From pints to parcels: creating new reasons to visit your venue

UK consumers are spending more online than ever before, with e-commerce revenue climbing year on year[1]. At the heart of this shift is a growing demand for convenience, and it is the younger generations who are leading the charge.  For operators, this shift offers a valuable way to drive footfall, tap into emerging consumer habits, and stay relevant in an ever-changing landscape.

The rise of out-of-home delivery

Gen Z and Millennials are digital natives, with their online habits shaped by on-demand services and rising demand for convenience. Their expectations around speed and simplicity are changing how businesses interact with them – and where. These audiences are not only buying more online, they’re also turning to out-of-home delivery as a preferred way to receive their parcels. More than half of UK consumers now use delivery lockers, rising to 71% of Gen Zs and 68% of Millennials[2]. For many, picking up a parcel is no longer an ad-hoc task – it’s part of their daily routine.

This presents a timely opportunity for hospitality operators who may be rethinking the strategic role they have to play in their local communities. With footfall patterns shifting and many operators seeking new ways to attract new, untapped audiences, adding services that complement these evolving lifestyles can open the door, and the tills, for new customers.

A new role for hospitality venues

Delivery lockers are one such service. Their adoption has been especially strong among younger, convenience-seeking consumers2, many of whom are also driving a wider generational shift in demand for unique hospitality experiences. Recent figures show that 38% of all UK drinkers are now regularly opting for low or no-alcohol alternatives, with 39% of 18–24-year-olds no longer drinking alcohol at all[3]. These lifestyle changes mean the traditional reasons for visiting a hospitality venue may have evolved – allowing an opportunity for new ones to be created.

When a venue becomes a locker host, it introduces another reason for customers to visit and discover the site, especially if they’ve not visited the destination before. Not always to necessarily eat or drink – at least not right away – but to engage. Over time, that footfall can turn into repeat visits, whether for a quick coffee, a catch-up, or a sit-down meal. Within the retail sector, where lockers are already firmly established as a valuable additional service, almost three-quarters of locker users go into a nearby store or venue before or after using the locker[4], and these aren’t one-off visits either. More than half say the presence of a locker increases their likelihood of returning4. This behaviour pattern has strong potential to be mirrored in hospitality settings too, creating new opportunities for outlets to turn one-time parcel pick-ups into lasting customer relationships. To quote one of our retail locker hosts, Bay Bashir: “The InPost Lockers aren’t costing me any money, they’re making me money. It’s a win win for everybody.”

Driving footfall and loyalty

It’s not only about attracting new customers, but also about offering a service that supports and even enhances the local community. With the steady decline of high street post offices[5], residents are increasingly looking for alternative solutions that are accessible, secure and local. Delivery lockers fulfil that need, and in doing so, can help strengthen the position of hospitality venues as a hub of the community and essential spaces for everyday life.

With 24/7 availability, the lockers fit in perfectly with any occasion – from those popping in for post-work drinks or sports fans visiting to watch the latest match – allowing operators to provide a unique and innovative service that will give even more reasons to visit.  Whether sending or receiving a parcel, the process couldn’t be easier with InPost Lockers equipped with technology that pairs with the consumer-facing app, which offers tracking and notifications. With its label-free deliveries, the app ensures a seamless and user-friendly experience every time.

InPost Lockers are now found in over 10,000 locations across the UK, including hospitality venues. At pubs where they’ve been installed, 91% of users say that the locker was the primary reason for their visit[6]. With parcel lockers bringing brand new customers to the door, the venue benefits from greater visibility, increased footfall, and – similarly to the results in retail -  may boost in-outlet spend.

Turning unused space into revenue

For operators, there’s even further financial benefits on offer. Hosting a locker doesn’t just generate new visits – it generates guaranteed income too with InPost paying rent to its locker hosts. With a variety of different sizes, and exciting new innovations such as battery-powered lockers, there’s a variety of solutions to suit almost any location. Everything is handled entirely by InPost – from installation to maintenance – there’s no need for staff involvement whatsoever. Offering added convenience for both operators and customers, hosting InPost Lockers is a low-effort way to turn unused space into a new source of regular revenue. 

In today’s competitive landscape, where attracting new footfall is more crucial than ever, operators are looking for smart, low-effort ways to make their venues more useful, more visible, and more visited. Delivery lockers offer exactly that. By becoming a convenient parcel delivery hub, venues can embed themselves into daily routines, drive repeat visits, and earn passive income in the process. It isn’t just an add-on — it’s a simple way to turn everyday parcel deliveries into potential customers and turn unused space into additional income.

Thanks to InPost’s rapidly growing network of parcel lockers, millions of consumers across the UK can now choose convenient, anytime delivery options that fit seamlessly into their daily lives. The market for out-of-home delivery remains extremely strong, and we have ambitious growth plans in place to help more operators capitalise on this demand. So, what are you waiting for? Visit info.inpost.co.uk to start hosting a locker at your venue today.

[1] Statista. (2024). E-commerce revenue forecast in the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2028, by segment. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/forecasts/477116/e-commerce-revenue-in-the-united-kingdom-fashion-by-segments
[2] The full Retail Economics report is available to download here: https://rb.gy/k4jp65 
[3] YouGov & Portman Group (2025). Retrieved from https://www.portmangroup.org.uk/yougov-survey-shows-more-people-drinking-low-and-no-alcohol-alternatives-than-ever-before-with-young-adults-still-the-biggest-consumers/ 
[4] Based on 2,097 InPost Locker users at Convenience Store landlord-owned locations (December 2024)
[5] House of Commons Library. (2025). Closure of high street services in rural areas (Debate Pack CDP-2025-0026). Retrieved from: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2025-0026/ 
[6] Based on 4,514 InPost Locker users at Pub landlord-owned locations (December 2024)