Blue Dart Express has installed India’s first parcel locker in Gurgaon, close to New Delhi, and is planning to set up a network of self-service terminals as it steps up its B2C growth strategy.
The first ‘Blue Dart Parcel Locker’ was installed last week at the Unitech Cyber Park, a new office complex located close to the expressway to India’s capital. It is the first of many such facilities to be set up at many locations across India, Blue Dart said.
With the Indian e-tailing industry expected to grow at 52% from 2014 to 2020, the sector has been witnessing phenomenal demand from across India, the company explained. “A spurt in online shopping activity in India has rendered e-tailing one of the fastest growing segments for courier firms, necessitating the introduction of such a service. Parcel Locker eases the delivery process for customers who may be away from the shipping address for long hours, effectively revolutionising the way e-business is being done.”
Recipients can collect their shipments from the facility 24 hours a day, benefitting customers who may not be present at home during regular delivery hours. At a later stage the Parcel Locker will also be used to collect return shipments from customers.
“This service uses mobile technology in tandem with specially designed lockers to ensure customers get all-day access to their shipments from a safe, secure and convenient facility. As soon as the package is delivered to the Parcel Locker, the e-tail customer will receive a unique security code via SMS. They will have to use this code to unlock the Parcel Locker and collect their shipment at a convenient time,” the company explained.
The Parcel Locker is initially available for prepaid e-tail shipments. In the next phase, the company will also provide automated payment collection consoles at the facility.
Anil Khanna, Managing Director, Blue Dart Express Limited said: "At Blue Dart we've constantly strived to provide customers with service innovations keeping in mind changing needs and lifestyles. Blue Dart is the market leading service provider on the last mile for the e-tailing industry in India. The advent of e-tailing in times when many customers are away from their homes during the greater part of the day created the need for a service like the Parcel Locker facility. Globally, this service has been a success. I'm confident our customers in India will benefit tremendously from such a mechanism that allows them the convenience of collecting their parcels from a safe facility anytime during the day."
