To be located in different locations in a city, people can collect their parcels from these locker complexes. This concept is popular in the US and some European markets.
DHL has launched electronic locker services in some developed markets where people can use an electronic code to retrieve thier shipment.
Increasing online shopping activity has made e-commerce one of the fastest growing segments for courier firms. But more families are going nuclear with both partners working. Repeat trips raise the cost of delivery.
DTDC, the Rs 419-crore firm, may start a locker service in a year or so. Abhishek Chakraborty, Executive Director, DTDC, told Business Line that the company is evaluating an option.
“With 6,000 outlets in the country, we are in an advantageous position to let customers have an option to come and pick up their parcels from our franchisees. We would like to start such a service towards end of 2013 or beginning of 2014,” Chakraborty said.
Blue Dart, the Rs 1,500-crore firm in which DHL has a 75 per cent stake, has weighed such an option and feels it is just a matter of time before such services start in India.
Blue Dart, whose parent company DHL has automated drop boxes globally, has implemented a concept on such lines for its smaller business customers through vehicles.
“We do have a service for small customers through vehicles. The vehicles go and park in an area and small and medium enterprise customers can pick and drop cargo,” said Blue Dart’s Managing Director Anil Khanna. Khanna, who has evaluated the concept of automated boxes in India, said there are complexities such as land ownership and potential misuse of the boxes. Yet, he thinks it is only a matter of time before these services are launched.
Meanwhile, to get over the problem of locked homes, other steps that courier firms are implementing include sending a text alert or making an advance phone call.
Key word:courior locker;
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