Delivery to a courier locker - is this the future of eCommerce delivery?

The opinion that modern automatic post stations (also called "automated machines" or “lockers”) are the future of courier deliveries is becoming more and more popular. And if we look carefully at all their benefits, this statement is quite logical.

This relatively new method of delivery fascinates with its convenience, as well as with many other benefits, which we will evaluate in detail in this article. There are benefits for both end users and online stores and couriers. In short - all parties involved derive serious advantages from the usage of courier machines.

What are the advantages of courier machines

Automated courier stations open up many new opportunities for everyone. For example, for end customers (recipients of shipments) they make it possible to receive sent parcels at any time of the day without waiting in line and near other customers.

Customers can receive their shipment by entering a unique code and pressing a few buttons. And paying for all services is quick and secure - with a debit or credit card. A big advantage of automated lockers is the fact that they no longer have to comply with the courier's work schedule. Most of the lockers can be accessed 24/7, or at least access is provided outside of couriers' working hours, thus making waiting in line outside the courier office a thing of the past.

Delivery to a vending machine is faster. Due to the optimization of processes on the side of the courier (for example, the reduced need for additional processing by staff), orders often arrive the very next day (or even the same) to the end customers.

In the same quick and easy way, it is also possible to send orders (with some of the courier companies) from end users - they just leave the package in the locker, pay and receive a unique code to share with the recipient of the package.

Improved ecology

A curious fact is that automated delivery machines are a much more environmentally friendly alternative to other courier services. Here is the time to mention that there are even such options that are powered entirely by solar panels and their harm to the environment is minimized even in this respect. But the big benefits for our ecosystem come from fossil fuel savings. When a machine is loaded with parcels, a single course is made to it. Whereas if the hundreds of parcels in this machine have to be delivered to an address, then the fuel costs and, accordingly, the damage to the environment is incomparably higher.

How do online stores increase their turnover through courier machines?

Studies show that modern consumers prefer to have a lot of options when it comes to payment methods, of course, this also applies to courier services. It's just that in the dynamic eCommerce world, everything is developing at an unexpectedly fast pace. That's why it's good to always keep up with innovations that can increase the turnover of your store and most importantly - improve the customer experience of your visitors. 

In our CloudCart team, we have experts with decades of experience in online commerce who closely follow the directions in which the e-commerce field is evolving, therefore we also have identified the potential of this innovative shipping method and we have a number of integrations with couriers that provide the option of deliveries through locker machines. Learn more about our shipping methods.

Now let's look at the specific benefits and how automated courier stations will increase the turnover of your online store.

Improve the user experience for the eCommerce store!

As mentioned - providing more shipping options is well-received by modern customers. Additionally, delivery to lockers is often priced lower, which increases conversion rates. Of course, the convenience of receiving, the lack of need to contact employees in the offices, and all other elements speeding up the receipt of the shipment are also serious advantages.

Can increase Average Order Value (AOV)

In this detailed guide to conversion optimization, we explain how the strategic use of courier companies and their delivery options can increase customer order volumes.

Reduce problems when sending shipments

Objectively speaking, the less human intervention we have in a given process, the smaller the chance of errors. With couriers and standard delivery methods, we have at least 1-2 more human interventions (for example sorting, storing, delivering, and handing over the parcel). All of the mentioned steps are often skipped when using vending machines. Ultimately, this results in reduced shipping costs for the online store itself, as well as saved costs from lost or confused orders.

Expert advice:‍

Don't underestimate the importance of a good courier service that can catalyze your growth. The truth is that most of us have encountered a situation where a customer (or ourselves) is waiting at the courier office, and the employee stares hopelessly at a wall of parcels, but does not find the particular one he is looking for.

Such incidents can have a negative effect on the online store itself. In the minds of end customers, the distinction between the courier company and the online store is often missing. For them, the process is different - they ordered a product and the finale comes the moment they take it in their hands. If there are problems in this chain, often customers unknowingly project the responsibility on the online store as well, not only on the courier service.

Disadvantages of automated courier boxes

In addition to all the benefits, vending machines have several disadvantages.

The main thing to consider is the size and weight limit of the shipment. It is logical that you cannot send huge shipments, such as refrigerators for example, but it is good to familiarize yourself in advance with the exact capabilities of the courier you want to use. There are specifics here when integrating with an online store. If the platform itself is not well adapted to this type of courier service, then conflicts may arise. In our help center, we have described in detail how you can activate the option to deliver to a locker machine.

Another still relevant problem is the territorial distribution of vending machines. For the time being, most courier companies have concentrated their efforts in larger towns, but the truth is that more and more courier lockers are appearing every day.

Conclusion - delivering to courier machines, is it the future of e-commerce?

We are far from forgetting about "traditional" delivery methods, but the truth is that there are more and more cases where delivery to a vending machine is the better choice. Another benefit they have is that they solve a big pain, which fortunately is not such a factor in Central and Eastern Europe. We mean the theft of orders that are left at the gates of the recipients' homes (a standard practice in the US) a.k.a as “porch piracy”.

Ultimately, increased convenience and security for both consumers and businesses, contactless deliveries available 24/7, automated systems, and lower carbon emissions make delivery lockers an attractive modern solution that can transform traditional delivery strategies.

And if you want to optimize your online store to perfection (or start your own CloudCart store) - learn how you can increase your turnover by using free shipping in this article.

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