As parcel locker demand continues to rise, DHL Group has launched an agnostic parcel locker network to complement its 13,000 DHL Packstations, which will continue to be available to customers for their DHL shipments.
The OneStopBox lockers will be available to all participating parcel delivery providers and will be located in central locations across Germany to provide an easily accessible service for customers.
Lukas Beckedorff, managing director of Automations-Lösungen GmbH, which is a subsidiary of DHL Group and producer of the new locker network, commented, “With our solution, we are offering consumers even more flexibility. Our goal is to operate the largest open locker network in Germany in cooperation with the various parcel service providers and brick-and-mortar retailers.”
Convenient parcel lockers
The machines can be operated via app or pin pad and feature an easy-to-integrate IT system with intelligent capacity control. This means that all parcel service providers who want to use the open network can enable their customers to send and receive parcels at the stations around the clock. In addition, retailers can deposit goods ordered online in the vending machines for their customers, so that they are not bound to the opening hours of brick-and-mortar retail.
“With the OneStopBox, we are breaking new ground. The OneStopBox is the first provider-open vending machine that is used by DHL and is also available to any other parcel service provider,” continued Beckedorff. “In addition, consumers benefit from an integrated click-and-collect service, which allows them to pick up goods they have previously ordered from brick-and-mortar retailers around the clock. The OneStopBox thus offers them even greater flexibility and saves them additional journeys.
“Our goal is for consumers to always be able to use the lockers – regardless of which parcel service they use to send their goods and who delivers the ordered goods to the OneStopBox.
Nationwide locker rollout
Initially, Automations-Lösungen will install around 100 OneStopBox machines this year in large German cities, with 2,000 more expected to follow in 2025.
“With our solution, we are creating additional capacity at locker compartments for all parcel service providers in Germany,” added Beckedorff. “The stations help them to deliver the overall growing parcel volumes, also against the background of the shortage of skilled workers in the parcel industry.”
Read more about parcel locker developments here.