Royal Mail and Sainsbury’s Team Up to Expand Smart Parcel Locker Network Across the UK

Royal Mail and Sainsbury’s Team Up to Expand Smart Parcel Locker Network Across the UK

(IN BRIEF) Royal Mail and Sainsbury’s have entered a long-term partnership to install smart parcel lockers at Sainsbury’s supermarkets across the UK, marking Sainsbury’s as the first supermarket chain to adopt this service. The initiative, which began with operational lockers in locations like Clapham and Kidderminster, aims to provide a cost-effective and convenient drop-off and collection solution for parcels amid the rise in online shopping and secondhand selling. The lockers offer features such as QR code-based label printing and will soon support parcel collection. This partnership is part of Royal Mail’s broader expansion strategy, which already includes an extensive network of over 1,500 lockers and 7,000 Collect+ stores, to simplify the process of sending and receiving parcels. Key figures from both organizations highlighted the service’s potential to enhance customer convenience and meet the increasing demands of a rapidly evolving market.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 8-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Royal Mail and Sainsbury’s have forged a long-term partnership to introduce smart parcel lockers in Sainsbury’s supermarkets across the UK, making Sainsbury’s the first supermarket chain to collaborate with Royal Mail on expanding its parcel drop-off and collection network. The rollout has already begun, with the first lockers operational in locations such as Clapham, Desborough, Kempshott, Low Hall, Kidderminster, and Chislehurst, and more scheduled to be installed in the coming months.

Originally launched by Royal Mail in December to address the surge in online shopping and the increasing demand from secondhand marketplace sellers, the parcel locker network is designed to provide a hassle-free, cost-effective solution for dropping off parcels. Starting at just £1.55 online for small parcels that fit through a letterbox, the lockers not only offer affordable postage but also include convenient features like label printing through a QR code scan directly at the locker. Soon, these smart lockers will also support parcel collection, further enhancing the service.

This collaboration forms part of Royal Mail’s broader strategy to significantly expand its network, which already includes over 1,500 lockers and 7,000 Collect+ stores nationwide. Customers can also drop off parcels in any postbox or use the Royal Mail app to request proof of postage.

Jack Clarkson, Group Strategy and Transformation Director at Royal Mail, said, “Partnering with a retailer as prominent as Sainsbury’s is great news for our customers and the UK public, as it provides even more convenient parcel drop-off and collection points. With online shopping and secondhand marketplaces growing rapidly, expanding our network is essential to make sending and receiving parcels as seamless as possible. This partnership marks an exciting step forward in achieving that goal.”

Patrick Dunne, Chief Property and Procurement Officer at Sainsbury’s, added, “We are constantly seeking innovative ways to deliver exceptional value, quality, and service to our customers. We’re thrilled to partner with Royal Mail to offer this new, convenient service at our stores, available 7 days a week, allowing customers to drop off and collect parcels while they shop.”

Notes to editors

About International Distribution Services plc

International Distribution Services plc is the parent company of Royal Mail Group Limited, the leading provider of postal and delivery services in the UK and the UK’s designated universal postal service provider. Royal Mail comprises the company’s UK and international parcels and letters delivery businesses operating under the “Royal Mail” and “Parcelforce Worldwide” brands. Through the Royal Mail Core Network, the company delivers a one-price-goes-anywhere service on a range of parcels and letters products. Royal Mail has the capability to deliver to around 32 million addresses in the UK, six days a week (excluding UK public holidays). Parcelforce Worldwide operates a separate UK network which collects and delivers express parcels. International Distribution Services plc also owns General Logistics Systems (GLS) which operates one of the largest ground-based, deferred parcel delivery networks in Europe.

About Sainsbury’s

Offering delicious great quality food at competitive prices has been at the heart of what we do since John James and Mary Ann Sainsbury opened our first store in 1869. Today, inspiring and delighting our customers with tasty food remains our priority and our purpose is clear – we make good food joyful, accessible and affordable for everyone, every day.

Our focus on great value food and convenient shopping, whether in-store or online is supported by our brands – Argos, Nectar, Tu Clothing, Habitat, Sainsbury’s Bank and Smart Charge.

Sainsbury’s has almost 600 supermarkets and over 800 convenience stores. Argos is a leading digital retailer and is the third most visited retail website in the UK, with over 70 per cent of its sales starting online. Argos is conveniently available for customers to collect from hundreds of Sainsbury’s stores. Digital and technology enables us to adapt as customers shop differently and our profitable, fast-growing online channels offer customers quick and convenient delivery and collection capability.

Media Contacts:

Royal Mail Press Office: press.office@royalmail.com

Sainsbury’s Press Office: press_office@sainsburys.co.uk

SOURCE: Sainsbury