A DISTRIBUTION company using a North-East port to transfer goods for customers says it is primed to take advantage of the rising demand for click and collect services.

Clipper says shoppers’ clamour for goods at any hour on any day gives it a fresh market opening.

The business, which operates a factory at Wynyard Park, near Billingham, Stockton, has already signed a deal with John Lewis to start delivering items across its Waitrose supermarket later this year.

Bosses say they now aim to roll out the service across its entire customer base, with includes clothing retailers Zara, Haddad and Pep&Co.

Officials were speaking after Clipper revealed its latest financial results for the year to April 30, which showed group revenues had increased 23.7 per cent to £290.3m.

Group profit was 41.1 per cent better off at £10.3m.

The company is known for bringing Asda’s clothing range through Teesport and previously revealed it would handle luxury luggage brand Antler’s stock through the same site before processing the cases and bags for global wholesalers, retailers and online customers.

Last year, Clipper announced it had created a George Home furniture sample showroom and photo studio for Asda at its Wynyard base.

Referring to its results, Steve Parkin, executive chairman, said the business was progressing well in its second year as a listed company, adding it will target greater work from changes in the retail sector from click and collect.

He added: “The group has seen a strong performance throughout the year, with a number of high-profile contracts starting, including those with Zara, Pep&Co and Haddad.

“Our driving force remains our focus on identifying new services, processes and solutions that address the operational needs of our customers.

“Our unrivalled understanding of e-retail and multi-channel retailing, coupled with the dramatic changes taking place in these sectors, provide us with exceptionally strong positioning for the future.

“We are particularly excited about the prospects for our new dedicated next day click and collect solution, developed in collaboration with John Lewis.

“This is designed to address the rapidly growing need for retailers to offer an effective next-day service to stores for orders placed online.

“After an initial trial period involving 115 Waitrose stores, the service will be extended to the whole Waitrose estate in late summer 2016, and we are in advanced discussions with a number of other retailers.”