Estonia-based post and logistics company Omniva says that in order to keep up with rapid e-commerce growth it is expanding its parcel locker network in Estonia and the Baltic States.
“Omniva owns 43% of the parcel machines in Estonia with 57% of the parcel volume,” said member of the management board of Omniva Kristi Unt. “On the one hand, this indicates high network efficiency, but on the other hand, it is clear that the expectations of current and new clients do not fit with the existing network. Logistics and the current network have achieved the expected efficiency, and the focus is now on supporting the e-merchants and end customers by moving even closer to them.”
The planned expansion is at the same level as a previous expansion in 2018, when the company installed 100 new parcel machines across Estonia, doubling its parcel machine network. With this original expansion, Omniva notes that it was the first to reach outside larger cities, taking parcel machines to smaller towns and settlements.
According to the Estonian E-Commerce Association, Omniva’s parcel volume comprised 57% of the entire parcel market in Estonia in 2020. “Omniva’s major market share and growth is thanks to the well-developed parcel machine network and its presence and cooperation across the Baltic states as well as the mediation of the parcels of several international e-giants in large volumes,” said the E-Commerce Association in a recent report.
According to Unt, further network optimization, expansion and movement toward rural areas has already begun. In addition to the parcel machines, Omniva says it will start testing a community post machine solution, where 12 villages will receive smaller and simpler machines than those rolled out in urban areas.
“The post machines support the new business models primarily in rural areas; for example, they help launch various circulation services in communities and allow local merchants to implement automatic trade,” Unt added.