The ultimate retail treasure hunt is coming to Tyneside this month as French start-up King Colis prepares to offload 10 tons of ‘lost’ parcels at Eldon Square, Newcastle. From Monday 20th April to Sunday 26th April, Newcastle shoppers will be able to immerse themselves in a completely new and unique shopping experience – a viral phenomenon that has seen lucky punters across Europe unbox everything from high-spec iPads and household items through to designer handbags and clothes.
Thousands of undelivered packages, lost in the postal system due to simple address errors, will be piled high for the public to claim, with shoppers given a 10-minute window to scramble through the mountain of boxes and scout out their prizes.
The ultimate twist? You aren’t allowed a sneak peek inside until you have paid for your haul by weight, at a flat rate of just £2.50 per 100g.
Previous King Colis events have yielded life-changing finds, including a rare Pokémon card valued at £2,000 in Italy and a genuine gold bar discovered by a shopper in France. While the contents remain a mystery until the final unboxing, shoppers often walk away with luxury watches, beauty tech, and the latest streetwear for a fraction of the retail price.
Killian Denis, CEO and Co-founder of King Colis, said: "We are so excited to bring the King Colis mystery to Eldon Square. There is an incredible buzz when people start unboxing - you never know if you are holding a high-tech gadget or a unique collectible.
“It is a genuine treasure hunt where luck plays its part, but the experience is always unforgettable. My advice to Newcastle is to get down early, as the best boxes go fast!"
Beyond the excitement, the event carries a strong environmental message. Millions of undelivered parcels were previously destined for destruction, but King Colis has saved over 2,000 tons of goods since 2023. By purchasing these lost items, shoppers are directly helping to reduce waste and give perfectly good products a second life.
Helen Cowie, Centre Director at Eldon Square said: “We are excited to welcome King Colis to the scheme, bringing customers a treasure hunt style shopping experience in the heart of Newcastle. We can’t wait to see visitors get involved in the activation and make it a fun and interactive part of their day with us.”
The pop-up will be located next to Fenwick at the Northumberland Street entrance of Eldon Square. Doors open on Monday at 2pm, with standard 9am to 7pm hours throughout the week and late-night shopping until 8pm on Thursday. Sunday trading will run from 11am to 5pm.
Admission is free for everyone, though children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. For those eager to beat the crowds, a limited number of ‘Fast Passes’ are available for £15 via the official website at www.king-colis.co.uk.
After great success in Paris, Rome, Madrid, Dublin, Vienna, Amsterdam, Prague, Zagreb, Helsinki, Stockholm, Berlin and Bristol, King Colis is excited to bring this experiential pop-up store to Newcastle.