National postal operator Lithuania Post has reported a 50% increase in parcel locker usage for the first half of 2016 compared with same period the previous year. The post currently has 80 LP Express parcel terminals deployed across 40 cities.
Juozas Buitkus, head of Baltic Post, a Lithuania Post subsidiary, said, “We have noticed that e-commerce is fundamentally changing the behavior and psychology of the customer. Going to a post office or waiting for a courier at home is seen as a waste of time for the online shopper. People cherish and plan their time more than ever, so self-service parcel terminals operating 24/7 are seen as one of the most attractive propositions for receiving purchases.”
To back up the company’s findings, Lithuania Post contracted international market research company Nielsen to conduct a survey on Lithuanian residents’ online shopping habits.
The survey showed that the three main factors determining online shopping behaviors are the low price of goods (68%), convenience of delivery (63%) and the ability to shop at the right time (62%). Respondents identified the most important criteria for online store selection as reliability of the store (91%), a detailed and clear description of goods (90%), low prices (86%), a wide range of products (86%), and fast delivery (83%).
The majority of respondents indicated that they had picked up purchased goods from a post office, but only 8% considered this the most acceptable method of collection. Fewer than half receive their goods via courier services, with 20% considering this the most acceptable method. A healthy 50% used parcel lockers, with 17% considering this the most acceptable way of picking up online purchases.
August 10, 2016