Retailers in the USA are deploying smart lockers to help shoppers overcome their fear of Covid-19 and return to bricks-and-mortar stores, according to California-based smart locker firm Luxer One.

A significant percentage of would-be retail customers are reluctant to go to their favourite store due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But smart lockers can provide the security of contact-free pick-up and an enhanced financial forecast.

These modular lockers are the latest innovation in the buy-online-pickup-in-store business model, offering retail comfortable and convenient 24-hour, no-contact, self-service retrieval and return access using technology.

“Smart lockers benefit both the customer and the retailer,” said Arik Levy, founder and CEO of Luxer One. “For the customer, it means fast, safe and secure pick-up and return processes that can be done without contact. For the retailer, smart lockers pave the way to a better bottom line due to reduced labour costs; and the technological upgrade allows them to compete in a similar arena with online giants like Amazon.”

A commissioned study by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Luxer One, conducted on one of the USA’s largest home improvement retailers, confirms the cost-benefits of a smart locker system. The study reveals store-based lockers are directly responsible for a total internal labour savings of $57.6m – the data show 5.4 minutes in employee time saved each time a locker is used. An overall RoI of 227% is reached over a ten-year period.

The study also indicates these lockers have a positive impact upon customer satisfaction in multiple ways. First, locker users are five per cent happier than their counterparts forced to stand in a queue at a customer service desk. Secondly, the mere presence of these lockers improves a store’s image with all customers. Happier customers are likely to spend more, and Forrester Consulting data estimate the retailer studied will enjoy an additional $14m due directly to this increase in customer satisfaction.

Luxer One, whose client list also includes Macy’s and Foot Locker, recently celebrated more than 60 million deliveries. The company also has pilot partnerships with national pharmacy and consumer electronics retailers.

Luxer One has deployed thousands of lockers throughout the USA and Canada, facilitating convenient self-service pick-up and round-the-clock retail. In addition to the retail space, the lockers are also used across other industries including residential, commercial office and higher education.