Retail de Impacto, the parent company of the SQRUPS chain, has strengthened its operations with the launch of a new 9,120 m² warehouse in Madrid, fully equipped with AR Racking solutions. In a sector like retail, where product turnover and service agility are decisive, having a robust, reliable, and tailored storage system makes all the difference.

Executed in just six weeks from supply to installation, the project consisted of a conventional pallet racking system (AR PAL) that accommodates up to 10,844 Euro pallets on structures over 10 metres high. This proven solution combines simplicity and efficiency for high-turnover logistics — key for a company like SQRUPS, which distributes a wide range of food and household goods at competitive prices.

“The growth of our store network demands logistics that are increasingly robust and flexible. With this new centre and our collaboration with AR Racking, we are taking a key step to ensure availability and agility in our service,” says José María Toro, he project lead at Retail de Impacto.

Located inside the warehouse building, the installation has been designed to optimise available space and facilitate both stock management and order preparation. The solution installed by AR Racking not only meets the company’s current requirements but also leaves room for future expansions should SQRUPS’s pace of growth require it.

“We have implemented a reliable, scalable solution with tight execution times that will enable SQRUPS to continue expanding with full logistics assurance,” notes Alfonso Peña, AR Racking’s Sales Representative for the central region.

This new project consolidates AR Racking’s position as a partner in the retail sector, delivering storage solutions that integrate seamlessly into high-demand, high-performance logistics operations.

Beumer Group is a familiar presence at LogiMAT. Corporate Comms Manager Jonas Jungmann spoke to Logistics Business Features Editor, Paul Hamblin, about the company’s products, plans and ethos.

Let’s start with new products – tell us about the new BG Pouch System with AutoDrop function. Specifically, how will it improve operations for customers, and what benefits can they expect?

BG Pouch System with AutoDrop enables fully automatic and contactless unloading of pouches. It is ideal for single-unit handling, but is also capable of combining items in any desired sequence. This improves distribution and reverse logistics across multiple fulfilment and returns operations.

For example, the system can fulfil store replenishment orders to fit the store’s specific layout, increasing productivity and freeing up staff for customer service. It easily accommodates value-added services, such as placing gift cards or greeting cards in an order. It also achieves fast, automated reworking of returns, making items immediately available for resale and significantly reducing handling time and costs.

BG Pouch System with AutoDrop requires approximately 30% less space than conventional picking systems and can be mounted in the ceiling, saving valuable floor space. The modular design also allows the system to be scaled up quickly and easily as needed.

You’re known for pallet packaging technology. What are the benefits of Beumer‘s Stretch Hood technology?

Our patented Stretch Hood is a custom-designed, automated end-of-line solution for packing pallets economically, safely, and automatically. The technology uses cold-stretchable films, which eliminates heat exposure and air-cooling to achieve very low operating costs. It can be implemented as an integrated or stand-alone system and is suitable for diverse applications, from high-value electronics to construction materials.

It offers security, protection, efficiency and versatility. The seal prevents tampering and pilfering, with any attempt to undo the seal being immediately evident. The technology guards against moisture, dirt ingress, spoilage, and damage during storage and transit. Efficiency results from the repeatable accuracy and consistency enabled by automation, also minimising the scope for human error in the critical final packaging phase.

It also has the versatility to apply transparent film for visibility or opaque film for high-value goods where security is paramount.

You’re bringing an Innovation Corner to LogiMAT in March. What can visitors expect from this?

Our Innovation Corner at LogiMAT will showcase the latest advances in robotics, software, and data analytics. This space highlights how cutting-edge technology and proven products combine to deliver real value for intralogistics.

Visitors can explore scalable solutions for warehouse and distribution operations, gain insights into digital transformation strategies, and engage directly with Beumer experts on future trends. The Innovation Corner reflects our broader Innovation Centre concept, which drives R&D and continuous portfolio development to meet evolving industry needs.

