Responding to the increase in shipments during the recurrence of the epidemic
InPost - the leader in modern logistics in Poland - has opened its second central sorting facility at P3 Logistic Parks Mszczonów after the sorting facility in Piotrków Trybunalski. The new 17300 m² facility acts as a cross dock centre serving InPost branches from all over the country and a sorting centre for the key Warsaw area. InPost is expanding its logistics facilities due to growing interest in its services, including increased volumes caused by the recurrence of the coronavirus outbreak. Online shopping - especially with collection via Paczkomat®, but also by InPost courier - is safer than in stationary outlets. Thanks to the free InPost app, it is also possible to open the device's box on a mobile basis - without having to touch the control panel - which prophylactically prevents the transmission of the virus.
The logistics centre is located just 50 km south-west of Warsaw, along the S8 expressway and the A2 and A1 motorways - allowing for efficient and convenient logistical connections both to the south and north, as well as to the east and west of Poland.
"Unfortunately, we have an expected resurgence in the number of infections - and there are growing concerns about the development of a pandemic. From the beginning, we have treated the topic of COVID-19 as the most serious challenge for the logistics industry. The technological advantage of the Paczkomat® and the ability to manage parcels via smartphone are causing the InPost network to break records in popularity - using InPost devices is much safer than picking up parcels at stationary points. The new central sorting facility will help us handle additional volumes of parcels." - points out Rafał Brzoska, CEO of InPos t.
Due to the increased demand for logistics services, InPost is also significantly expanding its network of Paczkomat® devices this year. " We now have well over 8,000 machines across the country and are setting up more all the time. Therefore, our logistics facilities need to be prepared for the next waves of shipments, handling additional machines. With two equivalent central sorting plants, this ensures security of supply in the event that we have to reduce work at one of them or even shut it down temporarily." - underlines Brzoska .
InPost has also introduced a service "Parcel in a Weekend" - due to the growing demand for the service. It allows deliveries to Paczkomat® also on Saturdays and Sundays - the cost of the service is PLN 4.99 gross. Under 'Parcels at the weekend', parcels are delivered to customers at the weekend if the sending (i.e. the parcel is handed over to the machine or POP or an order is placed for the courier to collect it), takes place on Saturday by 1pm.
InPost is systematically developing its logistics infrastructure. As of 2019, it is the leader in leasing warehouse space in Poland. Last year, the company leased a total of 107,950 m² - 4% of the total net demand in the country [1] . InPost was also the leader in the KEP sector in terms of space commissioned in 2019 - a total of 57,863 m² - thus overtaking DHL and Poczta Polska on the podium. The locations launched by InPost in 2019 position the company in the Top 3 most active e-commerce players in the warehouse logistics market - with InPost second only to Amazon and Zalando, the global e-commerce giants.
The number of devices in Poland - 8000, exceeded the scale of Poczta Polska's own outlets (4600 [2] ) . Paczkomat® InPost is also available in Poland at shops: Dino, Lidl and Kaufland and in Auchan Shopping Centres . InPost has also signed a contract with the Auchan shop chain for the delivery of Fridge machines and a door-to-door delivery service. The functionalities of the InPost machines allow for the safe storage and collection of food, beverages and frozen food ordered online at Auchan Direct. According to Kantar TNS research, as many as 40% of online shoppers want to collect their groceries from Paczkomat® InPost.
In addition, InPost - responding to market demand - has launched a Parcel Machine® InDoor, designed specifically for indoor installation. With the devices, property owners provide their residents and tenants with the most advantageous and popular option for picking up their purchases. At the same time, they attract local residents to the location - allowing shops and service outlets to generate additional profits.
According to the Gemius report [3] The parcel machine® is the most frequently chosen form of delivery - it has overtaken couriers. This type of delivery of goods is preferred by up to 61% of online shoppers. This represents an increase in the popularity of the service among internet users by as much as 9 percentage points compared to the results of the 2019 report. For the first time ever, Paczkomat® beat courier delivery in popularity, which is chosen by 55% of respondents - the first result of its kind in the world. In addition, as many as 68% of respondents declare that the possibility to pick up their purchases via InPost devices motivates them to buy from a specific online shop - a year-on-year increase of 7 percentage points.
Every parcel from a Paczkomat® InPost can be collected via a free mobile app for remote box opening. The app already has 4 million active users and records several hundred thousand remote openings per day. The software was on the podium of the download list in the Google Play and Appstore for eight weeks. Thanks to the app, multiple people can receive parcels at one device at the same time. InPost will also soon make it possible to send parcels via an app installed on a smartphone. As part of its digitalisation strategy with InPost can now also be contacted using Google Assistant . The conversation starts by calling a bot called ChatBot Mat with the phrase "Talk to InPost". Customers can ask about, among other things, the status of their parcel, the nearest Parcel Machine®, and, new to the bot, the number for the courier. The same Bot is also available on Messenger, with all its functionalities.
InPost is systematically introducing new services - in 2020 it launched the specialised Paczkomat® Urząd 24, which it donated to the City Offices in Kraków, Gorzów Wielkopolski, Nowy Targ, Wołomin and Koszalin. They will allow residents to deal with official matters without the need to enter a building and have direct contact with officials. Further installations of the machines at offices throughout Poland are planned - InPost is in talks with dozens of cities .
InPost has also introduced the InPost Fullfilment logistics service dedicated to business customers. The company provides infrastructure and know-how and supports customers at every stage of the warehousing process. As a logistics partner, InPost offers the highest quality of service and automation of the entire logistics process based on its own experience. Thanks to the InPost Fulfillment service, e-commerce entrepreneurs can focus on the development of their business and not worry about issues related to warehouse facilities, packaging of goods and dispatch.
InPost is Poland's largest logistics operator, invested in by US investment funds Advent International and KKR. The company offers courier services and deliveries via the nationwide network of Paczkomat® InPost machines for individual and institutional customers, including comprehensive services dedicated to the e-commerce industry.
More information at: inpost.co.uk
