Amazon expands package pickup network

Online retail giant Amazon.com is expanding Counter, its network of staffed pickup points that gives customers the option to pick up their Amazon packages at partner retail stores, the company said Wednesday.

The program adds thousands of GNC, Health Mart, and Stage Store locations nationwide to the Amazon Hub Counter program, which also includes the company's network of pickup lockers. Amazon launched the Counter program earlier this year and the new partners have been testing the service over the past few months. All Amazon customers can utilize the service for same-day, one-day, two-day, and standard shipping at no extra cost, according to Amazon. 

The program makes it easy for customers to pickup their Amazon deliveries, the company said, and benefits member partners with additional foot traffic in stores.

"The response we've heard from our customers and partners after the launch of Counter earlier this year has been tremendous," Patrick Supanc, worldwide director of Amazon Hub, said in a statement announcing the expansion. "This new network of pickup points gives customers a pickup experience that is fast, flexible, and convenient, and partners are thrilled with the strong engagement and additional foot traffic Counter is driving for their stores."