Speaking to Convenience Store this week, Paul Selvey (below left), network director at locker provider InPost UK, said he expects the use of lockers in convenience stores to grow this year, and offered some advice for any retailers not already offering the service.
“We continue to see rapid growth in locker usage across the UK and with our delivery service quality continuing to improve, we expect even further acceleration in the adoption of locker use in the months to come.”
Selvey also noted that, across the country, the availability of lockers for shoppers is also seeing growth: “75% of the population in major cities such as Birmingham, Manchester and London live within a seven-minute walk of an InPost out-of-home point, allowing us reach over 51% of the entire UK population.
“Our ambition is to grow our network significantly to cater for this rising demand and ensure even more of the population can benefit from the convenience of locker deliveries.
According to InPost’ recent results, there were record parcel volumes for the UK and Ireland in 2025, with Selvey predicting further growth. “As more consumers use lnPost lockers and experience their convenience and ease of use, our expanding network will allow even more people to benefit from these modern delivery solutions that fit in seamlessly with our daily lives,” he added.
“We now have over 14,623 automated parcel machines across the UK. We expect that number to continue to grow in the year ahead as more retailers realise the many benefits of hosting InPost Lockers at their store. “
Some retailers might wonder what makes a store suitable for a parcel locker, and Selvey was happy to elaborate. “The ideal host location is very much centred around customer convenience and fitting into their everyday routines. Convenience stores have emerged as a very strong format for locker-driven footfall.
“Up to 65% of convenience store visits are now prompted by the presence of a parcel locker, with 73% of those visitors making a purchase and spending £11.90 on average, but £18.30 when they intended to purchase - and £5.20 even when they didn’t plan to buy anything.”
“Hosting lockers sets a new standard for customer loyalty in convenience stores …”
Selvey added that having a locker in store also makes sense in terms of customer loyalty: “Hosting lockers sets a new standard for customer loyalty in convenience stores, as demand for flexible and reliable delivery solutions are shaping where people shop.
“56% of users say they have a more positive opinion of a store because of the lockers. 83% would switch stores if they were removed. In such a competitive sector where local loyalty is everything, hosting InPost Lockers gives convenience stores a new edge.
“We’re also diversifying our network to fit into customer needs - our FA grassroots football and Post Office partnerships both reflect that community-based locations are meaningful locker hosts.”
Retailers can also maximise store sales from consumers visiting to use a locker, as Selvey explained. “For convenience hosts, the £5.20 average impulse spend I mentioned suggests real headroom. Retailers who use strong signage and position complimentary products prominently are best placed to capture the spend of incremental customers looking for convenient one-stop solutions.
“It’s all about offering customers convenience, a reason to visit a store and signposting available services through great signage and visibility,” Selvey concluded.
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