The popularity of parcel collection and drop-off lockers has grown significantly and the sector’s growth shows no signs of slowing, new research has indicated.
Around 115 million parcels have been processed using the lockers in the past year, split between 87 million deliveries and 28 million returns. Those figures mean 7% of all online orders and 12% of returns are handled by lockers.
The figures come from InPost, which reports a 39% growth in locker usage in the first three months of the year compared to the same period in 2024, with the firm handling 24 million parcels in Q1 2025.
Two out of five adults have used a parcel locker in the last year, while over half of under-45-year-olds use them at least once a month. A further 20% of consumers say that while they have yet to use a locker they would be happy to do so, indicating that untapped growth remains.
InPost’s research indicates that 88% of users combine visiting a locker with other activities such as grocery shopping, providing opportunities for retailers. Security is the primary reason for people to use a locker, with 15% citing this as their motivation for opting for locker delivery or returns.
Neil Kuschel, InPost UK’s chief executive, says the industry has “experienced immense growth over the last year”, and that while once considered a “niche” sector, lockers have now “gone fully mainstream”.
Kuschel added that “this staggering demand shows no signs of slowing”.
