Parcel and Postal Technology International
  • News
    • A-E
      • Automation
      • Business Diversification
      • Construction / Development
      • Cross-border
      • Delivery
      • E-commerce
      • Expo
    • F-O
      • Freight
      • IT & Systems
      • Last Mile
      • Lockers / PUDO
      • Logistics
      • Mail
      • Operations
    • P-R
      • Packets
      • Parcels
      • Peak
      • Retail
      • Returns
    • S-Z
      • Sorting Systems
      • Staff / Personnel
      • Sustainability
      • Technology
      • Vehicles / Fleet
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • March 2025
    • September 2023
    • June 2023
    • March 2023
    • December 2022
    • SHOWCASE 2019
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Analysis
  • Awards
    • 2025 Awards
    • Previous Winners
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Parcel + Post Expo
LinkedIn YouTube Twitter
  • Sign-up for Breaking News Emails
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
Subscribe
LinkedIn Facebook
Parcel and Postal Technology International
  • News
      • Automation
      • Business Diversification
      • Construction / Development
      • Cross-border
      • Delivery
      • E-commerce
      • Expo
      • Freight
      • IT & Systems
      • Last Mile
      • Lockers / PUDO
      • Logistics
      • Mail
      • Operations
      • Packets
      • Parcels
      • Peak
      • Retail
      • Returns
      • Sorting Systems
      • Staff / Personnel
      • Sustainability
      • Technology
      • Vehicles / Fleet
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. December 2024
    2. September 2024
    3. June 2024
    4. March 2024
    5. SHOWCASE 2019
    6. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    April 2, 2025

    In this Issue – March 2025

    Online Magazines By Web Team
    Recent

    In this Issue – March 2025

    April 2, 2025

    In this Issue – December 2024

    December 5, 2024

    In this Issue – September 2024

    September 19, 2024
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Analysis
  • Awards
    • 2025 Awards
    • 2024 Award Winners
    • 2023 Award Winners
    • 2022 Award Winners
    • 2021 Award Winners
    • 2020 Award Winners
    • 2019 Award Winners
    • Previous Winners
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Parcel + Post Expo
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
Parcel and Postal Technology International
Analysis

PUDO networks: a how-to guide

Opinion WritersBy Opinion WritersJune 24, 20194 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

There’s growing talk about PUDO networks and e-commerce delivery, but what do you really need to know? PUDO experts Artur Kikuła and Marek Różycki (Last Mile Experts) discuss how to set up a PUDO network

Earlier this year Deutsche Post announced it will expand its network of DHL Parcelshops. There are already about 10,000 Parcelshops across Germany, supplementing the post’s network of post offices.

Parcelshops are PUDOs (pick up, drop off) points, hosted in a retail outlet. Along with Deutsche Post’s post office and Packstation (parcel locker) networks, the German giant is ubiquitous in its home country.

Other postal operators are embracing PUDOs as a way to offer a denser national network of parcel collection points.

What are the main considerations in setting up a PUDO network?

In an era of intensive e-commerce growth, sellers and consignees alike are looking for complementary forms of sales, delivery, shipment and pickup, as well as return of purchased products. In other words, omnichannel commerce.

The main goals for the various actors in this space include: building new or expanding existing distribution channels on the seller’s side, meeting the customer’s (consignee’s) preferences, reducing operating costs, and developing a better last mile infrastructure on the logistics operator’s side.

Bearing the above in mind, one solution that benefits all the participants is access to an out-of-home PUDO and/or APM (locker) network.

LME’s Artur Kikuła was instrumental in developing InPost’s network of around 7,000 access points in Poland.

He believes that to build and implement a well-functioning network of PUDO points you need, inter alia, skilful planning of processes, application of appropriate tools (both hardware and software), defining capacity needs taking into account seasonality, optimal location analysis, system integration and setting of standards.

The hardest part is building enough stable access points to give proximity (within 12 minutes or 1km [0.6 miles] walk for the consignee) and the appropriate conditions for access to the point, such as customer car parking.

“It’s all about convenience,” stresses Fabian Düx, head of DHL Parcel Europe’s PUDO and locker network. “Primarily for consignees, who can pick up or drop off their shipments more easily without having to physically meet the courier, but also for retailers who operate the network. Hence, when designing a PUDO network, it needs to be ensured that processes, systems and tools are easy to use for the end customer and shop operators.”

So who can benefit from building their own or using an existing closed or open (carrier agnostic) PUDO network?

