Zalando is looking to recruit private citizens such as stay-at-home parents and the self-employed manage new click and collect service points in a three-month pilot with PostNord.
The fashion giant will introduce 50 of the points in residential areas of the cities of Copenhagen and Aarhus. Customers can choose the option at checkout on Zalando.dk, with the service points offering opening hours between 4PM and 8PM.
The “community service points” will be managed by local residents who already spend most of the day at home in exchange for a “small monthly income”.
PostNord will provide the delivery to the Zalando click and collect points, the IT systems and manage the communication with the end users.
As well as adding convenience, Zalando expects the new fulfilment method to reduce environmental impact due to using fewer, more efficient routes.
Remko Bakker, lead Zalando Logistics Platform Services, says, “Testing is part of Zalando’s DNA. We continuously innovate and rethink our services to offer our customers more flexibility and variety.
“Complementing the existing network with private pick-up and drop-off points could add tremendous value and customer convenience, since they offer a win-win situation for both the private operators and customers.
“People who are at home can help their community by accepting parcels for their neighbours and in return they receive a small compensation.”
Stine Sander, head of ecommerce and communication, PostNord Denmark, said: “PostNord is always ready to test new initiatives and to contribute to the development and growth of ecommerce.”
Zalando has been looking for ways to cut down its logistics costs while retaining its generous delivery promise
Zalando recently introduced a click and return service in Italy.
In April the company ended free delivery in the UK, Ireland and Spain.
