The pandemic has changed our shopping habits – more and more purchases are made online, parcels are received through parcel terminals and the speed, efficiency and security of both processes play a key role.
Unfortunately, the survey of international parcel delivery company “Venipak” and “Norstat Latvija” highlights another important factor – 35% of respondents in Latvia have indicated that they do not care much about their health and safety when receiving goods ordered online. Only 31% disinfect their hands after touching parcel terminals, 22% use a face mask while waiting for a courier, and 12% use contactless parcel terminals, which have been introduced in Latvia by “Venipak” since this spring.
Professor Indra Zeltiņa of the Department of Infectious Diseases of Riga Stradins University explains: “The virus could remain on surfaces, without the possibility to be in a living cell or in the human body, for 6-8 hours – after that it dies without specific disinfectants. Regarding the presence of coronaviruses in the environment, the exact time is unfortunately unknown, but the results of the research also indicate the longest possible time. Disinfection significantly reduces this time, as the virus dies almost instantly as a result of exposure to disinfectants – in about a minute.”
Usually parcel terminals are not disinfected regularly, so probably the best solution in this situation – to facilitate the reduction of contacts. E.g. to receive the parcel from the contactless terminal as hygienically as possible and safely for your health, one must scan the QR code in the camera. This method of parcel collection is expected to contribute to the management of coronavirus since people do not have to touch the surface of the screen or wait in line at the terminal—parcel collection time is reduced to 3-5.
When asked how they like and find it more convenient to receive online store orders, 58% of respondents indicated that they prefer parcel terminals, 27% choose delivery by courier to their doorstep, while the remaining survey participants withdraw their purchases in the specific store where the purchase was made (6%) or at other receiving points, such as petrol station (5%).
Interesting facts are revealed when the answers of the respondents are viewed in different sections. For example, women are more conscientious – if 23% of men choose to disinfect their hands, then the proportion of women is 34%. While waiting for a courier, 23% of women and 19% of men use a face mask. Probably for the sake of convenience, women also more often choose to use parcel terminals – 62% (men 56%).
“The period of Covid-19 has proved that the Latvian solvent society is ready to pay more for a better shopping experience, which includes not only a convenient online store or app and responsive service, but also quality delivery and pick-up. Online sales reduce gathering, while “Venipak” contactless terminals help maintain safety and distance. In this survey, we found out that 31% of respondents in Latvia have already heard and 7% have also tried the innovation of receiving parcels. This is a good start with opportunities for growth,” Justas Šablinskas, CEO at “Venipak”, comments the data of the survey.
The omnibus survey was conducted by “Norstat Latvija”, surveying 1004 respondents aged 18-74.
About the “Venipak Group”
Founded in 2004, the international parcel delivery company, “Venipak”, offers efficient parcel logistics solutions to businesses and private customers in the Baltic countries, Poland, Germany, the USA and China. Each year, the company improves its courier services, invests in technological solutions for e-commerce and expands the parcel delivery network in the Baltic countries. The “Venipak” parcel delivery network with nearly 600 collection points is today available to customers in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. “Venipak” plans to develop a network of nearly 2,000 postal terminals and pick-up points over the next few years, and to become one of the largest parcel delivery networks in the Baltic countries.