Exact major change by Royal Mail set to affect millions of British households

Parcel lockers will be installed outside Post Office branches across the country, giving customers round‑the‑clock access to send, collect and return parcels outside traditional opening hours

Royal Mail is rolling out a six-month trial of a 24-hour automated parcel delivery service in a major shake-up across all Post Office stores.

Parcel lockers will be installed outside Post Office branches across the country, giving customers round‑the‑clock access to send, collect and return parcels outside traditional opening hours.

It is in addition to to Royal Mail’s network of more than 24,000 drop‑off and collection points, which includes 2,400 existing lockers. The new lockers will include label‑printing technology, aimed at customers who do not have access to a printer.

Users can pay for postage online and scan a QR code at the locker or request a code when returning items.

The move is part of Royal Mail’s wider plan to offer more choice and flexibility for parcel deliveries and returns, while keeping existing services in place. Post Offices will continue to sell all Royal Mail products as usual.

Anna Malley, director of partnerships and acquisitions at Royal Mail, said: “Post Office is one of Royal Mail’s most important partners, and this is an exciting step forward in how we work together.

“The trial reflects our commitment to meeting a wide range of customer needs whilst also maintaining existing options.”

Neill O’Sullivan, mails and parcels director at Post Office, said: “We are delighted that after a 370-year partnership with Royal Mail, we continue to innovate and ensure parcel services meet the needs of customers who want the flexibility of using a locker for their parcel collection and delivery.

“We will evaluate this trial, and in particular the benefits it has brought to our postmasters and look forward to working with Royal Mail over the next few months on this trial.”

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