Will parcel lockers replace couriers? The future of last-mile delivery in the age of smart cities, automation, and green logistics

Automation in the last mile: are parcel lockers the new standard?

Just a decade ago, automated parcel machines (APMs) were a niche solution. Today, they are central to last-mile operations. In the OOH model, parcel lockers function as hyper-local microhubs, enabling mass deliveries to a single location and dramatically reshaping the economics of last-mile logistics.

In peak periods, an InPost courier can deliver up to 1,500 parcels per day to lockers – compared to just 150–250 for traditional door-to-door routes.

But parcel lockers are not just physical infrastructure. Thanks to integration with IoT, predictive algorithms, and real-time slot management tools, operators can:

• intelligently manage parcel flows,
• dynamically reroute congested locations,
• optimise delivery routes in real-time.

From an environmental perspective, the advantage is equally clear. According to the Last Mile Experts report, OOH delivery can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 82% compared to home delivery – driven by parcel consolidation, reduced failed delivery attempts, and growing rates of foot and bicycle pickups.

Smart cities & parcel lockers: a seamless fit

Progressive cities are no longer treating logistics as an external utility but as a strategic pillar of urban infrastructure. OOH delivery, particularly via parcel lockers, is becoming embedded in urban planning, transport policy, and climate action strategies.

Strategic locker placement – near transport hubs, along pedestrian or cycling routes, and in everyday access points like stores or petrol stations – is not coincidental.

The report notes that 62% of Polish users collect parcels “on the go”, drastically minimising the need for separate travel or vehicle usage.

With average distances to lockers of just 350 meters in Polish urban areas, OOH is arguably the most accessible delivery model in Europe.

Multifunctionality is also accelerating. Lockers now offer:

• standard and refrigerated parcel pickup,
• EV charging (bikes, scooters, cars),
• fully automated returns and dispatch points.

In Western Europe and Scandinavia, parcel lockers are increasingly evolving into urban microservice hubs, aligned with climate strategies, low-emission transport zones, and the broader shift towards sustainable logistics.

Open locker networks: the infrastructure response

Interoperability within open delivery networks is fast becoming a necessity. In Poland, Orlen Paczka opened its locker network to GLS, setting a precedent for shared access. Similar partnerships are emerging in Italy and Iberia (e.g., DHL + Poste Italiane / CTT Expresso), reducing redundant infrastructure, optimising urban space, and making it easier for e-commerce businesses to implement a multi-carrier strategy.

Poland: a blueprint for Europe’s OOH logistics

Poland has become the reference market for OOH implementation — leading in infrastructure density, delivery efficiency, and consumer adoption. As of 2024, the country boasted:

• 45,000+ parcel lockers (APMs) and
• 21,000+ PUDO points.

With 11.8 APMs and 5.6 PUDO points per 10,000 inhabitants, Poland surpasses countries like Austria (1.0) or Finland (2.0), despite their developed logistics sectors.

Poland’s model demonstrates that automation, scale, and customer-centric design can converge into a replicable, future-proof last-mile system. For other European operators and policymakers, this is not just a success story — it’s a proven framework for adoption.

What’s next for couriers? A changing role

Despite the rapid rise of OOH infrastructure, couriers are not disappearing — but their role is being redefined. When evaluating pick-up points vs courier delivery, the future clearly points toward a hybrid delivery model where:

• APMs and PUDOs handle the bulk of B2C and C2C volumes efficiently,
• Couriers serve high-touch, niche segments: large items, elderly customers, COD deliveries.

In this future, door-to-door service becomes a premium, not default, offering.

The bottom line: OOH as a strategic advantage

With failed delivery costs surpassing €14 in Germany and £11.60 in the UK, and one courier handling 10x more parcels via lockers, the economic case for OOH is clear. Add to that:

• higher first-time delivery success rates,
• fewer returns and complaints,
• better customer experience and loyalty.
  

OOH delivery doesn’t replace couriers — it optimises their role and repositions them within the logistics value chain. In a world driven by speed, cost efficiency, and decarbonization, the OOH model is no longer optional — it’s inevitable.

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1. Last Mile Experts: OUT-OF-HOME DELIVERY IN EUROPE 2025, PUDOs and Automated Parcel Machines

Krystian Palica
Partnership & Enterprise Development Manager

For years, he has been combining technology with logistics – today at Alsendo he is developing the Business Pro service and shaping the product strategy in the B2B segment. Previously, he spent over eight years as part of the OVHcloud team, and also gained experience at Atman, GTS Poland, and T-Mobile. He values projects where technology becomes an ally of business and automation provides real support for people.