During the COVID-19 pandemic, the surge in e-commerce led to a parcel locker revolution in Lithuania, fundamentally changing shopping habits. Today, parcel lockers have become an integral part of daily life—popping up near shopping centers, gas stations, gyms, in big cities, and small towns alike. According to a study commissioned by the Communications Regulatory Authority (RRT), 73% of Lithuanians now consider parcel lockers the most convenient way to receive packages—five times more than six years ago.
How is it decided where parcel lockers should be placed? What are consumers’ expectations, and would they be willing to pay more for a locker closer to home? And when will there be enough parcel lockers?
First attempts – nearly 15 years ago
The head of the parcel delivery company Venipak, Andrius Ladauskas, recalls that as early as 2011, the company was the first in Lithuania to establish a network of 50 parcel lockers.
“We had the idea of connecting all logistics service providers operating in Lithuania to make parcel deliveries more convenient for consumers. However, at that time, Lithuanians were not yet ready for it—both due to the relatively small scale of e-commerce and the high rental costs imposed by shopping centers for locker placements. As a result, the experiment did not succeed at the time. However, it allowed us to properly prepare for the later parcel locker boom, which began in Lithuania in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he says.
According to a study conducted last year by Spinter Research on behalf of the Communications Regulatory Authority (RRT), 73% of Lithuanians now prefer parcel lockers as their primary delivery method. In comparison, 65% chose lockers in 2023, 42% in 2020, and just 17% in 2018, according to a survey by Vilmorus, where they were then referred to as “self-service postal terminals.”
Ladauskas notes that among the Baltic countries, Lithuania saw the fastest expansion of the company’s parcel locker network—for example, in Estonia, the company installed its first lockers only at the end of 2022.
“In recent years, the number of parcel lockers in Latvia and Estonia has not changed significantly. Instead, we focused on expanding existing, well-established lockers by adding more compartments for parcels. The largest expansion took place in Lithuania—last year alone, our parcel locker capacity here nearly doubled. We both expanded existing locations and installed new lockers, and now we operate around 400 parcel lockers across Lithuania,” he explains.
According to RRT data, Lithuania currently has over 2,000 parcel lockers, with their total number growing by 15.8% in 2024 compared to 2023.
Closer, faster, and… cheaper
The RRT study also revealed the preferred distance for parcel lockers according to Lithuanian residents. The majority (49%) indicated that lockers should be located within 1 km, while 19% preferred a distance of 1-3 km, and 18% would like lockers to be placed within just 100 meters.
“A convenient pickup location is one of the most important consumer expectations. Lithuanians choose parcel lockers that they can reach on foot from their home or workplace or those conveniently located along their daily routes—to work, home, shopping centers, or gyms. Our surveys also show that consumers prioritize parcel lockers installed outside buildings rather than inside, as this ensures 24/7 access to their shipments. Additionally, an intuitive and quick pickup process, such as using a QR code, is a key factor,” says Andrius Ladauskas.
However, while Lithuanians want parcel lockers close to home, an interesting finding from the same study is that 70% of them would not be willing to pay extra for this convenience. The survey also revealed that the lowest possible price is the most important factor when sending and receiving parcels, as stated by 56% of respondents. This is followed by delivery speed (47%) and parcel security (43%).
Prioritizing convenience and security
According to Andrius Ladauskas, when deciding where to install new parcel lockers, the company evaluates factors such as population density, parcel volumes, data from nearby lockers, and competition.
“The key criterion is consumer convenience. If we see that a certain area lacks a parcel locker but experiences heavy traffic—meaning users wouldn’t go out of their way for one—we consider alternatives, such as installing lockers on both sides of the road. We assess whether the lockers will be along people’s natural routes and whether they can combine multiple activities, such as shopping, working out, and picking up a parcel,” he explains.
The specific location is also crucial—whether there is parking availability or if the locker is accessible on foot.
“This is why parcel lockers are most commonly found near shopping centers, where parking infrastructure is well-developed. Security is another important factor—we ensure lockers are placed in well-lit areas. On the other hand, residents of more remote regions tend to prefer home delivery, so we also take local shopping and delivery preferences into account,” says Ladauskas.
