InPost, a Polish operator of postboxes for parcel delivery, Qiwi, the famous Russian payment operator, and iTech Capital, a Russian venture fund, are deploying a network of self-pickup points to deliver parcels from distance selling and e-commerce companies.
The network, named Qiwi Post, started operating in early February with 15 locations in Moscow, nearby malls, and commercial centers. Qiwi Post plans to have no less than 400 delivery points open in 20 major Russian cities by the end of 2012.
Each self-pickup point includes 70 boxes of various sizes. Customers are alerted by SMS when their parcel has been delivered and can retrieve it from the postbox using a unique password.
Qiwi Post has set up its own delivery transport system in Moscow, but is outsourcing delivery in other regions to courier companies.
The joint venture is built upon InPost’s knowledge and experience with this business model, and iTech Capital’s financing – up to $30 million over the next three years. Qiwi, meanwhile, has brought just its brand so far. But further integration has not been ruled out, Qiwi said.
Qiwi Post is currently in discussions with more than 20 e-commerce players, including consumer electronics retailer Belyi Veter, Russian business daily Vedomosti reported.
Similar systems already exist in Russia, though at early stages of development. Logibox serves, in particular, Russian e-commerce giant Ozon.ru. The company operates 80 postbox points in 50 cities, but plans to open nearly one thousand more this year, according to Vedomosti.
EMS Russian Post, an express delivery operator, has also started developing this business with just two self-pickup points in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
- RUSSIAN E-COMMERCE REPORT 2012 – The total volume of Russian online retail reached 310 billion rubles, a little more than $10 billion, in 2011, up 25% from the previous year. EWDN’s research study of Russian e-commerce, which includes a chapter on fulfilment issues, will be available soon. To receive free insights or to order the full version, please contact us at [email protected].
