With yet another new locker, this time in Alkmaar, DHL's lcokers now have room for over 100,000 packages. These lockers are located at easily accessible locations in shopping malls, construction and supermarkets, gas stations and at sports clubs. Every week ten more are added, so that by the end of this year there will be over a thousand yellow DHL lockers.
The use of the automatic lockers as an alternative to home delivery has doubled in one year. The same applies to shippers, who can place their package or envelope to be sent in the lockers at any time. The lockers can also be defined as the default delivery option in the My DHL app, which has now been downloaded 5 million times.
Lockers are primarily used for receiving packages. Still, one in five lockers is used by consumers for sending and returning a package. And that share is increasing with the growing number of consumers discovering DHL as an apt alternative for sending packages and envelopes.
The lockers range in size from large to small, making efficient use of space. Lockers can also be used for sending envelopes. Together with the parcel points in stores, they form a network of more than 4,500 DHL ServicePoints, from which shipments can be picked up and sent.
“The average locker has 90 boxes and the largest has more than 300,” says Pieter de Vree, director of retail and responsible for all DHL ServicePoints. “The final size is determined by the available space and the need. Our lockers are modular and can grow with the demand. We place them in places where people come often and easily, so that you combine picking up your parcel with other activities in the neighborhood. ”
The average time a package is in a locker is less than 24 hours. “There is still room for improvement,” says de Vree. “In the notifications, we urge recipients to pick up quickly. Then another parcel can go in. That also works to the advantage of the operator of the space where the locker is located; they then have more traffic and for sports clubs it means extra income for their club coffers!”
How does the locker work?
Sending or receiving via a DHL automatic parcel machine is safe and easy. The locker only opens with a unique code. This is sent by email and confirmed in the app the moment the parcel is placed in the locker. Users cite flexibility and convenience as pluses.
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