Have you ever found yourself worried about an important work meeting that came up last minute while a delivery was about to arrive? Or, fearing the loss of your purchases, having to change plans just to be available when the delivery person rings the intercom? Situations like these are part of the daily routine for a large portion of Brazilians who shop on e-commerce platforms.
According to recent information released by the Brazilian Association of Electronic Commerce (ABComm), this market experienced a 9.7% growth in 2024 compared to 2023, totaling R$ 44.2 billion in sales just in the first quarter of the year. The organization's forecast is that this number will reach R$ 205.11 billion by December. Given the heating up of this niche, smart lockers emerge as an innovative solution to overcome one of the sector's main growth challenges.
The last mile, which is essentially the final delivery stage 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 typically 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 picked up autonomously in both residential and commercial complexes.
In terms of the advantages this innovation brings to e-commerce logistics, we can highlight the reduction of operational costs. In cases of multiple deliveries, for example, the delivery person can deposit all packages in a single stop, without depending on the customer's presence, thus avoiding having to return to that address. This results in reduced vehicle wear and tear, as well as a decreased need for temporary storage warehouses located near the end consumer, enabling savings on the rent and maintenance of such properties.
Another positive aspect of using smart lockers for e-commerce is the optimization of delivery personnel's time, since with the centralization of packages, there is a lesser need for these professionals to cover the same area, allowing for more deliveries to be made in a single day.
In this context, security can also be cited as a benefit. After all, to retrieve the delivery, a password sent to the buyer's own mobile device is required. Therefore, the risk of package damage or theft, which often occurs when packages are left unattended at the consumer's doorstep, is minimized, and e-commerce gains in reliability. Finally, sustainability is a relevant topic. The optimization of routes and the reduction of delivery attempts decrease the emission of polluting gases and contribute to public well-being.
The truth is that in a country like Brazil, where e-commerce is in full ascent, smart lockers are beginning to emerge in a revolutionary way. As digital purchases continue 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 is no turning 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.
