Former Yodel boss appointed chairman of InPost’s UK parcel locker network
Polish parcel locker firm InPost has appointed former Yodel chief executive Jonathan Smith as its chairman in the UK. As the company reached the milestone of installing 1,000 of its parcel locker terminals in Europe’s largest e-commerce market, it said its new chairman would spearhead further “ambitious” growth plans.
The firm aims to double the size of its network to 2,000 locations in 2015.
Smith left parcel carrier Yodel at the end of 2012 after deciding his role in turning around the company after a difficult merger with the old DHL Express domestic UK network. Yodel had more than a 20% share of the UK parcel delivery market at the time.
Prior to his time at Yodel Smith was managing director at DHL Express Domestic UK from mid-2008 until the takeover by Yodel in 2010.
His career has also included five years as Amtrak UK chief executive, and during the 1990s three years as managing director of parcel carrier City Link and six years as general manager of the British Rail railway-based parcel business Red Star.
Smith said: “InPost is a fast-growing business that is answering a very real need in the UK, using disruptive technology to revolutionise the retail industry. We have made sure we have balanced the requirements of all the stakeholders in the value chain. We provide retailers with the ability to reach shoppers more easily and we help make deliveries and pickups logistically more efficient, all of which makes for a more reliable and convenient experience for the consumer, helping to fulfil the cycle.”
Click and collect
InPost has been rolling out its “easyPack” automated parcel lockers across much of Europe and further afield to the Americas and Asia-Pacific region under different business models. Some of the lockers are run by parcel carrier partners, such as in Ireland where the network is branded Parcel Motel.
In the UK, InPost owns and operates the parcel locker network itself, offering it as an alternative delivery option for e-commerce retailers. Consumers are sent codes by text message when their parcel arrives at their chosen locker terminal, which allows them to open the specific locker holding their item.
The company claimed its network expansion means it is now more extensive than 80% of the UK’s top 30 “click and collect” retailers.
InPost said more than two thirds of UK post codes are now within five miles of a parcel locker, which allows busy consumers to pick up online purchases day or night. Locations include Morrisons supermarkets, petrol stations and train stations.
“The expansion of our locker network and the opening of our 1,000th locker location means that InPost is ready to support all parties during the peak of the next few months and to make sure everyone has a very happy Christmas,” said Smith.
“In 2015, we plan to double our network to 2,000 locations, making deliveries across the country even more convenient.”
The network of automated parcel lockers is building on the soaring popularity of click and collect approaches to e-commerce delivery in the UK. About 35% of online shoppers are now using click and collect services, which is expected to grow to 76% by 2017.
