Co-op says the new lockers will provide communities with an “additional convenient service,” allowing people to drop off pre-labelled Royal Mail parcels and returns 24/7
The Co-Op is making a major change to 100 of its supermarket stores across the country through a new partnership with Royal Mail. The supermarket chain will introduce parcel lockers to these stores, with the first to come by the summer.
Co-op says the new lockers will provide communities with an “additional convenient service,” allowing people to drop off pre-labelled Royal Mail parcels and returns 24/7.
Collection will also be available at the lockers, although the companies have not confirmed an exact date for this implementation.
The lockers will provide shoppers with label printing services, meaning customers simply need to pay for postage online and print the label by scanning a QR code at the locker or request a QR code if they are returning a purchase. The Co-op has not confirmed the full list of 100 stores that will have the new lockers implemented; once installed, they will all be available on both the Co-op’s and Royal Mail’s websites.
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Royal Mail’s locker prices are listed on its website and are as follows:
- Letter up to 100g – 87p
- Large letter up to 1kg – from £1.55
- Small parcel up to 2kg – from £3.35
- Medium parcel up to 20kg – from £4.95
- Tube up to 20kg – from £4.95
- Large parcel up to 30kg – from £12.12
The move will take the total number of parcel lockers at Co-op stores to over 900 as Co-op also partners with parcel locker operators Amazon, InPost, Quadient and Yeep.
Royal Mail launched its own parcel locker network in December due to growing demand from online shoppers and the growing number of people selling on secondhand marketplaces for convenient parcel drop-off and collection options. You can find your local Royal Mail locker through its finder tool on its website.
Anna Malley, Director of Partnerships and Acquisitions at Royal Mail, said: “We are focused on rolling out lockers in locations that are as convenient as possible for our customers, so Co-op’s model of providing a hub for community services at its stores is perfect.
“Our customers are sending more and more parcels, whether that’s returning online purchases or selling secondhand clothing on marketplaces, so it’s crucial that we give them a wide range of options to do so. This partnership will help us to expand our network, creating even more drop off points.”
George Hayworth, Co-op’s Head of Online Development, added: “Co-op is focused on developing added services and enhanced convenience – we aim to have the best small shops, and work to ensure our stores are a convenient destination for a range of services that meet local needs.
“Including growing our network of lockers to help residents, commuters and time-pressed consumers pick up or return parcels at a time that suits them, quickly, easily and conveniently.”
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