Singapore to launch 1,000 open-access lockers nationwide by end-2021
SINGAPORE — A five-minute walk for most residents to a new parcel locker nearby from their homes.
This is the aim of Singapore’s nationwide open-access parcel locker network that was launched on Friday (30 April) to meet surging demand for e-commerce and last-mile delivery services.
Pick Network, a subsidiary of the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), aims to deploy 1,000 parcel lockers nationwide by the end of the year, an increase from 200 lockers currently.
These lockers are located in community clubs, Housing Development Board estates, and transport hubs.
In addition to the Pick lockers, Yahoo News Singapore understands there are about 600 commercial lockers from players including Singapore Post, blu, and Parcel Santa.
A typical Pick locker station comprises between 40 and 50 lockers in six sizes, from Extra Small, which can contain one ladies’ shoe box, to Extra Large, which can store a 21-inch medium-sized suitcase or luggage. CCTV cameras are installed at each station to deter theft while sensors are in every locker compartment to verify deposit and retrieval of items.
For a start, Pick has partnered e-commerce marketplace Qoo10 to enable consumers to select Pick as an option for collecting their purchases. Pick is also working to add Lazada and Shopee to the network by mid-2021.
Eight logistics service providers (LSPs) – FedEx, Huper Express, Qxpress, S.F. International, UPS, WMG, XDel, and ZTO – are also partnering Pick to enable parcel drop-offs and returns through its lockers. J&T Express, Ninja Van, and Shopee Xpress are expected to join Pick in the upcoming weeks.
Ahead of the launch, Pick surveyed residents on the installation of its lockers. Of the more than 12,000 respondents, 97 per cent of them indicated the lockers would give them greater convenience and flexibility, while 96 per cent said they would use the locker stations.
Speaking at the Pick launch, S Iswaran, Minister for Communications and Information, noted that from 2019 to 2020, Singapore’s local e-commerce sector grew by 87 per cent to $5.3 billion in gross merchandise value.
He said, “There is greater impetus to put in place extensive last-mile delivery infrastructure to better serve the needs of members of the public, whilst helping our LSPs achieve higher productivity and stay sustainable amidst this e-commerce boom.”
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