InPost strengthens UK network and aims for 10,000 lockers by 2024

Parcel locker service provider InPost has announced a new partnership with retailer WHSmith, which will see its lockers placed within high street stores across the UK, as it works to develop “one of the largest automated parcel networks” nationwide.

InPost’s partnership with WHSmith represents the first time the parcel locker company has agreed a national indoor proposition. Typically, InPost lockers can be found in outside locations, such as petrol forecourts, shopping centres and supermarkets.

The news comes as InPost rival, Quadient revealed plans to launch a large-scale carrier-agnostic parcel locker network in the UK, with 500 lockers due to be rolled out this year and a target of 5,000 in the coming years.

Locker growth

CEP-Research asked InPost its view on the Quadient deal, but the firm was unable to comment. Jason Tavaria, CEO at InPost UK, did note, however, that “demand for lockers is growing in the UK”.

“Our most recent financial results indicated that parcel volumes increased by 157% [to 3.6 million items] in Q1 2022,” he commented. “As a business, we are on track to deploy one of the largest automated parcel networks in the UK, with more than 10,000 locker units in operation by 2024.”

InPost currently has a network of more than 3,500 lockers spread across the UK for consumers to send, collect and return parcels. “Most city dwellers in London, Birmingham and Manchester are now within one mile of a locker,” Tavaria said. 

“Over the course of the last two years, InPost has developed several significant partnerships, including with landlords such as Transport for London, Tesco and Westfield, in addition to supporting over 100 major retailers and marketplaces – from Boohoo and New Look to Schuh, Vinted and eBay,” he added.

WHSmith partnership

No specific figures were given on the number of lockers InPost plans to roll out in partnership with WHSmith, but Tavaria noted that “the roll out, once complete, will see hundreds of lockers available for use across WHSmith stores”. WHSmith’s high street business comprises approximately 540 stores in the UK.

The partnership not only signals InPost’s rapid expansion in the UK, but also its role in positively impacting high street footfall. Now, customers using WHSmith can send, return and receive parcels while shopping for books, stationery and magazines. In fact, 50% of InPost users go on to visit nearby shops and the majority (86%) of these, make a purchase, according to InPost research.

It is hoped that the collaboration will not only increase footfall, but also reduce local last mile deliveries, helping to create greener communities. Collecting at parcel lockers has the potential to lower carbon emissions by two thirds compared to home deliveries, InPost noted, contributing to the reduction of traffic congestion.

Gavin Brice, Locations Director at InPost UK, commented: “At InPost, we know that people are constantly looking for convenient and hassle-free services that fit around their busy lives and save them time. By joining forces with WHSmith, we are providing shoppers across the country with unparalleled convenience for collecting and returning their online orders or sending parcels. By taking vans off the roads, our lockers can also reduce emissions in local areas, helping to create greener communities.”

When asked whether InPost is looking to team up with other retailers to expand its network further, Tavaria concluded: “Over the past two years in e-commerce, there has been a significant shift in mindset, from use of parcel lockers as a minority service to one that is mainstream and critical to the success of smarter, greener communities. As such, we are always looking to explore new partnerships with retailers and landlords over the course of 2022, to continue our growth in the UK.”