Supermarket chain Aldi will trial parcel lockers outside selected stores in the UK. The initiative is in partnership with InPost which has over 6,000 parcel lockers in various spots in the area.
Customers can now collect or return parcels easily while even doing shopping, as the lockers are accessible with a QR code.
Parcel lockers convenient for shoppers
This month, parcel lockers will be stationed outside 22 stores across the country.
Richard Thornton, Communications director at Aldi UK, says: “We are all about making things efficient for our customers, and installing InPost lockers will make shopping at Aldi even more convenient.”
Michael Rouse, CEO at InPost International, says the company wants to make it easier for customers to return and collect items.
Aldi invests in store networks
Last month Aldi announced it would invest £550m in expanding and further improving its store and distribution network. The investment includes opening stores in new locations and upgrading existing stores. Aldi has over 1,000 stores across the UK.
In January, Aldi was voted Britain’s favorite supermarket in a poll by YouGov. It scored 81% in terms of ‘popularity’ – in terms of the percentage of respondents who have positive opinions about the supermarket.
Other supermarkets that fared well in the poll were Tesco and Sainsbury’s which placed second and third respectively.
InPost strengthens its logistics strategy
In July 2023, the company announced an acquisition of 30% Menzies Distribution. Among the benefits of the acquisition is that “retailers will have a new national, sustainable and efficient alternative route to 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 so badly that they had to cut back on online shopping
UK Parcel delivery market
Mordor Intelligence reports the UK’s courier, express, and parcel (CEP) market size is estimated at US$17.13 billion in 2024. It is expected to grow at an annual compound growth rate of 3.35% in the next six years.
In November, courier giant UPS announced expanding its Access Point locker network in the UK. The company is partnering with smart locker providers and opening 400 new locations where deliveries can be made. Customers can have packages sent to their nearest location when they are away. This allows customers to collect their packages at a locker at any time.
Last month, Parcel carrier DPD UK came out on top in MoneySavingExpert.com’s annual delivery service poll. Respondents who use parcel carriers were asked to rate their customer experience with the carriers they used in 2023. Fifty-six thousand votes were cast.
DPD received 55% ‘great’ ratings, while its sister company, DPD Local, maintained its third-place position from the 2023 poll, alongside DHL also held its spot in fourth place.
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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.
