International parcel delivery and logistics company Posti is launching a partnership with Lithuania’s first shared parcel locker network, uDrop. Through this partnership, the SmartPosti parcel locker network in Lithuania is expected to expand by approximately a quarter by the end of 2026.
Currently, SmartPosti operates 304 parcel lockers and 32 parcel pick-up points in Lithuania. Together with the uDrop network in Lithuania, which currently consists of approximately 80 parcel lockers, the number of locations where customers will be able to collect SmartPosti parcels will increase by approximately a quarter, or 23.8%.
“A convenient and easily accessible parcel pick-up location is one of customers’ most important expectations. That is why we are constantly looking for solutions to get even closer to the customer and ensure smooth parcel flows even during peak periods,” says Guntis Mičuļs, Baltics Head of Operations at Posti , the parent company of SmartPosti. He adds that the new partnership will also help the company manage continuously growing parcel volumes more efficiently.
According to Marius Blagnys, CEO of uDrop, the new partnership marks an important step towards building an open, extensive, and efficiently utilised parcel locker infrastructure across the Baltics.
“The parcel locker sharing model helps address both infrastructure shortages and the efficient use of existing capacity. The uDrop model helps parcel delivery companies reduce the challenges of overcrowded parcel lockers, avoid unnecessary infrastructure duplication, and bring parcel collection services closer to end users - even in regions where installing a dedicated parcel locker for a single operator would not be economically viable,” says M. Blagnys.
Faster and more convenient parcel collection
G. Mičuļs believes the cooperation with uDrop will help solve one of the market’s biggest challenges - overcrowded parcel lockers.
“In cases where a parcel locker is full, we will be able to quickly transfer the parcel to an alternative nearby location convenient for the customer, ensuring faster collection and a better customer experience. Our new partners’ network will also allow us to reach more remote areas of Lithuania where we currently do not have our own parcel lockers,” notes G. Mičuļs.
M. Blagnys also points out that the partnership will benefit not only parcel delivery companies, but end customers as well.
“By using the uDrop network, our partners, the parcel delivery companies, can focus on efficient logistics processes, while customers benefit from simpler, faster, and more convenient parcel collection closer to home,” he says.
M. Blagnys adds that uDrop plans to expand its network by several hundred additional parcel lockers in the near future. The integration of new partners into the shared infrastructure not only enables efficient network expansion for each partner, but also contributes to smoother and more efficient operation of the overall parcel delivery market as e-commerce volumes continue to grow rapidly.
Parcel locker integration to be implemented gradually
The SmartPosti partnership with uDrop will be rolled out in stages. Initially, one uDrop parcel locker will be tested in order to assess the smoothness of the process and identify areas for improvement.
“Later, once full systems integration has been completed, we plan to gradually integrate more and more uDrop parcel lockers into the shared network. In the meantime, don’t be surprised if, after receiving a notification about your parcel and arriving to collect it, you see the uDrop logo on the parcel locker,” says G. Mičuļs.
He emphasises that the parcel collection process itself will remain essentially unchanged - customers will still be able to collect parcels using a PIN code. The main difference is that uDrop parcel lockers are typically installed outdoors, which will be a new aspect for SmartPosti customers.
“During the first phase of integration, customers will not yet be able to choose a specific uDrop parcel locker themselves, as these locations will be integrated into the system gradually. Once the process is completed, they will become visible in the shopping cart, self-service system, and parcel tracking app in exactly the same way as SmartPosti parcel locker locations,” explains G. Mičuļs.
At the initial stage, SmartPosti parcels delivered through uDrop parcel lockers will only be available for collection. Parcel sending and return functions are planned for later stages of the shared network integration.