MerryMart rolls out ‘smart lockers’ for parcels

Retail chain operator MerryMart Consumer Corp. (MM) has debuted into the business of 24/7 self-service lockers where customers can collect and drop off packages sans face-to-face interaction with couriers.

MM announced on Thursday the rollout of its MBOX Smart Lockers, a venture that rides on the e-commerce boom in the country, with the first installation at the MerryMart Grocery branch in DoubleDragon Plaza at DD Meridian Park.

Seeking to address the pain points of both consumers and merchants in last mile delivery especially with the government’s social distancing requirements, MM plans to roll out 5,000 of these MBOX Smart Lockers in high-density locations by 2030.

“This pandemic has seen a record rise in deliveries and has highlighted the need for a contactless, efficient and green delivery alternative. But beyond this, we believe that MBOX will improve Filipinos’ online purchase experience and give buyers, couriers and sellers a more convenient, efficient and secure alternative for delivering and receiving packages,” MerryMart and MBOX chair Edgar Sia II said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Packages are delivered and placed inside MBOX Smart Lockers by couriers. As soon as a package is deposited, the locker sends an SMS text alert with a pickup code to the recipient who can then claim the package at his or her convenience.