As out-of-home (OOH) delivery services grow rapidly across Europe and globally, one of the main challenges for parcel carriers and logistics providers is optimizing the use of parcel locker networks. Many carriers already face locker saturation in high-demand areas, leading to:

  • Operational inefficiencies (last-minute rerouting to alternative sites),

  • Late consumer notifications,

  • Increased dissatisfaction and failed delivery experiences.

Dynamic Pricing (DP) offers a powerful solution to manage these challenges and maximize parcel locker capacity utilization. Below are the key levers carriers and e-commerce platforms can use to optimize their networks.

1. Location-Based Pricing

Pricing can be differentiated by locker density, consumer demand, and competition:

  • Higher prices in areas with low locker density or highly popular lockers,

  • Lower prices in regions with abundant locker capacity to balance demand.

This allows carriers to distribute usage more evenly across the network.

2. Forecasting Utilization by Locker Size and Time

By forecasting daily utilization per location and box size (A, B, C), prices can be adjusted:

  • Prices increase when utilization forecasts are high (e.g., during peak seasons, or local events) and can vary by day of week.

  • If large compartments (sizes B or C) are expected to be saturated, small compartments (size A) will also become scarce, justifying a higher price.

This forecast-driven dynamic pricing ensures better distribution of parcels across available space.

3. Time-of-Use and Pickup Deadlines

Parcel locker networks can also apply time-based pricing:

  • Standard offers usually include a 48h pickup window. After this deadline, parcels may be returned or re-routed to another locker.

  • Alternatively, shoppers could extend the pickup deadline for a surcharge (e.g., €2 per 24h).

These extension surcharges can be dynamically adjusted based on locker utilization forecasts and the pickup deadline adjusted accordingly. This approach not only optimizes capacity but also creates new revenue opportunities for carriers.

Implementing Dynamic Pricing in Parcel Locker Networks

Most locker networks owned by carriers already possess the operational data and technology to implement dynamic pricing. However, successful adoption requires:

  • Implementing DP tools capable of forecasting demand and setting the right prices for each location and each date,

  • Find common ground with e-commerce platforms and merchants on how best to implement DP for the common benefit of all stakeholders (carriers, e-commerce platforms, merchants and shoppers),

  • Contracts and invoicing procedures that support variable rates,

  • A user-friendly system for shoppers to pay pickup deadline extension surcharges (carrier app, merchant checkout, or e-commerce platform).

Carrier-Owned vs. Neutral vs. Merchant-Owned Lockers

  • Carrier-owned lockers: Easier to optimize, as carriers control data and processes.

  • Carrier-neutral lockers: More complex, since multiple carriers share capacity.

  • E-commerce-owned lockers: Simpler to implement, as platforms directly manage data to optimize dynamic prices by measuring the price sensitivity of shoppers at checkout.

Why Dynamic Pricing Matters for Parcel Locker Networks

By introducing dynamic pricing in last-mile delivery, carriers and platforms can:

  • Reduce operational disruptions,

  • Improve customer satisfaction,

  • Maximize network efficiency,

  • Create new monetization opportunities.

To learn more about our services and how we can assist your business you can learn more on our Dynamic Pricing solution or contact us.

You can also check the Roadmap to Successful Pricing System Implementation as well as our guide to Master Pricing System Implementation for Pricing Managers.