SEATTLE — Amazon on Thursday launched its new Counter service at more than 100 Rite Aid stores. The service will roll out to 1,500 Rite Aid locations  by the end of the year.

“Creating a seamless, convenient customer experience is a key element of our strategy and digital transformation,” said Jocelyn Konrad, executive vice president of pharmacy and retail operations at Rite Aid. “Being the first store partner for Counter in the U.S. is a differentiator for Rite Aid, and we believe our partnership with Amazon, that includes Locker, creates a stronger in-store experience for existing customers and new customers that come in to pick up their packages.”

Amazon is seeking to enlist other partners, including small to midsize businesses and other large chains, to join the new network of staffed package pickup points in the United States. Delivery to a Counter location is available for the tens of millions of items sold on Amazon.com and works with same-day, one-day, two-day and standard shipping. The service is available to all customers at no extra cost.

Amazon says it designed and built the technology for Counter from the ground up in order to create a quick and easy package pickup experience for customers. The technology is also designed to help ensure that store associates can serve customers without disrupting their daily activities. The partnership with Rite Aid marks the U.S. debut of Counter, which first launched in the U.K. with NEXT and in Italy with Giunti Al Punto Librerie, Fermopoint and SisalPay stores. The service has been positively received, according to Amazon, driving strong customer engagement and additional foot traffic for partners.

“Amazon is always looking for innovative and convenient ways for customers to ship and receive their orders,” said Patrick Supanc, Worldwide Director of Amazon Hub. “With Counter, we’ve leveraged our growing logistics network and invested in new, easy-to-use technology to give customers yet another delivery option rooted in flexibility and control. We are excited to partner with national businesses like Rite Aid, and local businesses in the future, to create an outstanding experience for our shared ­customers.”

Shipping to a Counter pick up point is easy and secure, according to Amazon. After shopping on Amazon.com, customers proceed to checkout and select one of the Counter pickup points available in their ZIP code as their delivery location. As soon as their package arrives at the store, customers receive an e-mail notification with a unique barcode as well as a reminder of the address and the business hours of their selected store. At the store, customers provide the barcode to store staff, who will scan it, retrieve the package, and hand it to the customer. Customers have 14 days to collect their package.

Counter is part of a family of Amazon Hub services designed to bridge the last mile from the online retailer to its customers. Those services include Locker, Locker+ and Apartment Locker.