PostNL is investing an additional €50 million in expanding its network
TOP MAGAZINE · Road Transport
PostNL is focusing on a large-scale roll-out of parcel lockers with an additional investment of 50 million euros for 2027–2028. The logistics provider expects to expand the network to around 7,500 parcel lockers by 2031, enabling nearly 40 per cent of parcels to be collected from a location other than the recipient’s home.
Major investment in locker network roll-out
PostNL has announced an additional investment of 50 million euros in the further expansion of its logistics network, with a view to increasing the number of parcel lockers in the Netherlands. This investment is in addition to the expenditure already planned for the development of so-called out-of-home delivery. The number of parcel lockers is expected to rise to around 7,500 by 2031.
The aim is to provide virtually the entire population with access to a PostNL parcel locker within a seven-minute journey time. The locations are selected on the basis of data, location analysis and changing consumer behaviour. This is in line with the rapidly growing demand for flexibility in the dispatch, collection and return of parcels.
Transition to out-of-home delivery
The proportion of parcels collected outside the home currently stands at around 13 per cent in the Netherlands. PostNL expects this proportion to rise to approximately 40 per cent by 2031. Offering freedom of choice is seen as the answer to changing consumer expectations.
At the same time, the company is combining various delivery options – from home delivery to collection points and a rapidly expanding network of lockers – into a single integrated logistics system. Thanks to this scalable approach, investments can be tailored to market dynamics, volumes and the actual usage of the lockers.
Efficiency, data and margins
PostNL is linking this expansion to new logistics flows, utilising its own sorting and transport networks focused on out-of-home deliveries. Density plays a central role here: the higher the usage and concentration of lockers, the lower the cost per parcel.
The company uses data and artificial intelligence to optimise the distribution and capacity of lockers. According to PostNL, this focus on efficiency and the growth of out-of-home deliveries will lead to a structural reduction in parcel costs and improved margins from 2028 onwards.
What does this mean for your parcel?
TOP’s analysis based on the above developments.
Planning
Shippers must take into account an increasing proportion of out-of-home deliveries; spreading deliveries across multiple collection points requires flexible coordination of transport schedules.
Costs
A higher delivery density and more intensive use of lockers could lead to structurally lower delivery costs per consignment in the long term.
Points to note
The choice of locker locations and user behaviour are key to optimisation; it pays to retain control over lockers as a delivery option at the online checkout.
Sources
Warehouse Totaal — PostNL invests an additional 50 million in ‘new’ logistics network
Ideal Investisseur — PostNL targets 7,500 parcel lockers by 2031 and margin improvement from 2028
Image: TOP archive, for illustrative purposes.