• Individual customers, who get more choice in the last mile and easier access to drop-off locations for returns;

• Small sellers, who have flexible shipment of their packages from PUDOs or lockers, without having to wait for the courier to show up, and the possibility to offer their customers a wider range of delivery channels in cooperation with a logistics operator;

• Big sellers/distributors/producers/transaction platforms that can build their own PUDO/APM networks or use existing partner points, delivering their products by their own means of transport or by using logistics operators;

• Courier companies and postal operators who, thanks to access points, can develop their logistics network, activate new sales channels, and optimize their last mile costs and delivery times while increasing customer satisfaction. They can also use points as local hubs for temporary storage of shipments in urban/local distribution or as a pickup destination for advised items;

• Partners (usually retailers) co-creating the PUDO network gain additional customer traffic as part of their core business.

Given the above, it is not a question of ‘if’ but rather ‘when’ access points will become available in all major e-commerce markets. Düx confirms: “A dense and convenient PUDO network is becoming a must-have requirement for e-tailers who choose their logistics partner.”

Therefore, out of the home is actually a must for better home delivery. Of course, postal operators are usually in pole position to leverage their extensive branch networks for this purpose, and we find it strange that many still don’t.

Ian Kerr is the founder and host of the Postal Hub Podcast, the weekly podcast for the postal and delivery sectors.

 

Bios:

Marek Różycki is managing partner at Last Mile Experts, specializing in CEP and e-commerce last-mile advisory.

 

 

Artur was instrumental in developing InPost’s PUDO network, and has held management positions at Messenger Service Stolica (now UPS), Siódemka (now DPD), and Kamis Przyprawy (McCormick).

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleQuick quiz: Green fleets
Next Article Australia Post to open super hub in Queensland

Related Posts

Analysis

ANALYSIS: Tariffs and turmoil – discussing the latest US last-mile developments

June 12, 20251 Min Read
Analysis

ANALYSIS: Which parcel delivery player is best placed to join the UK’s biggest operators?

June 2, 20251 Min Read
Analysis

ANALYSIS: How will the Evri-DHL deal shake up the UK parcel delivery market?

May 22, 20251 Min Read

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Latest News

UPS Healthcare expands Asia-Pacific services with Singapore logistics facility

June 23, 2025

Burgoynes joins The APC network to offer next-day parcel delivery

June 23, 2025

DPD Switzerland launches intelligent EV charging project with autoSense

June 20, 2025
Getting in Touch
  • Contact Us / Advertiser
  • Meet the Editors
  • Download Media Pack
  • Breaking News Emails
Our Social Channels
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
Supplier Spotlights
  • Plus One Robotics
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Notice & Takedown Policy
  • Site FAQs
© 2025 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie records the user consent for the cookies in the "Advertisement" category.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie records the user consent for the cookies in the "Analytics" category.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional1 yearThe GDPR Cookie Consent plugin sets the cookie to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie records the user consent for the cookies in the "Necessary" category.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie stores user consent for cookies in the category "Others".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie stores the user consent for cookies in the category "Performance".
elementorneverThe website's WordPress theme uses this cookie. It allows the website owner to implement or change the website's content in real-time.
JSESSIONIDsessionNew Relic uses this cookie to store a session identifier so that New Relic can monitor session counts for an application.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

CookieDurationDescription
__cf_bm30 minutesCloudflare set the cookie to support Cloudflare Bot Management.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

CookieDurationDescription
CONSENT2 yearsYouTube sets this cookie via embedded YouTube videos and registers anonymous statistical data.
uidsessionThis is a Google UserID cookie that tracks users across various website segments.
vuid1 year 1 month 4 daysVimeo installs this cookie to collect tracking information by setting a unique ID to embed videos on the website.
_ga1 year 1 month 4 daysGoogle Analytics sets this cookie to calculate visitor, session and campaign data and track site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognise unique visitors.
_ga_*1 year 1 month 4 daysGoogle Analytics sets this cookie to store and count page views.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

CookieDurationDescription
OAGEOsessionOpenX sets this cookie to avoid the repeated display of the same ad.
OAID1 yearCookie set to record whether the user has opted out of the collection of information by the AdsWizz Service Cookies.
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE5 months 27 daysYouTube sets this cookie to measure bandwidth, determining whether the user gets the new or old player interface.
YSCsessionYoutube sets this cookie to track the views of embedded videos on Youtube pages.
yt-remote-connected-devicesneverYouTube sets this cookie to store the user's video preferences using embedded YouTube videos.
yt-remote-device-idneverYouTube sets this cookie to store the user's video preferences using embedded YouTube videos.
yt.innertube::nextIdneverYouTube sets this cookie to register a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen.
yt.innertube::requestsneverYouTube sets this cookie to register a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen.

Others

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

CookieDurationDescription
VISITOR_PRIVACY_METADATA5 months 27 daysDescription is currently not available.

SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by