Have you ever found yourself worried about an important last-minute work meeting while a delivery was about to arrive? Or, fearing your purchases might get lost, having to change your plans just to be ready when the delivery person called? Situations like this are part of the daily lives of many Brazilians who shop online.
According to recent information released by the Brazilian Association of Electronic Commerce (ABComm), this market saw a 9.7% increase in 2024 compared to 2023, totaling R$ 44.2 billion in sales in the first quarter of the year alone. The organization forecasts that this number will rise to R$ 205.11 billion by December. Given the growth of this niche, smart lockers are emerging as an innovative solution to overcome one of the sector's main growth challenges.
The last mile, which is simply the final stage of delivery where the package goes from the distribution center to the end consumer, is one of the most complex and costly phases of the e-commerce logistics chain, largely due to urban traffic and failed delivery attempts, which often occur two to three times during this process. In turn, the smart locker optimizes this dynamic by acting as a kind of intermediary, allowing items to be delivered and retrieved autonomously in both residential and commercial complexes.
In terms of the advantages that innovation brings to e-commerce logistics, we can highlight the reduction in operational costs. In cases of multiple deliveries, for example, the delivery person can deposit all the orders at a single stop, without needing to depend on the customer's presence, thus avoiding having to return to that address. This also reduces vehicle wear and tear, as well as the need for temporary warehouses located near the end consumer, enabling savings in rent and maintenance of these properties.
Another positive aspect of using smart lockers for e-commerce is the optimization of delivery drivers' time, since centralizing orders reduces the need for these professionals to cover the same area, allowing more deliveries to be made in a single day.
In this context, security can also be cited as a benefit. After all, to pick up the delivery, a password sent to the buyer's own mobile device is required. This minimizes the risk of breakage or theft of packages that are normally left at the consumer's door, and e-commerce gains in reliability. Finally, sustainability is a relevant topic. Optimizing routes and reducing delivery attempts decreases the emission of polluting gases and contributes to public well-being.
The truth is that in a country like Brazil, where e-commerce is booming, smart lockers are beginning to emerge in a revolutionary way. As digital shopping continues to grow and the demand for more efficient and sustainable solutions increases, the trend is for these systems to spread rapidly. The future will be connected and intelligent. There's no going back!
Holding a degree in Business Administration from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and an MBA in Capital Markets, entrepreneurship runs in the veins of Elton Matos, who is currently the founding partner and CEO of Airlocker, the first Brazilian franchise of fully self-managed smart lockers.
