UPS Aims for Access Lockers to Grow E-Commerce

It comes down to UPS staying current with the changes that today's e-commerce creates. Just being able to perform traditional shipping options won't cut it alone. A versatile carrier is what UPS must become in order to provide what so many retailers and other companies require. This is what the latest move UPS appears to confirm what the shipment leader is in pursuit of doing.

Small biz trends recently reported UPS has officially launched its new Access Point Lockers. UPS initially had been piloting the locker program within nine of its' stores in Chicago since 2014. With the roll out, the carrier now has added 300 self-service package pickup lockers nationwide. This is aggressive expansion for a new delivery solution such as this. Plagued with several error shipment complaints from customers, UPS is seeking to quickly implement the locker system to establish a strong customer loyalty base now, yet especially for the fast approaching holiday season.

UPS Access Point locker program director Kalin Robinson stated in the article, “For online retailers, providing additional convenient delivery locations is one of the secrets to more shopping cart conversions, greater loyalty and happier customers. UPS Access Point lockers can be easily accessed when it fits the shopper’s schedule, giving an online retailer added value to present at checkout. The lockers enable more shoppers to enjoy the ease and simplicity of buying online." As more of its' customers desire simplicity with shopping online, so the demand grows for more retailers and carriers together to provide more simple, convenient delivery solutions.

“The increase in online shopping parallels the interest in alternate delivery locations,” Robinson added. “UPS Access Point lockers are one of the many ways that UPS is helping our customers offer consumers a great online shopping experience.” Online shoppers are desiring options, even the options that are fast. As e-commerce grows, UPS is faced with the task of supplying consumers, retailers and others with with innovative delivery methods that all of them can consistently use.

The world's largest package delivery company has even began to study Same-Day Delivery earlier this year. A strategic investment was made into Deliv, a start-up company that has created a niche similar to a Same-Day Courier, but utilizes a crowd-sourcing approach to perform its deliveries. The venture arm of UPS led a $28 million funding round for Deliv, making it clear that UPS is serious about developing value-added services. UPS also has taken a minority stake in Deliv and sits in on board meetings as well.

The UPS lockers will certainly serve as another reminder of how e-commerce has affected the way we do business. Customers are driving online retail to become as close to physical store shopping as it can be. A1Express has hundreds of companies that it provides same-day delivery for, as well as develop innovative same-day logistic solutions throughout the New York area. The New York Courier operates with the latest in courier technology that is essential for on-time and accurate deliveries.

Reference: 7.7.16, www.smallbiztrends.com, Antony Maina, UPS Lockers Serve eCommerce Customers without Delivery Address