New study finds millennials, urban dwellers and office workers are “trailblazers” for smart lockers

A new study of 2,200 Americans conducted by Morning Consult for Pitney Bowes found that millennials, urban dwellers and office workers showed strong preferences for using smart lockers for their parcel deliveries.

In a statement issued yesterday (27 July), Pitney Bowes noted that, with 53% of all respondents nervous their packages will get stolen from their doorstep, there is growing recognition that smart lockers can offer “a secure, convenient, contactless alternative to doorstep delivery”. The smart lockers’ popularity is also boosted as – with lockdowns easing – workers head back to the office and are unable to receive deliveries at home.

Across all generations, the data proved millennials to be among the biggest advocates for smart lockers. One in three use or have used one, and three in four particularly like the security they provide. Seventy three percent feel good about using one as it positively impacts their carbon footprint, reducing emissions from multiple carrier journeys.

The study also indicated that urban dwellers showed a preference for smart lockers, with one in four already using one. This group showed the highest levels of parcel safety concerns of all cohorts, with 73% wanting a more secure way for their packages to be delivered.

Concern about parcel security was revealed as a major influence on smart locker usage across the study, with one in two respondents nervous about packages being stolen from their doorsteps and 66% looking for a more secure way to receive their packages. The study found 49% of respondents don’t like others to see the packages they order, rising to 57% of millennials.

While 48% of respondents who use smart lockers use them for everyday online orders, one in four uses them for more expensive orders. Contactless delivery was cited as a preference for 54% of respondents.

The study also highlighted the opportunity for smart lockers in the new, hybrid business environment. One in five prefer to receive packages at the workplace than at home, rising to one in three for millennials, and 67% of office workers say they would use a locker to pick up more expensive online orders, while many saw the advantage of lockers for wider business use.

Commenting on the findings, Kerry Caylor, Vice President, SendTech Parcel and Locker Innovation, Pitney Bowes said: “Our study reveals the popularity and flexibility of smart lockers for the convenient, secure pickup of online orders and business packages, as well as for other day-to-day applications like the collection and exchange of business items and equipment. As restrictions lift and organizations reopen their workplaces, fewer workers will be at home for deliveries. Smart lockers deliver a safe, touch-free experience which is efficient for organizations and enjoyable for users.”