UPS, 7-Eleven offer seamless commerce assistance

Online retailers who want to offer physical pickup of their goods have a new option.



Partnering with various retailers including 7-Eleven, UPS is expanding its “smart locker” program from nine locations in Chicago to 300 locations nationwide. UPS is adding 300 new Access Point locations nationwide. The lockers are usually outside and accessible 24 hours a day at convenience stores and other sites.



Online retailers can integrate the locker delivery addresses into their Web checkout process to provide customers with a nearby delivery location. UPS is working with 7-Eleven and independently owned and operated retailers to offer the locker program in select areas across the country. The staggered rollout began in June and initially will be available in Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington. Subsequent states are planned to include California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Texas.



When unable to make a delivery at a consumer’s residence, UPS drivers can leave a delivery notice indicating when and where the package will be available for pickup at their local UPS Access Point location. Customers need to bring the UPS InfoNotice alert or tracking number and a valid photo identification card.



In addition to self-service lockers, UPS also has more than 8,000 UPS Access Point locations at local businesses across the United States. These locations are primarily neighborhood convenience and grocery stores, dry cleaners, delicatessens and The UPS Store locations that offer extended evening and weekend hours. There are currently more than 24,000 locations worldwide.



“For online retailers, providing additional convenient delivery locations is one of the secrets to more shopping cart conversions, greater loyalty and happier customers.” said Kalin Robinson, director of the UPS Access Point locker program. “UPS Access Point lockers can be easily accessed when it fits the shopper’s schedule, giving an online retailer added value to present at checkout. The lockers enable more shoppers to enjoy the ease and simplicity of buying online.”



This service is particularly valuable to pure play e-commerce retailers competing with omnichannel operators that can let customers pick up online orders at stores. While Amazon.com is in position to create its own network of physical pickup points and lockers, many smaller online retailers cannot create the infrastructure needed to support such a program. Now they don’t have to.



Retailers that are interested in becoming a UPS Access Point location or hosting a UPS Access Point locker can learn more and apply online.