Parcel service Doddle has partnered with fashion retailers Coast and Missguided to offer free returns at 50 Doddle locations nationwide.

Online customers returning goods to either Coast or Missguided can drop off their parcel at one of the Doddle stores, and expect a refund within three business days.

The refund process is stretched to anything between seven or 18 working days when other parcel services are used.

Coast customers in London don’t even need to seek out a Doddle store. For £1, a Doddle Runner will drop by and collect their package in person.

Doddle CEO Tim Robinson acknowledged the challenges of perfecting the online returns process.

“Quick and easy returns policies are critical to winning over online consumers, but it can be a challenge to optimise this process,” he commented.

“Doddle is able to support retailers by making the returns process even quicker, for the benefit of the end consumer.”

Tieing up returns with Doddle has allowed Missguided to offer next day delivery and scrap its £1.95 return fee.

Brett Young, Missguided operations director, said: “We’re giving [customers] even more choice with our new delivery and returns options.

“This, together with partners such as Doddle ensuring a really high level of service to match, results in an overall excellent customer experience.”