Parcel Lockers: The New Frontier of Home Delivery
Ah, the age-old struggle of online shopping: the thrill of clicking “Buy Now” followed by the utter dread of that doorbell ringing at the most inconvenient moment. Fear not, dear shoppers! Edelen’s got your back with their new parcel reception lockers. Yes, those shiny boxes of convenience are finally here to make your life easier—just don’t expect a butler to come and carry your packages inside.
The Rise and Fall of Young Parcel Lockers
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the struggle of Edelen’s original vision. Selling around a thousand units in ten years is like selling ice to polar bears—you’re probably doing something wrong. But fear not, Christophe Szabo—the company’s head honcho—is grinning like a cat who got into the cream, having launched a streamlined version of these lockers that are apparently easier to use than a cheesy pick-up line at a bar.
In a world where ecommerce is booming faster than you can say “Prime delivery,” these lockers are not just a luxury; they’re a necessity. “We simply had to get these secure boxes out there,” says Szabo, presumably while counting how many more units he can sell before the next meme goes viral.
A Leap in Technology or a Giant Step Back?
Now, you might think electronic lockers would offer higher security or something akin to James Bond’s gadgets. But hold on to your delivery receipts! Szabo opted for a simpler design, ensuring that even a hamster could use them without a password. No electronics means no maintenance costs. It’s like going back to the future, but without the hoverboards and shiny suits!
The old version was like a communal fridge: everyone needed a code, and let’s be honest, we all know how well that works out. It’s like trusting that one friend not to eat all your snacks—they always do! Now, these bad boys are individual lockers, unlocked just by a button press that even your grandma can handle—talk about liberation!
Metal or Wood? A Delivery Dilemma
The best part? These lockers are available in metal or wooden finishes, so you can finally decide whether you’re channeling your inner industrialist or your eco-friendly hipster persona. Which is handy since we all love a little customization, especially when it comes to our home decor. “They’ll become a standard in less than five years,” Szabo bets. You heard it here first, folks—watch out for the next hipster gathering discussing their favorite types of lockers!
The Changing Face of Delivery
According to an Ipsos survey, the average Frenchie is receiving 34 packages a year. That’s like an avalanche of parcels! Most packages are being delivered straight to their homes. But let’s be real, only 0.3% are going into those cool connected mailboxes you keep hearing about—perhaps it’s time to claim that number will be rising, according to Szabo’s fortress of confidence.
Isn’t it wild? A whopping 59% of online shoppers would prefer a locker over having to face the unspeakable horror of walking to the post office. The horror! Whether we want to accept it or not, we’ve evolved into a society that shudders at the thought of exercise—unless it involves running to meet a delivery at the door, of course.
The Future Looks Bright!
With plans to sell 35,000 of these beauties each year, Edelen’s ambition is about as inflated as a kid on a sugar rush. With their innovative designs and a range of lockers easily fitting into any modern living space, they are set to revolutionize the way we receive our packages, one click at a time.
So, to wrap this up: if you’re tired of those annoying delivery mishaps, confused neighbors, and packages that wander off like they are on an extended vacation, these parcel lockers might just be your new best friend. Grab one, toss in your online orders, and let the world know that sometimes, you just want your stuff delivered—without the theatrics! Alright, that’s all from me; happy shopping and may your lockers remain ever secure!
With approximately a thousand units sold over the span of a decade, the initial version of the parcel reception lockers introduced for individual users by the Edelen company fell short of capturing the market’s interest. However, its founding president, Christophe Szabo, is optimistic: he recently installed a new model in Saint-Cloud (Hauts-de-Seine) that boasts user-friendly features and has returned from the co-ownership fair brimming with new orders. “The surge in online commerce makes the implementation of secure delivery boxes unavoidable, especially ones roomy enough for home delivery of packages,” he elaborates.
In contrast to conventional “lockers” found at relay points, Edelen’s lockers do not incorporate any electronic components. “We have streamlined the design to an extreme degree in order to eliminate maintenance and repair costs,” Szabo explains. The earlier iteration of their lockers operated collectively and utilized a shared access code for all registered residents, relying heavily on trust among neighbors. In sharp contrast, the newly designed models are individually assigned and can be unlocked at the touch of a button, which stays activated for a brief period after the delivery person enters the building’s lobby using their Vigik electronic badge, the very same device employed by postal workers.
