The technology ofsmart lockersconsolidated itself as an innovative and efficient solution, conquering retailers, industries and consumers on a global scale. Originating from Europe in 2002, smart lockers arrived in Brazil in 2012, but it was only from 2019, with the introduction of new business and service models, that gained the necessary scale to support e-commerce, a sector under strong pressure due to the new demands caused by the Covid-19 pandemic since 2020
For consumers, thesmart lockersrepresent a leap in comfort, practicality and convenience. The possibility of picking up orders at a secure location and 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 schedule flexibility is essential for 30% of Brazilian professionals. Although this study is not specific tosmart lockers, he shows the importance of flexible hours in general
For companies, the adoption of this technology significantly facilitates delivery logistics, resulting in a significant reduction in shipping costs, optimizing processes and minimizing operational costs. According to the Brazilian Association of Electronic Commerce (ABComm), the use ofsmart lockerscan 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, thesmart lockersalso contribute to sustainability. The concentration of deliveries at a single point and the consequent reduction in the mileage driven by transport vehicles result in a significant decrease in CO2 emissions per delivery, aligning convenience and efficiency with environmental responsibility
The growing popularity ofsmart lockersdemonstrates its effectiveness as a solution to the challenges of modern logistics, offering tangible benefits for all those involved in the supply chain and consolidating itself as a trend that is here to stay
