Although this summer in Estonia has been notably unpredictable, the arrival of more stable summer weather serves as a reminder to consider how heat may affect parcel locker usage and parcel safety. A nationwide survey commissioned by SmartPost in June reveals that more and more people are paying attention to the impact of temperature when choosing what to order and where to have their parcels delivered.
The results show that a full third of Estonians consider summer heat a concern when using parcel lockers. 7% of respondents admitted that this already affects their ordering behaviour — they avoid purchasing certain products or choose parcel lockers that are easily accessible. A further 24% acknowledge the issue as concerning but haven’t yet changed their habits. In total, every third person feels that summer heat influences their decisions regarding parcel locker use.
“Our customers are well-informed and make thoughtful purchasing decisions. They are increasingly mindful of both the type of items they order and the delivery location,” explains Triinu Luidalepp, Head of Customer Experience for the Baltics at SmartPosti. “It’s completely understandable that during summer, people worry about the condition of products like cosmetics, electronics, food, or medicines. For instance, medicines may lose their effectiveness — or even become unsafe — when stored at unsuitable temperatures. It doesn’t need to be 30°C outside; even at 20°C, the temperature inside a parcel locker in direct sunlight can rise significantly and damage items that should be stored below 25°C.” Luidalepp compares the effect to leaving a closed car in the sun: “Just like inside a car, temperatures in a parcel locker can rise to surprising levels in a very short time.”
Consumers are increasingly checking whether a parcel locker is located indoors and whether they can collect their parcel quickly. Many also opt for courier delivery to receive parcels directly to their door, especially for temperature-sensitive items.
SmartPosti recommends choosing indoor parcel lockers during the summer months — especially when ordering items sensitive to heat.
The survey was conducted from 17 to 25 June and included 1,000 Estonian residents.