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 Amazon already runs its own lockers in the United States and
Britain, self-service boxes in places like shopping centers where
customers key in a unique code to access their parcel.
The world's biggest e-commerce company has posted several job
adverts in recent weeks that suggest it wants a broader range of
pick-up options, including lockers, in continental Europe.
This is part of a broader drive to speed up delivery times and rein
in its growing multi-billion dollar logistics bill.
Amazon, known for its razor-thin margins, also faces growing
competition from traditional retailers who allow more delivery
options, including collecting goods in-store.
In Germany, Amazon's second biggest market, orders are either
delivered to homes or to lockers owned by Germany's Deutsche Post
DPWGn.DE or stores with a deal with the Hermes logistics firm.
The new jobs include business development manager roles for Amazon
Locker in Munich and Paris, European Union technical operations
manager for Locker based in Luxembourg, and network development
manager roles in Luxembourg, Munich and Paris.
"Amazon pickup locations, including Amazon Locker, are exciting, new
delivery solutions that we are introducing into the German
marketplace," read the Munich business role ad.
Amazon also advertised roles in London for business development
manager and technical operations manager for "click and collect" to
develop lockers and other pick-up locations.
An Amazon spokeswoman said: "Amazon is constantly working to develop
new services for customers."
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Amazon has already taken a first step in Germany to reduce its
reliance on established logistics companies, opening a parcel
sorting center outside Munich late last year that employs 130
workers, with plans for more near other big German cities.
The "last mile" portion of delivery - the final and usually most
expensive stretch of a package's journey from a retailer's warehouse
to a customer – has become increasingly important as shoppers expect
cheaper and faster delivery.
Reuters reported on Thursday that in the United States, Amazon is
quietly inviting drivers for its new "on-demand" delivery service to
handle its standard packages.
Amazon's shipping costs grew more than 18 percent to $11.5 billion
last year and some believe it might create a logistics network to
compete with United Parcel Service Inc UPS.N, FedEx Corp FDX.N and
the patchwork of local carriers which currently deliver its
packages.
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