InPost to roll out up to 500 parcel machines in Tesco stores across the UK
InPost has today announced a new partnership with Tesco Plc, the UK’s largest supermarket chain.
The deal will see InPost’s automated parcel machines (APMs) deployed across Tesco’s entire large-format store estate in the UK, potentially up to 500 sites, by the end of November.
This new partnership adds InPost’s lockers to Tesco’s concession offering, increasing the range of services and facilities Tesco has to offer its customers at stores and further maximising the value of its commercial real estate.
With Christmas fast approaching, the new parcel machines will bring extra convenience and much needed postal services to existing community hubs, providing shoppers with a fast, convenient and greener way to collect their online orders or send parcels.
They will also be able to drop off returns in seconds thanks to InPost’s market-leading paperless Instant Returns service, whilst 24/7 accessibility provides a vital service to key and shift workers in the community.
Jason Tavaria, CEO at InPost UK, said: “We’re incredibly proud to provide Tesco shoppers across the country with the most convenient way to collect parcels and make returns. Very soon they’ll also be able to enjoy our enhanced service for posting items, making it even easier to skip the queues and send parcels using lockers. People are always looking for new ways to access essential amenities and convenient services that fit in around their busy lives, saving them time and effort. Our lockers do just that. And by reducing the number of deliveries needed, the new lockers will reduce local traffic, helping create more sustainable, greener communities.”
Louise Goodland, Head of Strategic Retail Partnerships at Tesco, said: “We’re delighted to be improving the range of services in our stores by partnering with InPost. The new partnership will enable customers to collect and send parcels alongside their weekly shop. We know our customers are always looking for ways to make their lives easier, and to save time and effort. The new lockers will help them do just that.”
In a clear sign of Tesco’s commitment to the new partnership, more than 200 lockers are already installed, with the supermarket chain opting to go straight to a national rollout of these, rather than a pilot scheme.
Once the InPost APM network is fully operational across all of the planned Tesco locations, it has the potential to eliminate 250,000 last mile deliveries, reducing carbon emissions by up to 70% per parcel versus home delivery. This will help reduce congestion in local areas by reducing the number of deliveries needed, and create healthier and greener local communities. It also supports Tesco’s ambition to become a zero-carbon business by 2050.
