Last update: 05.08.2025
In this blog:
- Evolving delivery preferences: Beyond home delivery
- Sustainability: The powerful upside of shared delivery points
- Convenience in motion: When pick‑up points outperform doorstep delivery
- Operational advantages: Efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability
- Location matters: Strategic positioning of lockers & pick‑up points
- The road ahead: Why integration matters now
- Further reading: Pick‑up points & lockers trend FAQs
Evolving delivery preferences: Beyond home delivery
During the pandemic, most people became very familiar with ordering deliveries to their home, as working-from-home grew as a trend. However, now that the world has opened up again, and everyone’s beginning to enjoy the beginning of spring, and the freedom of the outside world, we’re looking to the future, in order to understand what life will look like after the pandemic.
When it comes to pick-up points, and lockers, these options are expanding across various countries, with companies such as Amazon increasing their delivery options. What role do these alternative delivery locations play in the future of shipping?
During the pandemic, most people became accustomed to receiving deliveries at home. But as life opens up again, we're shifting focus to what comes next. In this post, we'll explore how pick‑up points and lockers are becoming central to the evolving delivery landscape—and why retailers should take notice.
Sustainability: The powerful upside of shared delivery points
One of the main benefits of pick-up points, and lockers, is the sustainability of these methods. Whilst plenty of customers are open-minded to click and collect from a variety of locations, such as shops or lockers, a key angle for both retailers, and consumers alike, is the benefit that this method has on the environment.
Lockers and pick‑up points aren’t just convenient—they're eco-friendly. By centralizing multiple deliveries, drivers can reduce fuel usage and emissions compared to stopping at individual homes.
This aligns with consumer preferences: 60‑80% say they’d choose a carbon‑friendly delivery alternative if available—demonstrating the strategic importance of sustainable options.
Convenience in motion: When pick‑up points outperform doorstep delivery
In our home delivery survey, with IMRG, we asked 1,000 UK consumers which delivery option would be preferred, when excluding home delivery. This was to find out what key trends might emerge in the future, and how retailers can stay ahead of customer demand. Interestingly, the most popular answer was to click and collect from a shop (38%), followed closely by ‘other’ (37%). Almost 15% of people would like to try delivery to work, or collecting from a locker, or another location. Consumers may be more open minded to different delivery locations in the future, than we think.
And looking ahead to the future what delivery option do you think will be your most preferred option?
(Source: Maru, nShift and IMRG Home Delivery Report)
The role that pick-up points play in the future could be a big one, as they offer customers a more sustainable alternative to deliveries to their home. This is because the driver doesn’t need to drive to each individual person’s house, but instead, can leave many packages at one location, therefore saving fuel.
nShift and IMRG's survey of 1,000 UK consumers revealed that when home delivery isn't an option, 38% prefer click-and-collect from a shop, while 15% are open to collecting from work, lockers, or other locations. This shows a growing comfort with self-service and alternative delivery formats.
Delivery lockers offer unmatched flexibility—and availability. For instance, in Germany, DHL's Packstations are used by 90% of the population within 10 minutes of home.
Moreover, over 70% of shoppers cite delivery choice—including locker or collection options—as a key factor that could reduce cart abandonment.
Operational advantages: Efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability
We asked 1,000 UK consumers about their attitudes to carbon-friendly shipping, with the question, ‘If a carbon–friendly delivery alternative was available, would you choose it over a traditional method?’. Across the many years we’ve conducted this survey, the majority has always been firmly ‘yes’, as between 60-80% of people would opt for a more environmentally conscious option.
If a carbon–friendly delivery alternative was available, would you choose it over a traditional method?
(Source: Maru, nShift and IMRG Home Delivery Report)
There are also other numbers that prove the operational advantages:
- 600 vs. 60 deliveries/day: Lockers allow vans to deliver 10× more parcels.
- €121,000 saved per year: Realized in Amsterdam through locker use.
- Up to 59% lower costs: Compared to home delivery with reduced emissions.
- 1,300 deliveries/day: Possible via centralized pick‑up points.
Location matters: Strategic positioning of lockers & pick‑up points
It’s not enough to have many lockers—they must be well‑placed. For optimal impact, they should be:
- Visible at checkout and near common routes (supermarkets, transit hubs)
- Accessible without excessive detours for consumers
However, the reality of whether customers are willing to travel to get their delivery, or by doing so are burning more fuel themselves, could complicate the issue. Pick-up locations and lockers are a great option for those going to their offices, or where the locker is en-route to their destination anyway. This delivery option is definitely one to watch, as we live increasingly fast-paced lives, consumers may be looking for easy, and sustainable pick-up of their goods.
Why retailers should embrace OOH (out‑of‑home) delivery? Pick‑up points and lockers offer a trifecta of benefits:
- Boost conversions: More delivery choices lower cart abandonment.
- Increase loyalty: Customers value flexibility.
- Improve logistics: Fewer failed deliveries, lower costs.
nShift enables seamless integration of pick-up point and locker options directly at checkout:
- Connect to 1.2M+ PUDO locations across 1,000+ carriers.
- Achieve near 100% first-time delivery success.
- Improve route efficiency x5.
The road ahead: Why integration matters now
The delivery landscape is shifting. Offering locker/pick-up options helps retailers:
- Stand out at checkout
- Drive higher satisfaction
- Reduce delivery costs and environmental impact
Quick summary: Benefits of locker & pick‑up point delivery
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Convenience | Shopper control, 24/7 access |
| Efficiency | Higher delivery volume per route |
| Sustainability | Lower fuel usage, fewer emissions |
| Customer Appeal | Better conversion and satisfaction |
| Strategic ROI | Reduces delivery costs, boosts loyalty |
It’s all in the delivery
From checkout to emissions, nShift gives you full control of delivery management at every step — with branded experiences, smarter shipping, and access to 1,000+ carriers.
Explore the nShift platform
Further reading: Pick‑up points & lockers trend FAQs
Why are pick‑up point or parcel lockers increasingly popular?
The global market for smart parcel lockers is expected to grow from USD 800 million in 2022 to over USD 2 billion by 2030. In Europe, 54% of online shoppers in Poland prefer collecting orders from parcel lockers. The shift was accelerated by COVID‑19 and rising e‑commerce demand.
How do out‑of‑home (OOH) solutions reduce last‑mile costs?
OOH methods like lockers centralize deliveries and dramatically cut the number of stops, which cuts costs. Couriers can drop ~1,300 parcels per day at locker sites vs 150–200 via home delivery.
Do parcel lockers help with sustainability and efficiency?
Yes—they can reduce local emissions by up to 35%. In Europe’s high‑volume markets, 50% of deliveries already happen via OOH, with predictions skyrocketing in the coming years.
By how much can parcel lockers cut delivery operational costs?
The use of lockers cuts delivery van costs significantly—in one Amsterdam district, switching delivered savings of €500/day, or €121K/year. Galvanizing scale, Geopost expanded locker count by 63% and DHL by 50% globally.
Are parcel lockers more convenient for customers?
Absolutely. Retail Economics and InPost found that over 50% of UK consumers now use lockers; Gen Z and millennials lead usage (71% and 68%). Lockers offer convenience, lower cost, speed, and added security.
Who are some leading locker providers expanding their networks?
In Europe, InPost in the UK now has ~8,600 lockers and adds ~100 weekly. Royal Mail is deploying lockers inside Sainsbury’s stores in the UK.
What are the challenges in implementing locker systems?
Key challenges include selecting ideal locations, zoning regulations, upfront infrastructure costs, and integrating with existing logistics systems.
