The Business of Fashion

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Alibaba’s Logistics Arm Invests in European Last Mile

Employees work in a Cainiao warehouse in Wuxi, China's eastern Jiangsu province, ahead of Singles' Day 2020. Getty Images. — Employees pack boxes in a Cainiao warehouse in Wuxi, China's eastern Jiangsu province, ahead of Singles' Day 2020. Getty Images. (HECTOR RETAMAL)

Zoe Suen

09 September 2021

Cainiao, Alibaba’s logistics business, announced today the launch of its locker network in Spain and France in the Chinese retail giant’s bid to ramp up efficiency.

While Cainiao’s network currently spans 170 lockers in Madrid, Barcelona and Paris, the firm plans on expanding the programme to 2,000 lockers across the two countries by March 2022.

The contactless lockers provide shoppers who buy from platforms like AliExpress the opportunity to pick up their parcels at flexible times, while reducing the carbon footprint of last mile services, according to Alibaba.

Learn more:

Can Fashion Finally Crack the ‘Last Mile’?

Getting products to customers’ front doors has always been the most complex and expensive part of e-commerce logistics. Covid-19 and the ensuing boom in online sales have only upped the stakes.

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