Courier giant UPS is expanding its Access Point locker network in the UK. The company will partner with smart locker providers and open 400 new locations where deliveries can be made. This is just in time for the festive season.
Now, customers can have packages to their nearest location when they are away. This gives customers convenience to collect their package at a locker any time.
e-commerce businesses can also keep their customers satisfied. Customers can order products online and then have the package dropped at a locker location. The Access Point locker expansion program can also simplify a shipper’s supply chain.
Supply chain at your fingertips
This month, UPS also introduced its ‘UPS Supply Chain Symphony’ cloud-based platform. The platform integrates supply chain components such as shipping, inventory management, and warehousing. UPS’ Kate Guttmann says customers can connect every aspect of their global supply chain. “This is a game-changer for our customers that puts powerful new digital tools at their fingertips,” she says.
President of UPS Supply Chain Solutions Bill Seward says the platform delivers robust visibility so customers can experience better outcomes. “This unmatched connectivity allows UPS customers to easily see their inventory levels, predict potential problems, and make strategic decisions to improve their supply chain operations. After extensive use by our customers across multiple industries, it is clear that UPS Symphony enables us to deliver even more of what matters.”
The platform can assist companies to do business easier. UPS customers who use this cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) solution can benefit from improved customer service, collaboration, asset utilization, and forecasting accuracy.
UK parcel delivery market
The UK’s parcel delivery took a knock last year. Royal Mail told Reuters that Inflation-hit consumers had cut back on online shopping.
Mordor Intelligence reports the UK courier, express, and parcel (CEP) market is growing with the increasing number of same-day delivery transactions. “The United Kingdom, along with Italy, has been the fastest-growing market in the European region, owing to the powerful digital trends that are driving the market. The key market players are continuously reinventing the post and parcel industry with technology-driven innovations,” reads the report.
The report adds that the growing internet penetration is shifting retail to the digital world. “The post and parcel companies are focusing on strategies to re-engineer their core businesses to meet the new face of rapidly expanding B2C parcel delivery, especially same-day delivery. The same-day strategy led by Amazon changed the pace of the delivery market and is becoming more widely offered,” reads the report.
About the author
Sharl is a qualified journalist. He has over 10 years’ experience in the media industry, including positions as an editor of a magazine and Business Editor of a daily newspaper. Sharl also has experience in logistics specifically operations, where he worked with global food aid organisations distributing food into Africa. Sharl enjoys writing business stories and human interest pieces.
