UPS drastically expands smart locker program

The shipping and logistics provider’s smart locker program, which provides alternate delivery locations at convenience stores and other spots, is being expanded from nine locations in Chicago to 300 locations throughout the United States.    UPS is expanding its smart locker program from nine locations in Chicago to 300 locations across the United States, the company said.
   UPS Access Point Lockers are alternate delivery locations that are usually outside, and are accessible 24 hours a day at convenience stores and other locations.
   Online retailers can integrate the locker delivery addresses into their web checkout process to give a nearby delivery location for ‘e-commerce stranded’ customers who live in a location where front-door delivery is not possible.
   The initial expansion, which began in June, comprises Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington State. Subsequent states UPS plans to include are California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Texas.
   In the event that UPS drivers are unable to make a delivery to a consumer’s residence, the company can leave a delivery notice that indicates when and where the package will be available for pickup at their neighborhood UPS Access Point location.
   In order to pick up the delivery at the UPS Access Point location, customers only need the UPS InfoNotice alert or tracking number, along with a valid photo id. In addition to self-service lockers, UPS has over 8,000 UPS Access Point locations at local businesses across the U.S. and more than 24,000 locations worldwide.