King Colis, a viral shopping and retail concept that specialises in reselling lost and undelivered parcels, has arrived in Manchester for one week only. The concept involves visitors digging through ‘lost parcels’ and purchasing them without knowing what’s inside, turning the experience into a timed, real-life treasure hunt.
Founded in 2023, King Colis has already proven hugely popular in cities including Paris, Rome, Berlin, Dublin, and, most recently, Newcastle. Since launch, the company has saved over 2,000 tonnes of parcels from being destroyed, while building a strong following around its in-person, treasure hunt-style events.
When is King Colis in Manchester, and where to find it
From Monday 4th May to Sunday 10th May, visitors will have the chance to dig through 10 tonnes of undelivered parcels. King Colis is located at Manchester Arndale, Lower Mall- Exchange Court, next to Pret A Manger, Next, and River Island.
King Colis opening hours:
Monday: 9am–8pm
Tuesday to Saturday: 9am–8pm
Sunday: 11:30am–5:30pm
Entry is free for all visitors. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Fast passes are available for £15 here.
How does the mystery parcel concept work?
King Colis gives millions of online orders that fail to reach their destination due to incorrect addresses or delivery issues a second life. These orders are sold online or at pop-up stores like the Manchester one, which reduces waste as a result.
Each visitor is given 10 minutes to select their parcels before heading to checkout, where items are sold by weight at £2.50 per 100g. Parcels cannot be opened until after purchase, meaning every unboxing is a surprise.
Past shoppers have uncovered everything from designer fashion and high-tech gadgets to rare collectibles, with some items worth thousands. In previous pop-ups, finds have included a Pokémon card valued at over £2,000 and even gold.
“You never know what you’re going to find. That’s what makes it so exciting.”
Speaking about the Manchester launch, King Colis co-founder, Killian Denis, said: “We’re really excited to be bringing King Colis to Manchester. Every city has had an incredible response so far, and it’s always amazing to see the queues build from day one.
You never know what you’re going to find. That’s what makes it so exciting. I’d definitely recommend getting there early as stock is limited.”
Find out more about King Colis here.