Tesco and Royal Mail have joined forces to trial round-the-clock parcel lockers at a select group of supermarket locations across Britain.
The six-month pilot scheme brings self-service units equipped with integrated label printing and QR code scanning technology to nine stores nationwide.
These innovative lockers enable customers to collect, dispatch and return parcels at any hour, eliminating the need for a home printer.
The trial runs alongside Tesco’s existing arrangement with InPost lockers.
Shoppers wishing to use the service must first purchase postage online, receiving a QR code in return.
Alternatively, those returning items can request a QR code directly from the retailer they are sending goods back to.
Upon arrival at the locker, customers simply scan their code and the machine prints the necessary postage label on the spot.
Tesco and Royal Mail have joined forces to trial round-the-clock parcel lockers at a select group of supermarket locations across Britain
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GETTY
This functionality proves particularly valuable for the many households lacking access to a printer.
Royal Mail currently operates approximately 2,600 parcel lockers throughout the United Kingdom, forming part of a broader network of around 25,000 parcel access points, including Post Office branches and customer service locations.
The trial is taking place at stores in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Barrow, Burnham-on-Sea, Bury, Cullompton, Horwich, March, Preston and Salisbury.
Jack Clarkson, Managing Director for Out-of-Home and Commercial Excellence at Royal Mail, expressed his enthusiasm about the venture.
Royal Mail currently operates approximately 2,600 parcel lockers throughout the United Kingdom, forming part of a broader network of around 25,000 parcel access points including Post Office branches and customer service locations
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PA
“We are really excited to bring Royal Mail lockers to Tesco stores,” he said.
“This partnership is another example of how we are making it easier than ever for our customers to collect, send and return parcels with us.”
The initiative forms part of Royal Mail’s broader strategy to expand its delivery infrastructure substantially.
The company aims to triple its parcel points to 45,000 by 2030.
A Tesco spokesman welcomed the collaboration, highlighting its benefits for customers.
“We’re pleased to introduce Royal Mail lockers across a selected small number of stores,” the spokesman said.
“Working with Royal Mail, in addition to our existing locker partner InPost, will give even more customers a convenient way to collect and drop off their parcels as part of their shopping trip.”
The supermarket giant views the scheme as an opportunity to enhance store accessibility and efficiency for time-pressed shoppers.
Should the trial prove successful, the initiative could expand to additional locations later this year, transforming the weekly supermarket visit into a comprehensive errand-running destination.