Proxi adds parcel pickup to drive foot traffic across Eastern Canada
Convenience store retailers are always searching for practical ways to bring more shoppers through the front doors. For convenience banner Proxi, the answer lies in solving a major headache for online shoppers: Package delivery and returns.
Harnois Energies is broadening its in-store services by introducing parcel pickup and drop-off at more than 100 Proxi convenience stores across Eastern Canada. The program rolls out through a collaboration with package-hub provider Penguin Pickup, giving neighbourhood c-stores an opportunity to turn daily online delivery errands into higher basket rings.
Expanding services boosts neighbourhood convenience
Running a profitable c-store today means offering far more than fuel, lottery tickets and grab-and-go snacks. Modern operators know that becoming an indispensable hub for local errands keeps customers loyal.
Through the new program, consumers can send packages shipped via Purolator directly to participating Proxi sites. Depending on the region, other delivery carriers will also be available down the road. The system works with standard e-commerce checkouts, letting buyers select their neighbourhood Proxi store from their shipping provider’s list and follow the prompts to collect or return merchandise.
Mathieu Robillard, vice-president of operations, retail network and cardlock at Harnois Energies, said the move fits naturally into everyday customer habits. Picking up or returning an online order should be simple, he explained, noting that the retail network gives shoppers an easy option that fits seamlessly into their daily routines.
READ: Harnois Énergies' Proxi mobile c-store test runs a success: Key takeaways from the pilot
Partnerships unlock higher customer frequency
For convenience operators, bringing a third-party logistics hub onto the retail floor creates a natural stream of repeat visits. When shoppers arrive to pick up an online order, they are far more likely to grab a coffee, pick up a beverage or purchase fresh food.
Penguin Pickup operates a growing cross-country network designed to make package handling easier. Axel Fisher, head of strategic growth and operations at Penguin Pickup, noted that Proxi stores are deeply rooted in local communities. Partnering with the banner allows the logistics provider to expand its physical footprint while giving shoppers more flexibility to pick up and return goods close to home.
The rollout also directly supports Purolator’s broader physical network, which includes more than 3,100 retail shipping centres, authorized agencies, partner locations and automated lockers across the country. Jacqueline Jennings, retail director at Purolator, stated that teaming up with Harnois Energies and Penguin Pickup ensures Eastern Canadian shoppers have access to flexible delivery options that fit smoothly into busy schedules.
What this means for Canadian c-store operators
As online shopping continues to grow, consumers want secure, accessible pickup counters instead of worrying about packages sitting unattended on their doorsteps. Transforming part of the checkout counter or store perimeter into a parcel depot meets this demand while turning delivery carriers into foot-traffic drivers.
To sweeten the deal for local shoppers and support in-store sales, the partnership will also include promotional offers aimed at consumers who use the parcel service. This cross-promotional approach gives operators a clear pathway to convert delivery visits into retail margins.
