Nearly half of Brits plan to use parcel lockers for Christmas

Forecourt operators with parcel lockers are set for a flurry of customers to their sites, with nearly half of Brits planning to use this service for Christmas.

According to InPost UK, younger shoppers are driving the shift in parcel deliveries, which will see locker use for receiving parcels rise from 34% over the past three months to 44%.

Meanwhile, its research of 2,087 Britons during December has found that usage for sending parcels is increasing from 26% to 36%, and for returns from 23% to 39%.

Convenience remains the leading reason for using lockers, with 46% of those surveyed saying they want to pick up parcels at a time that suits them, and 37% wanting to avoid missed deliveries.

Students have been the most prolific users of the lockers. Some 58% of this demographic are using the lockers to receive parcels, 42% for sending and 32% for returns.

This compares with 53% younger consumers in general, aged 18 to 34-years-old, having used a parcel locker to receive a parcel in the past three months.

Higher-income households have also been instrumental in accelerating locker adoption, with 47% of those earning £48k+, receiving parcels this way.

InPost’s international chief executive Michael Rouse says: “This Christmas, we’re seeing a clear acceleration in locker adoption across the UK.

“With 44% of people planning to use parcel lockers for their festive deliveries, it’s clear that consumers want convenient and flexible options that save time and reduce frustration. Parcel lockers are helping people reclaim their time during the busiest season of the year – no more waiting at home or worrying about missed deliveries.”