de Buren looks to expand locker network through new partnership with Bruna

Hengelo-based de Buren is set to expand its Netherlands parcel locker network significantly through a new partnership with retailer Bruna. Robin Dragstra, de Buren’s CEO, told Post&Parcel today that, as part of a new pilot project, five parcel lockers have been installed at Bruna shops in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Venray. The lockers are installed inside the Bruna stores but people picking up or dropping off parcels will have 24/7 access.

“During the store’s working hours, they can enter through the main door. When the store is closed there will a side entrance specifically for the parcel locker users,” explained Dragstra.

Although the pilot scheme is launching in five stores, the plan is to roll the service out across Bruna’s national network in 2016. Bruna operates around 350 stores across the Netherlands, selling office supplies, books and other merchandise.

“The partnership with Bruna is new,” said Dragstra, “but de Buren has already been building up its services in the Netherlands for the past four years. We have 50 sites up and running, with lockers in shopping malls, universities and supermarkets like Plus, Deen and Spar.”

Some of de Buren’s lockers located in the supermarkets are refrigerated, so they can handle fresh food and groceries.

“Our plan is to build our network in the Netherlands up to 1,000 sites within the next few years,” said Dragstra, “and the partnership with Bruna will be an important step towards this goal.”

On 1 December, de Buren is set to install its first locker unit outside of the Netherlands. “We will be installing the lockers at a location in Brussels,” added Dragsra. “This will be in an office building managed by Tribes.”