Japan Post to provide delivery to parcel lockers for Rakuten
E-commerce giant Rakuten has launched a new delivery service with Japan Post that will make use of parcel lockers. The service for the Rakuten Ichiba online shopping mall will start from April, delivering to “Yu-Pack” branded parcel lockers that Japan Post is planning to establish within Tokyo.
Japan Post is intending to install parcel lockers in 30 locations around the capital, including within post offices. Consumers will be able to select their local parcel locker location when checking out, and will be able to pick up items whenever they wish using a password sent to their email.
Rakuten said that in line with the expansion of the e-commerce market in recent years, consumers now require a broader range of options for the delivery of their purchases.
“This service, through collaboration with Japan Post, will allow users to receive their online purchases from Rakuten Ichiba at lockers set up by Japan Post. As a result, Rakuten Ichiba users will be able to receive their deliveries at a time of their choosing, in keeping with growing diversity of users’ lifestyles,” Rakuten explained in a statement.
“It will also contribute to improving the efficiency of shipping, as it enables the completion of a delivery in just one shipment.”
Tokyo-based Rakuten turns over about $4.6bn a year, with its e-commerce platform Rakuten Ichiba being the largest in Japan and one of the largest in the world by sales.
