Global smart locker specialist Quadient has announced that a fourth carrier has joined its open locker network in the UK and revealed more details about a partnership with French carrier Relais Colis for the rollout of smart lockers in Carrefour retail stores.
In the UK, acceptance of Quadient’s recently launched large open network of parcel lockers continues to accelerate as an additional international carrier has recently confirmed its commitment to join the network currently being rolled out nationwide.
This takes the number of international carriers actively using Parcel Pending by Quadient lockers for their last and first mile deliveries to four. DPD UK and DHL were the first carriers using the open network. The names of the two other international carriers will be confirmed in due course, according to Quadient, as they make the new service available to their customers.
Parcel locker ambition
Geoffrey Godet, Chief Executive Officer of Quadient, said: “I am pleased to see such rapid adoption of our open parcel locker network in the UK by the main international players. With now four global carriers having committed to add our Parcel Pending by Quadient parcel lockers in their delivery options, we are confident that our open and agnostic approach to parcel locker delivery in the UK has become a key component both for first and last mile delivery.
“Whether it is for cost optimization, 24/7 availability or reducing fuel usage and CO2 emissions, the early and wide adoption of parcel locker solutions for first and last mile delivery confirms the relevance of our offer as a key differentiator in a growing e-commerce market,” Godet added.
Quadient’s parcel locker ambition in the UK market is to reach 5,000 locations in the coming years. As usage for the more than 150 lockers already installed is ramping up in the light of year-end peak season, the pace of installations is set to accelerate significantly in 2023 to reach around 200 new locations per month.
Quadient continues to look to develop the adoption of its network and expects to announce additional users in the UK, whether carriers or retailers in the coming months. Globally, Quadient now operates more than 17,300 units in major e-commerce markets such as Canada, France, Japan, UK and USA.
Relais Colis partnership
In the French market, Relais Colis, a key player in France’s out-of-home parcel delivery sector, is currently installing around 200 to 300 Quadient smart lockers in Carrefour retail stores. According to Quadient, these modular and scalable solutions support Relais Colis in managing its growing volume of parcel collections and returns.
“As the inventor of delivery in relay points, Relais Colis is a historic player in the market that must be able to adapt quickly while providing consumers with more options,” explained Christophe Cornilleau, CEO of Relais Colis. “Smart lockers are one of them, offering great freedom to consumers. It is a flexible solution that enables a service that perfectly complements the traditional parcel pick-up and drop-off point, but more importantly increases the parcel management capacity of our retail partners, and generates incremental traffic for them, while maintaining their core business.”
Katia Bourgeais-Crémel, VP Parcel Locker Solutions in France and Benelux for Quadient, added: “Our network of Parcel Pending lockers is attracting more and more players in France willing to diversify their delivery offer. Our collaboration with Relais Colis is a long-standing one. As we operate in the same field of last-mile delivery and share common values, we define ourselves as a privileged partner, convinced of the complementarity of our services. Today’s project within Carrefour stores is a powerful example.”
