InPost UK has today (September 30) announced a new partnership with supermarket chain Tesco to install automated parcel machines (APMs) at up to 500 of its largest sites by the end of November.
With Christmas fast approaching, the new parcel machines will bring extra convenience, providing shoppers with an easier and greener way to collect their online orders or send parcels. They will also be able to drop off returns thanks to InPost’s paperless instant returns service.
The deal continues InPost’s rapid growth in the UK, bringing the total number of InPost lockers in the country to approximately 2,500. InPost aims to have the largest automated parcel machine networks in the UK, with ambitions for around 3,000 APMs by the end of 2021 and over 10,000 by 2024.
Jason Tavaria, CEO at InPost UK, said, “We’re incredibly proud to provide Tesco shoppers across the country with the most convenient way to collect parcels and make returns. Very soon they’ll also be able to enjoy our enhanced service for posting items, making it even easier to skip the queues and send parcels using lockers. People are always looking for new ways to access essential amenities and convenient services that fit in around their busy lives, saving them time and effort. Our lockers do just that. And by reducing the number of deliveries needed, the new lockers will reduce local traffic, helping create more sustainable, greener communities.”
More than 200 lockers have already been installed at Tesco sites, with the supermarket chain opting to go straight to a national rollout rather than a pilot scheme.
Louise Goodland, head of strategic retail partnerships at Tesco, said, “We’re delighted to be improving the range of services in our stores by partnering with InPost. The new partnership will enable customers to collect and send parcels alongside their weekly shop. We know our customers are always looking for ways to make their lives easier, and to save time and effort. The new lockers will help them do just that.”