University students lead the way in the explosion of online and mobile app shopping. More and more students are using online shopping to order textbooks, purchase clothing or electronics, and even cleaning and dorm room supplies.
The boom in online shopping by students is causing major package management problems for university mail services. Many of them struggle to find adequate time and space to properly manage the daily influx of student packages and deliveries. It’s a highly time-consuming process that is ultimately an inefficient use of resources.
Below we look at why mailrooms are struggling and why parcel lockers are the solution universities need to support a cost-effective, streamlined mail and parcel process.
Packages everywhere!
Global e-commerce sales will exceed $5 trillion in 2022, with total spending expected to surpass $7 trillion by 2025. Of this, college students hold a substantial portion of the market, with a spending power of $593 billion. From textbooks to writing materials to special sports or science equipment, each student requires items to help them complete their studies. And once the basics are taken care of, there are rolling purchases for other necessities such as medications, entertainment, and relaxation!
The typical campus mailroom has no way to deal with the volume of packages e-commerce has created. Indeed, that volume creates the perfect storm of upset constituents: the workers responsible for receiving and distributing the packages, the students who are waiting for them, and the parents and relatives who pay the bills. In short, the way it works today leaves everyone unsatisfied.
While the number of parcels continues to increase, the space to house them stays static. Once storage is full, where do you put the excess? Stack them to the ceiling, and you create a new problem: remove a single package and risk the whole puzzle-like pile crashing down. The space squeeze is real, and the best way to manage it is to get packages in and out on a rolling basis.
How can intelligent lockers improve campus mail center processes?
Parcel Lockers offer a cost-effective solution for campus mailrooms and a convenient, automated process for students and employees. Quadient Parcel Lockers streamline the parcel process by removing the constraints from high volumes of parcel deliveries and returns. Electronic lockers make parcel delivery and collection quick and easy, enhancing the student experience while streamlining the last-mile package delivery logistics for university mail operations.
Using a Campus Hub experience to streamline inter-departmental processes
Campus Hub facilitates a campus-wide distribution network that significantly lowers labor costs while elevating the campus experience. The platform allows universities to do more with fewer staff members while also enabling users to securely retrieve goods and documents on their time.
Campus Hub also offers another beneficial feature – simplified returns. Whether individuals are returning library books, classroom materials, or purchased goods, the system allows for an easy and secure way to remit goods to various departments and services on campus.
Parcel Pending by Quadient and You
Parcel Pending Lockers will facilitate your parcel management process by removing constraints from high volumes of parcel deliveries and returns. Combined with our Campus Hub offering, you will provide a solid distribution network tailored to your campus’ specific needs.
Contact us today to find out more on how a Quadient Parcel Locker Solution will benefit your campus.
Download a complimentary copy of our new eBook, “Higher Ed Reinvents Package Delivery with Parcel Lockers: A requirement, not an amenity.”