Let’s move on to the Customer Diagnostic Centre and its role in optimisation and predictive maintenance. What does that mean in practice? Can you give specific examples of what it does and how operators can deploy it?

Analysing and interpreting operational data is a complex and resource-intensive task that requires serious investment, which can detract from your core business. Beumer Group’s Customer Diagnostic Centre offers logistics companies access to data-driven services and expertise whenever they need it.

Our diagnostic experts monitor and analyse your operational data, anticipate issues and act proactively, remotely or on-site, to support predictive maintenance, process optimisation, and system diagnostics. Individual services range from an emergency hotline to cybersecurity support and can be used in any combination to meet customer needs.

In one instance, data analysis revealed that a customer had unused capacity of 40%, even though they believed they were at their operational limits. Guided by the results, the customer was able to implement efficiencies and meet continuing demand without the need for a major expansion.

You have recently announced new manufacturing facilities in China and India. Could this negatively impact the perception of Beumer as a premium European manufacturer?

Our China and India facilities have been developed to manufacture in line with Beumer’s global standards, ensuring equally high levels of quality and engineering excellence. The high-tech plants are integrated into our worldwide manufacturing network and run by trained teams, delivering the craftsmanship and reliability customers expect from our brand. These sites bring us closer to regional customers, enabling faster delivery and support.

You describe your strategy as “value-driven.” What does this mean in practice for customers?

Our four values – reliable, down-to-earth, ambitious, collaborative – guide decisions and build trust-based and long-term relationships. We never cut corners: we promise only what we can deliver, so systems perform reliably for years. We prioritise long-term partnerships over one-off deals; our customer support accompanies clients across the entire equipment lifecycle. In short, being value-driven aligns every action to create sustainable success, placing trust, superior quality, and long-term outcomes over quick wins.

What is BEAM and what is it for? Can you tell us about recent success stories and what they bring to the Group?

BEAM, launched in 2018, is Beumer’s startup incubator and innovation engine. It systematically builds new, digital business ideas that complement our intralogistics portfolio. We partner with entrepreneurs and internal experts, providing industry know-how, funding, and a safe space to scale.

Two startups now integrated into Beumer are Codept and Elara. Codept (founded 2019) offers a cloud-based logistics integration platform connecting online retailers with 3PLs, streamlining data exchange across shops and warehouse systems and drastically reducing onboarding time and IT effort. Elara (started 2020) is a cloud-based maintenance management software for centralising assets and service activities, enabling predictive maintenance to prevent downtime, optimise spare parts, and lower operating costs through transparency and data-driven insights. Both expand our digital services portfolio.

I saw an interesting quote from, Dr Christoph Beumer, the former CEO and now chair of the Advisory Board: “As a family business, we think in generations, not quarters”. What does this mean? What decisions can you point to that prove this philosophy to customers and prospects?

We judge major decisions by their decade-long impact on our customers and company. As a family-owned business, we reinvest for sustainable growth and innovation rather than maximise short-term profit. This financial prudence gives us independence to make bold, future-oriented investments, such as new factories in China and India.

‘Thinking in generations’ also shapes relationships: we seek lifetime partnerships, not quick sales. Our customer support team supports every installation for its entire life (and beyond), while customer partnerships and employee development are built on trust and longevity. This approach – proven over more than 90 years – keeps Beumer a reliable, forward-looking partner in a (sometimes) uncertain world, year after year and generation after generation.

Logistics Business takes a closer look at a ‘workhorse’ truck behind corporate headquarter relocations.

While it may have escaped your attention, more and more companies in have decided to pack it up and ship out to a new and different destination. The commercial real estate industry was upended by the pandemic, with offices clearing out to accommodate the safety and convenience of a new generation of home-based ‘remote’ workers. This mass migration, in turn, triggered a wave of chaotic leasing activity that continues buzzing to this day.

