Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has partnered with Royal Mail, the British postal service and courier company, to launch parcel lockers at its stores throughout the UK.
The long-term collaboration is the first such alliance for a supermarket chain with Royal Mail’s expanding network of parcel services.
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Launched in December 2024, Royal Mail’s parcel lockers address the rising need of e-commerce consumers and second-hand marketplace sellers for drop-off and collect points.
Royal Mail has already introduced these lockers in six Sainsbury’s locations, with plans for further expansion.
The lockers provide convenient method for customers to drop off parcels, and will soon also facilitate collections.
With fees from £1.55 for small letterbox-sized parcels when booked online, Royal Mail is offering some of the most competitive rates available.
The lockers come with label printing capabilities. Customers can pay for postage online, generate a label by scanning a QR code at the locker and receive a QR code for returns.
Sainsbury’s chief property and procurement officer Patrick Dunne stated: “At Sainsbury’s we’re always looking for innovative ways to deliver the best value, quality and service for our customers. That’s why we’re delighted to be partnering with Royal Mail to offer this fantastic new proposition at our stores. The lockers will be available seven days a week, giving customers an easy, convenient way to drop off and collect parcels via Royal Mail as they shop.”
For Royal Mail, the partnership with Sainsbury’s is part of its expanding network of more than 1,500 lockers and 7,000 Collect+ stores.
Customers can also use postboxes for smaller parcels and the Royal Mail app for postage proof.
Royal Mail group strategy and transformation director Jack Clarkson stated: “Partnering with a retailer with the scale and popularity of Sainsbury’s is great news for our customers and the UK public, who will now have even more ways to drop off and collect their parcels in convenient locations.”
In March 2024, Sainsbury’s announced the discontinuation of Amazon’s Just Walk Out system at its Holborn Circus location in London, UK.
