Tesco to launch InPost partnership across estate
The new rollout is set to reach up to 500 large-format sites by the end of November, and will also see InPost’s lockers added to Tesco’s concession offering
Tesco has announced a new nationwide partnership with out-of-home and e-commerce delivery company InPost, which will see InPost’s automated parcel machines (APMs) deployed across Tesco’s entire large-format store estate in the UK.
The new rollout is set to reach up to 500 large-format sites by the end of November, and will also see InPost’s lockers added to Tesco’s concession offering, increasing the range of services and facilities Tesco has to offer its customers at stores.
More than 200 lockers are already installed across Tesco sites, with the supermarket chain deciding to go straight to a national rollout of these, rather than a pilot scheme.
Once the InPost APM network is fully operational across all of the planned Tesco locations, it reportedly has the potential to eliminate 250,000 last mile deliveries, reducing carbon emissions by up to 70% per parcel versus home delivery.
The new parcel machines are also said to bring extra convenience and “much needed” postal services to existing community hubs, providing Tesco customers with a “fast, convenient and greener way to collect their online orders or send parcels”.
Customers will also be able to drop off returns quickly using InPost’s paperless Instant Returns service, as well as use the 24/7 accessibility the service provides.
Louise Goodland, head of Strategic Retail Partnerships at Tesco, said: “We’re delighted to be improving the range of services in our stores by partnering with InPost.
“The new partnership will enable customers to collect and send parcels alongside their weekly shop. We know our customers are always looking for ways to make their lives easier, and to save time and effort. The new lockers will help them do just that.”
Jason Tavaria, CEO at InPost UK, said: “We’re incredibly proud to provide Tesco shoppers across the country with the most convenient way to collect parcels and make returns. Very soon they’ll also be able to enjoy our enhanced service for posting items, making it even easier to skip the queues and send parcels using lockers.
“People are always looking for new ways to access essential amenities and convenient services that fit in around their busy lives, saving them time and effort. Our lockers do just that. And by reducing the number of deliveries needed, the new lockers will reduce local traffic, helping create more sustainable, greener communities.”
