Parcel lockers as a viable service option in the appear to be finding favour, with the introduction of Poland’s InPost to the UK and increased coverage of B2C locker-boxes from ByBox.
Parcel lockers are also to be found in an increasingly diverse set of locations, with some rail stations set to have them installed.
Less than a year after its launch in the UK, InPost has signed an agreement with Transport for London to install parcel lockers in some London Underground stations too.
The company, owned by Poland’s Integer.pl, hopes to build on its current network of 800 lockers by installing them in station car parks.
InPost is not the only company to utilise the UK’s transport network for its lockers. Network Rail has also agreed to trial lockers operated by start-up Doddle at Milton Keynes Central, with similar trials at London Paddington and Woking rail stations planned for later this year.
Doddle says the service provides another point that carriers can use to deliver into or collect from, which they could consider when trying to increase their first time delivery rates and reduce failed attempts.
However, the concept has a way to go before it proves itself as a widely-used delivery method. Just last year it was criticised for being “too expensive and too immature” by Royal Mail’s parcels MD last year.
But maybe the industry is gradually warming to the idea. Doddle’s project director, Peter Louden, says that some undisclosed parcel carriers and retailers have been “extremely positive” about the lockers and have expressed interest in using those it wants to install.