Sainsbury’s in partnership with the UK’s Royal Mail is introducing parcel lockers at the retailer’s stores across the country.
Royal Mail launched its parcel locker network in December to meet “surging demand” for convenient parcel drop-off and collection points and to cater for the growing number of second-hand marketplace sellers. Sainsbury’s is the first supermarket chain to partner with Royal Mail on its “rapidly expanding” network of parcel drop-off and collection points.
The smart lockers feature label printing, promoted as making the process even more convenient. Customers pay for postage online and print the label by scanning a QR code at the locker, or request a QR code if they’re returning a purchase.
Royal Mail Group Strategy and Transformation Director Jack Clarkson says partnering with a retailer with the scale and popularity of Sainsbury’s is great news for Royal Mail’s customers and the UK public.
“Due to the relentless growth in online shopping and second-hand marketplaces, there’s increased demand from our customers for more parcel drop-off and collection points,” he says.
“To meet our goal of making sending and receiving parcels as easy as possible, we must considerably expand our network. This is the start of an exciting partnership with Sainsbury’s that will help us to meet that goal at pace.”
Sainsbury’s Chief Property and Procurement Officer Patrick Dunne says the retailer is always looking for innovative ways to deliver the best value, quality and service for its customers.
“The lockers will be available seven days a week, giving customers an easy, convenient way to drop off and collect parcels via Royal Mail as they shop,” he says.