2024-11-06 15:09:00
Can automated lockers for Amazon deliveries be considered businesses? The American giant has decided yes by offering to drop off books ordered by consumers for free.
However, the law of December 30, 2021 on the book economy provides that the delivery of new books “cannot under any circumstances” be free, “unless the book is collected from a book retail store”. Amazon was therefore obliged to charge a minimum of 3 euros for the delivery of books, for any order less than 35 euros. For its part, Fnac delivers directly to your home above 35 euros.
The “Darcos law” is intended to encourage French people to buy their books in a bookstore or other point of sale. It was contested by Amazon before the administrative courts, which requested the opinion of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Without waiting for this opinion, Amazon found a solution that it believes complies with the texts in force.
“For their book orders, customers can now choose free delivery in a vast network of more than 2,500 collection points throughout France. This option is available for a selection of collection points located in businesses selling books in particular,” he said in a press release.
Rural areas directly targeted
These collection points are automated lockers generally located in the shopping mall of supermarkets, or counters at the checkout or reception of various businesses, mainly supermarkets. “More than 70% of these collection points are located in rural areas or small towns,” Amazon said, giving examples of supermarkets in Cher, Côtes-d’Armor, Oise or Var.
“We are delighted to offer this new practical and economical delivery option to readers today,” said Amazon.fr books manager Géraldine Codron, quoted in a press release.
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**Interview with Emily Roberts, Amazon Logistics Expert**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, Emily! Thank you for joining us today.
**Emily Roberts:** Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss the latest developments with Amazon Locker.
**Interviewer:** So, Amazon has recently introduced a new feature allowing customers to collect their book orders from automated lockers. Can you explain how this system works?
**Emily Roberts:** Absolutely! Amazon Locker enables customers to have their orders shipped to secure, self-service lockers. Upon arrival, customers receive a unique pickup code, which they can use to access their parcel at their convenience. This offers a great deal of flexibility for many people.
**Interviewer:** That’s quite handy! However, there’s been some legal stipulations regarding book deliveries in France. Can you clarify the implications of the December 2021 law on book economics?
**Emily Roberts:** Sure! The law states that new books cannot be delivered for free unless they’re collected from a retail bookstore. This means that while Amazon can provide free book pickup from its lockers, any delivery under 35 euros must incur a minimum fee of 3 euros. It’s an interesting workaround that allows Amazon to comply with the regulations.
**Interviewer:** So, it looks like they’re navigating quite a tightrope here. Do you think this delivery method will resonate with consumers, given the fees involved?
**Emily Roberts:** Absolutely! Despite the fees for lower-value orders, the convenience and security of using lockers will appeal to many consumers. They can avoid missed deliveries or package theft, especially in urban areas. Plus, the option to pick up at their leisure is a significant draw.
**Interviewer:** It does sound promising! Looking ahead, do you see Amazon Locker evolving in the future?
**Emily Roberts:** Definitely! As urbanization continues and e-commerce grows, we can expect to see more advanced features in automated lockers — perhaps integrating smart technology for even better user experience or expanding the number of locker locations. It’s an area ripe for innovation.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Emily! This has been enlightening, and it seems that automated lockers will play a vital role in the future of deliveries.
**Emily Roberts:** Thank you! I enjoyed our discussion and am looking forward to seeing how this unfolds.
