Post lockers are popping up everywhere at the minute. You’ll have seen them at supermarkets, train stations, petrol stations, and outside convenience stores to name a few.
But why are parcel lockers increasing in popularity? And how do they affect your daily deliveries? We’ve got all the information you need below.
What Are the Lockers?
The lockers are a fixed unit with multiple locked doors. They offer a safe and secure way of delivering and collecting parcels. There are multiple sizes of lockers, from small Jiffy sized to larger boxes – these are located at the bottom of the unit.
The lockers provide customers with a way to send and collect parcels from one place. They remove the need for Post Office visits and booking courier collections for smaller items.
How Do the Lockers Work?
Let’s say you work for a delivery company that uses the lockers.
Using a QR code, password or scanning the package, you’ll be able to open a locker. Ensure you pick the correct-sized locker for the parcel.
The locker will open, allowing you to place the parcel inside. You’ll repeat this process for each parcel, selecting the recipient as you go.
The recipient will then receive an email letting them know that their parcel is ready for collection. They will use a QR code or password in the same way to access their package.
Why Are Post Lockers So Popular?
Chances are you’ve used a locker or Out of Home (OOH) delivery service to send or collect a parcel. Since the pandemic, customer delivery expectations have changed, and they expect greater flexibility when it comes to posting items.
Online shopping boomed during and after the pandemic, with parcel numbers increasing tenfold. Self-service has become the norm, as people look for more convenient and quicker services.
OOH delivery allows customers to skip queues and avoid troublesome missed deliveries. Some even remove the need for printing labels – everything is digitised and traceable from the customer’s phone.
Who Owns the Lockers?
There are a number of carriers operating lockers – these include Amazon, In-Post and DPD.
Alternatives include Evri drop-off and collection in local shops and express supermarkets. However, customers and drivers are limited to opening hours.
What Are the Other Benefits of Post Lockers?
Besides the positives for customers, the lockers remove the need for lengthy delivery routes for drivers. This saves petrol, and time, and lowers the risk of missing or lost parcels. This reduces delivery charges and saves any costs associated with re-deliveries.
Lockers reduce the risk of theft. Access is only possible with a QR code or password, either of which are sent directly to the customer.
Where there are multiple people in one place, such as a block of flats, the lockers provide a convenient solution.
All of these factors help delivery companies meet their delivery targets – it’s a win-win all around.
Are Lockers the Future?
Until drones or self-driving delivery vans become the norm, the lockers are here to stay. Everyone loves convenience, and the lockers are flexible to fit around every customer’s needs.
They are safe and secure, contactless, reduce the threat of theft, cost saving for delivery companies and convenient for customers!
Now for insurance! With INSHUR, all you need is your driver’s license to get a quote and be on the road in minutes.
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