Sainsbury’s has become the first supermarket chain to partner with Royal Mail on its rapidly expanding network of parcel lockers.
Royal Mail launched its locker network back in December to meet the rising demand for convenient parcel drop-off and collection points.
The Royal Mail lockers can already be found in six Sainsbury’s stores across the country, with more rolling out soon. To use the lockers, customers need to pay for postage online. They can then print a label by scanning a QR code at the locker or request a QR code if they are returning a purchase.
Jack Clarkson, Group Strategy and Transformation Director at Royal Mail, said: “Partnering with a retailer with the scale and popularity of Sainsbury’s is great news for our customers and the UK public, who will now have even more ways to drop off and collect their parcels in convenient locations.
“Due to the relentless growth in online shopping and secondhand marketplaces, there is increased demand from our customers for more parcel drop off and collection points. To meet our goal of making sending and receiving parcels as easy as possible, we must considerably expand our network. This is the start of an exciting partnership with Sainsbury’s that will help us to meet that goal at pace.”
Patrick Dunne, Chief Property and Procurement Officer at Sainsbury’s, added: “At Sainsbury’s, we’re always looking for innovative ways to deliver the best value, quality and service for our customers. That’s why we’re delighted to be partnering with Royal Mail to offer this fantastic new proposition at our stores. The lockers will be available 7 days a week, giving customers an easy, convenient way to drop off and collect parcels via Royal Mail as they shop.”
NAM Implications:
- Given the high cost of fulfilment in reaching doors…
- …any reduction of the final mile helps.
- The Post Office locker network seems a logical answer…
- …especially in terms of the possibility of facilitating a two-way flow (returns).
- Sainsbury’s joining in will be a plus.
- And a pointer for other retailers.
- Watch this space…
