Parcel terminals for receiving online orders appeared in Kazan metro
Ozon, the country's largest multi-category Internet site and the largest network of parcel terminals, for the first time in Russia, installed parcel terminals in the subway. Two automated Ozon delivery points appeared at the Yashlek and Ametyevo stations in Kazan. It is planned to establish parcel terminals at 80% of the Kazan metro stations in the coming quarter. It should be noted that in large cities of countries where e-commerce is much more developed than in Russia, for example, in Hong Kong, London, New York, there are no parcel terminals in the subway.
Ozon's experience shows that the optimal locations for installing parcel terminals are everyday points of attraction for people: office centers, shopping centers, shops near the house, district beauty salons, computer clubs, clinics and even gas stations.
“Development of the e-commerce format allows involving local transport and service companies in cooperation with large e-commerce operators, and Tatarstan producers can increase their turnover through online platforms without increasing the cost of selling products. In addition, e-commerce projects contribute to implementation of social tasks, in particular, development of urban infrastructure by increasing the functionality of public spaces. So placing a network of parcel terminals in the subway removes from the consumer the restrictions associated with waiting for a courier at home or in the office. The buyer becomes more mobile, knowing that he can comfortably and safely pick up the goods on the way of his usual route at a convenient time. The city becomes a link between the consumer and the business: suppliers of goods receive additional “points of contact” with the buyer”, said Farid Abdulganiyev, Minister of Economy of Tatarstan.
“Being on the usual route for a person, the parcel terminal makes receiving an order as simple as possible. Our experience shows that setting the parcel terminal “next to” the client increases the frequency of his online purchases by an average of 5-6 times, says Denis Dyachenko, Director of Affiliate Logistics Programs at Ozon. - Tatarstan is a special region where the interest of residents in online shopping is extremely high, for example, Ozon sales in 2019 grew by more than 100%. Development of the last mile to create additional comfort for online shoppers in Kazan is a priority for us, and we will continue to seriously work on it in 2020, opening new points of delivery throughout the Republic”. When installing a parcel terminal at a shopping center, the number of its visitors grows within 10%, which for medium-sized retail can be a good help in business development.
Ozon also notes the safety of installing automated distribution points in public spaces: each parcel terminal is equipped with at least two cameras, recording is done around the clock, and the parcel terminal support service is open 24/7. In addition only prepaid orders to customers are delivered there, whose identity is fully identifiable.
The popularity of parcel terminals in Russia is growing rapidly: in 2019, Ozon customers chose it 6 times more often than a year earlier, and already more than 20% of orders are delivered to automated points of delivery. Now in Kazan, the Ozon parcel terminals network has 315 points, 293 of which are own Ozon.Boxes and 22 are partner ones.
“Given the growth in the number of orders in Kazan following the results of 2019 and the rapidly growing popularity of this delivery channel, Ozon is in search of network development partners and is interested in working with local entrepreneurs - such a partnership will help us to quickly develop this delivery channel and reduce the barrier to online shopping for residents of Kazan and the Republic of Tatarstan, which means to make for them an assortment of millions of goods even more affordable”, said Denis Dyachenko.