Parcel lockers big hitter InPost lays claim to a bold leap forward in the UK market as it buys Yodel

Polish parcel locker company InPost has announced the acquisition of Yodel, a UK-based parcel delivery firm. It will buy 95.5% of Yodel parent Judge Logistics' share capital, with PayPoint retaining a minority stake of 4.5%.

The deal will see InPost UK's market share increase to about 8%, with 10,000 automated parcel machines and more than 18,000 out of home pick-up points. It positions the company as the third agnostic e-commerce logistics carrier in the UK, and follows the acquisition of Menzies Distribution in October 2024, which gave it full control over its entire logistics process in the UK.

It also builds on a tie up established between InPost and Yodel in October 2024, when the latter began providing last mile services through the latter’s locker to door service.

Rafał Brzoska, Founder, and CEO at InPost Group, comments: “This acquisition marks a pivotal milestone in InPost's journey to revolutionise the UK delivery market as well as the Group pan-European presence. We have just fast forwarded five years of organic expansion in the UK and it is a clear reflection of our long-term commitment to this market, a market where we see enormous opportunity for growth. Our logistics model has transformed delivery in other European markets, and with this acquisition, we are now well positioned to do the same here.”

Neil Kuschel, CEO at InPost UK, says: “This acquisition is a game-changer for InPost’s operations in the UK. Combining doorstep deliveries with our unrivalled locker network, we are reshaping the future of parcel delivery. We will be able to provide customers and e-commerce retailers with the reliability, flexibility, and efficiency they expect. We’re excited to deliver more for the UK.”

Royal Mail

Royal Mail lockers are being installed outside Sainsbury's supermarkets across the UK. The first six are ready to go, and plans are afoot to grow this number quickly in the coming weeks and months.

In a LinkedIn post, Jack Clarkson, Group Strategy & Transformation Director at Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services (IDS), said: “If you live in Clapham, Desborough, Kempshott, Low Hall, Kidderminster or Chislehurst, go check them out. Thank you to the teams at Sainsbury's, and well done to the Royal Mail lockers team who are working tirelessly to drive forward our business. More partnership announcements very soon.”

The Sainsbury’s deal marks the first such agreement between Royal Mail and a UK supermarket.

Prices start from £1.55 online for a small parcel that fits through the letterbox. The lockers feature label printing. Customers need to pay for postage online and print the label by scanning a QR code at the locker or request a QR code if they are returning a purchase.

Royal Mail launched its parcel locker network in December. It now has 1,500 lockers, compared with around 8,000/9,000 operated by InPost and 5,000 operated by Amazon in the UK.

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Online delivery will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which will open for entries in April, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.