Amazon Locker has just gone through a major expansion that brings the Locker network to more than 500 college campuses across the country, with many of them even having multiple pickup points.
This expansion gives students many more options when it comes to how their Amazon packages get delivered, and the move eliminates many of the delivery issues and barriers that these students face. The move also greatly benefits Amazon sellers targeting college students, and highlights the importance of simplifying things for your customers.
Amazon Expands Locker Network to More Colleges
Amazon just announced that the company is expanding its Locker network to over 750 college and university locations. The locations span more than 500 campuses across the country, with many of the schools offering multiple pickup points. These locations join Amazon Locker’s broader network of over 25,000 pickup points across the country.
This move brings secure package pickup right to customers in college, and the news couldn’t have come at a better time for sellers and college students alike, as it comes just ahead of the back-to-school shopping season, which is expected to see record highs this year.
While this expansion focuses on just colleges and universities, out-of-home delivery in general is on the rise, as people increasingly want flexible delivery options to keep up with their busy, unpredictable, and sometimes-hectic lifestyles.
Easy Student Deliveries with Amazon Locker
Using Amazon Locker is very easy for students. To get started, students can easily search for a nearby Locker, either by address or ZIP code, add it to their Amazon address book, and select it as their delivery location for eligible orders, at no additional cost. They can also view the hours and directions for each location.
Once the package is delivered to the Locker, Amazon sends the customer an email with instructions for opening the locker, either via a code, barcode, or the Amazon Shopping app. After delivery, packages are held for three days, and if they aren’t picked up within that window, the orders are returned and refunded.
However, if students are away during those three days, or unable to pick up the order for another reason, they can have someone else pick it up by sending them the delivery confirmation and instructions email.
The Expansion Offers Benefits to Students and Amazon Sellers Alike
Having more Amazon Locker locations across the country on various campuses provides several benefits to both college students and Amazon sellers.
For Students
Likely the main benefit for students is the convenience and flexibility that Amazon Locker deliveries provide. They can pick up their packages on their own schedule, rather than having to work their day around being available at a certain time for a delivery. There’s also no rush or worry involved, as you have multiple days to pick up the delivery if you’re busy.
Speaking of worries, Amazon Locker also provides better trust and gives customers peace of mind that their items are safe and secure. As a result, there’s no more stressing about porch piracy or items getting lost of damaged by other students or individuals being careless. It also helps keep private or sensitive orders away from the prying eyes of others.
Returns are also simple, as students can often drop off items they’re returning right at the Locker they got it delivered to, as long as it supports drop-offs.
For Amazon Sellers
The expansion of these lockers is great for Amazon sellers as it leads to much more reliable deliveries, with fewer issues like lost packages or failed deliveries. The importance of delivery reliability is impossible to overstate, as it can help sellers grow their customer base and ensure people have a good post-purchase experience.
Also, the fact that Amazon Locker deliveries can prevent theft and damage isn’t only good for customers, but also sellers alike, as they won’t need to deal with angry customers who go through these unfortunate situations.
Also, it may often be cheaper for companies to deliver many packages to one central locker hub and then have customers come and pick up the items, rather than delivering them to multiple spaces.
The expansion of Locker deliveries may also lead to higher conversions from students, as they know that they can buy items with the option for 24-hour secure pickup right at school, rather than worrying if they’ll be around when a delivery arrives.
Similarly, fast and stress-free pickups may make some students more likely to make impulse buys, as there are fewer delivery-related barriers to worry about.
Our Take
Finding Ways to Simplify Things for Customers
One of the main reasons why this change is so positive for all parties is that it simplifies things for the customer, without costing them anything more. It opens up 24-hour secure package pickups, reduces porch piracy and damage, eliminates missed deliveries, and integrates pickup into a person’s daily routine, rather than forcing them to go or be somewhere at a certain time.
Piggybacking off this idea, ecommerce brands should always be on the lookout for things they can implement or do that simplify the shopping and/or delivery experience for their customers. This could be anything from a clear layout, a quicker checkout process, transparent costs and pricing, clear product information, or easy store navigation.
Keeping things simple, straightforward, and uncomplicated whenever you get the chance may often go a long way in helping you improve conversions, boost retention, and build more trust with your customers, as well.