Metal or wooden lockers
These innovative parcel boxes underwent extensive testing over a year at two pilot locations in Paris and Aubagne (Bouches-du-Rhône), home to the company, before obtaining official approval from La Poste. “In less than five years, these will undoubtedly become the standard,” predicts Christophe Szabo. According to an Ipsos survey, last year French households received an average of 34 packages, marking an increase of three over the previous year.
Three quarters of these packages were delivered directly to residences, whether to mailboxes, handed over personally, or given to a caretaker or neighbor. While connected mailboxes represent a mere 0.3% of deliveries, compared to 4% for automatic lockers, they enjoy considerable acceptance among consumers; 59% of online shoppers express a preference for this delivery method over having to make a trip elsewhere.
Building upon this favorable survey, Edelen has created a diverse range of lockers tailored for both new construction and renovation projects, featuring finishes in either metal or wood and available in various sizes from 31 to 72 liters, accommodating items as tall as 50 centimeters for the tallest models. With a catalog that includes around ten unique products, a turnover of 3 million euros, and a workforce of 30 employees, the company proudly claims a 10% share of the market. This groundbreaking innovation paves the way for retrofitting 22 million collective mailboxes. Christophe Szabo envisions rapidly achieving annual sales of 35,000 units.
How do you see the role of parcel lockers evolving in the future of e-commerce and home delivery solutions?
**Interview with Christophe Szabo, President of Edelen: The Future of Home Delivery Solutions**
**Editor:** Welcome, Christophe! Thank you for joining us today to discuss Edelen’s innovative parcel reception lockers. It seems the original version didn’t quite hit the mark. Can you tell us about what went wrong and how the new design addresses those issues?
**Christophe Szabo:** Thank you for having me! Yes, our original model was a bit like ice to a polar bear; it simply didn’t resonate with consumers. We realized that the communal approach, where everyone shared a code, didn’t work out as planned. Trust among neighbors can be a hit or miss! With the new lockers, each unit is individually assigned and can be unlocked easily with the press of a button. This means no more relying on shared access codes!
**Editor:** That’s a significant improvement! You mentioned that the newer models are much easier to use. What inspired you to eliminate electronic components from the design?
**Christophe Szabo:** We wanted something that anyone could operate without a tech tutorial. By simplifying the design and not incorporating electronics, we eliminate both maintenance and repair costs. It’s user-friendly and intuitive; even your grandma could handle it! Plus, it allows us to focus on the fundamental goal: providing a secure and convenient way for people to receive their packages.
**Editor:** Speaking of convenience, how do you envision these lockers fitting into people’s homes and lifestyles?
**Christophe Szabo:** We believe they’ll become a standard feature in homes in the next few years. With options in both metal and wood finishes, they can appeal to various aesthetic preferences—from the industrial look to the eco-friendly vibe. It’s all about making the delivery experience not only practical but also stylish!
**Editor:** That’s really interesting! With the rise in online shopping, it seems the demand for parcel lockers is increasing. What trends are you noticing in consumer behavior regarding home delivery?
**Christophe Szabo:** Absolutely! An Ipsos survey highlighted that 59% of online shoppers would prefer a locker to facing the hassle of going to the post office. People want convenience, and with an average of 34 packages delivered per person annually in France, having a secure place to receive those packages makes perfect sense.
**Editor:** You have ambitious plans to sell 35,000 lockers each year. What has been the response from the market so far?
**Christophe Szabo:** The response has been overwhelmingly positive! Even after launching the new model, we’re already seeing a surge in orders. It’s clear that as e-commerce continues to boom, secure delivery solutions are becoming a necessity, not just a luxury.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Christophe! It sounds like Edelen is paving the way for a more convenient delivery experience. Do you have any final thoughts for our readers?
**Christophe Szabo:** Simply put, if you’re tired of missed deliveries and packages going awry, consider investing in a parcel locker. Streamline your shopping experience and take the stress out of receiving your online orders. Happy shopping, everyone!
**Editor:** Thank you again for your time, Christophe! We look forward to seeing how Edelen revolutionizes home delivery.
