Quadient (Euronext Paris: QDT), a leader in helping businesses create meaningful customer connections through digital and physical channels, and a major global parcel locker operator, today announced a new partnership with Homebase, one of the UK’s largest home improvement retailers. This new partnership allows Homebase to host parcel lockers as part of Quadient’s Open Locker Network, offering convenient, secure delivery and pickup solutions for carriers and consumers at its stores across the United Kingdom.
Neil Robinson, Head of Property at Homebase, said: “The introduction of smart lockers makes it even easier for customers to pick up or return their online deliveries in-store, as well as acting as an extension of our own click and collect service.”
The partnership is a further step on Quadient’s journey to roll out 5,000 open locker locations across the UK. These smart lockers offer retailers and consumers the ultimate level of convenience and flexibility. Thanks to the new units, accessible to any delivery partner in the Quadient Open Locker Network, visitors to Homebase stores can now pick up or return items in-store, avoiding queues, freeing up staff to solve customer queries, and opening up new options for online deliveries.
The average UK adult receives 72 parcels a year to their home, and 36 via couriers, but many are looking for a better delivery experience. Nearly half (47%) of UK adults are worried that the way parcels are sent and received is not sustainable. Not only do parcel lockers offer a more environmentally friendly option, but they help consumers avoid parcel theft and missed deliveries. In fact, 72% of consumers are open to using smart, secure parcel lockers.
“We are excited about this partnership with Homebase, which contributes to expanding the new delivery options we are bringing to consumers across the UK,” said Katia Bourgeais-Crémel, EVP Parcel Locker Solutions Europe at Quadient. “Consumers expect convenience at every touchpoint in their online shopping journey. Our ambition is to provide an unparalleled service for all players of the e-commerce value chain, consolidating multi-carrier parcel flows and creating an exceptional customer experience. By installing our open lockers alongside its other in-store services, Homebase can become a one-stop shop for customer needs, all while freeing up in-store sand team members and reducing the environmental impact of parcel deliveries.”
Parcel Pending by Quadient solutions leverage advanced monitoring and tracking cloud-based technologies. Customers receive real-time automated messages once parcels are delivered into one of the compartments. These messages provide unique pick-up codes to be used on-screen, or a barcode for touchless pick-up. The parcel lockers at Homebase are accessible to major UK delivery partners, ensuring that customers receive items in-store at their convenience.
For more information about Quadient Open Network Lockers, please visit https://www.parcelpending.com/en-gb/markets/open-locker-network/.
