The technology of smart lockers has established itself as an innovative and efficient solution, winning over retailers, industries, and consumers on a global scale. Originating in Europe in 2002, smart lockers arrived in Brazil in 2012, but it was only from 2019 onwards, with the introduction of new business and service models, that they gained the necessary scale to support e-commerce, a sector under heavy pressure due to new demands brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic starting in 2020.
For consumers, smart lockers represent a leap in comfort, practicality, and convenience. The ability to pick up packages in a secure location at the most convenient time has transformed the online shopping experience.
A report prepared by E-commerce Update (a Brazilian company specialized in producing content about the e-commerce sector) in July 2024 mentions that flexible hours are paramount for 30% of Brazilian professionals. Although this study is not specific to smart lockers, it shows the importance of flexible hours in general.
For businesses, adopting this technology significantly facilitates delivery logistics, resulting in a substantial reduction in shipping expenses, optimizing processes, and minimizing operational costs. According to the Brazilian Association of Electronic Commerce (ABComm), the use of smart lockers can reduce operational costs by centralizing deliveries at a single point, avoiding the need for returns and temporary warehouses.
In addition to the direct benefits for consumers and businesses, smart lockers also contribute to sustainability. The concentration of deliveries at a single point and the consequent reduction in mileage traveled by transport vehicles result in a significant decrease in CO2 emissions per delivery, aligning convenience and efficiency with environmental responsibility.
The growing popularity of smart lockers demonstrates their effectiveness as a solution to modern logistics challenges, offering tangible benefits for everyone involved in the supply chain and establishing themselves as a trend that is here to stay.
