This is an extension of the Parcel and letter machine tests in Almere and Limburg, where the new machines have garnered a positive response. PostNL now wants to gain more insight into the choices made when receiving and sending parcels on a larger scale, as the rise of online shopping has seen a considerable increase in parcel traffic.

Starting from the end of November, consumers can come to the innovative Parcel and letter machines at twelve locations throughout Tilburg to pick up their parcels or send a letter and/or parcel. In Almere, seven new machines will be added soon. PostNL will expand the programme to other cities in the Netherlands in early 2018.

Test to date

One year ago, PostNL started a test with fifteen machines in various Almere neighbourhoods. Six months later, six new machines were placed in rural areas in Limburg. Users in Almere and Limburg have praised the convenience added by the machine: there is always one nearby and they are available 24/7, making online shopping even easier. Almost 90% of users indicate to be satisfied, of which almost 80% claimed to be very satisfied. Consumers consider the machine to be safe and do not believe they threaten privacy. Based on the experience gained with these tests, new machines will have slightly larger lockers.

Parcel and letter machine

The Parcel and letter machines consist of a dual slot letterbox and several parcel lockers in various sizes. These innovative machines can be used to send and pick up parcels, but also function as a letterbox. To send or pick up parcels, consumers are sent a text message or e-mail containing a unique code that they can use to open the parcel and letter machine. PostNL offers an increasingly wide selection of delivery options, in terms of both location (at home or at a Post Office/Parcel Point) and time (evenings and weekends). For more information, please visit: www.postnl.nl/pba. The machines will be placed close to or at locations that already feature letterboxes. PostNL is continually striving to expand its network of PostNL Parcel Points, including these machines.

Source: PostNL