There is well-sourced data from Atlas Van Lines’ recent annual corporate relocation survey, which dates back more than five decades. Among the interesting findings in 2025:

• 63% of respondents shared that they intend to bolster their relocation budgets
• The primary driver of corporate relocations is economic conditions (50%)
• Half of all respondents chose to remain in place rather than consider a move
• Nearly a third of all respondents reported a relocation decision in their immediate future

While some corporate relocations are worthy of splashy headlines, there is an unsung hero working behind the scenes to make it happen – the modern-day moving truck. Noting it’s time for a closer look,
Logistics Business reached out to a company for an up-close and personal look at the workhorse of office moves. Move Solutions, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is one of the country’s leading corporate relocators, having completed major cross-country transitions for Fortune 500 companies such as Toyota USA, Wells Fargo, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that their home base of operations also happens to be the top-rated destination city for HQ relocations.

A Guided Tour…

Kurt Fox, director of operations for Move Solutions, provided us with a thorough overview of their transportation standard-bearer for corporate relocations – the Penske 22’ Commercial Box Truck. There are 41 of these trucks in the company’s combined transportation fleet, which also includes twenty-five 14-person passenger vans, ten 18’ cube vans, two 16’ cube vans, and one max-length 53’ tractor trailer for hauling the really big stuff.

Move Solutions’ vibrant, candy apple red truck cabs seat a crew of five comfortably, and the design is actually patterned after modern-day pump truck-style fire engines for maximum space and efficiency. As for precise specifications, these trucks have body dimension measurements that are 91” high, 102” wide, and interior cargo walls that feature 3/8” plywood lining. They also come standard with a 4000 lb. rail lift, air ride suspension, a double e-track cargo system, interior cargo lighting, and an exhaust regeneration system.

The payload capacity is rated for up to 17,000 lbs., and the trucks feature a 70-gallon diesel fuel tank, with an overall gross vehicle weight of 16.5 tons. As for the engine that powers these beasts, the Penske 22’ Commercial Box Trucks typically operate on a platform that boasts a 6.0-liter V-8 that produce a robust 350hp, rated at 373 lb.-ft of torque, and are capable of getting about 10-12 miles per gallon. Transmissions are six-speed automatic. Despite this awesome display of horsepower and hauling capacity, these trucks are still certified as clean idle vehicles.

Hauling the Mail

When it comes to sheer cargo volume, the Penske 22’ Commercial Box Trucks are capable of hauling up to 10 standard size moving pallets. These are commonly loaded with typical office furnishings such as decommissioned workstations and cubicles, executive desks and task seating, filing systems (with lateral files), IT racks and server cabinets, and other assets.

Corporate relocations are almost always conducted out-of-sight, during off-peak hours where most employees remain blissfully unaware of just how much planning and logistics are involved behind the scenes of your typical office move. Somewhere, some place – perhaps even going on at this moment – a company employing thousands of workers is on the move – stealthily shifting headquarters from Point A to Point B. When it comes to office relocations, Move Solutions CEO Michael Monette likes to describe the process this way:

“We take you out of business. Then put you back in business. And we’ve never failed at that task.”

That task is comprehensive, complex, and every little detail of an office relocation matters, down to the last bookcase, coat rack, and fake plant. But hopefully, you now have a much better idea of the standard-bearing workhorse trucks that make the magic happen in the midst of controlled chaos.

Projected safety signage is helping warehouses and industrial facilities improve forklift safety by reducing ‘sign blindness’ and providing a more durable alternative to traditional safety signs.

In environments with constant forklift traffic, painted and printed signs and floor markings can wear away quickly, becoming faded, damaged or unclear. As a result, critical safety messages can lose impact and require frequent maintenance.

Projected Image says projected safety signage is unaffected by constant forklift movement, offering a longer-lasting – and safer – solution that remains clear even in high-traffic areas.

“The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) estimated that approximately 2,000 accidents involving forklifts were reported in Great Britain in 2018/19, so clear, instantly recognisable safety messaging is more important than ever for facilities using forklifts!” says Ian Spoors, Managing Director of Projected Image.

“While traditional painted or vinyl markings wear and typically require maintenance twice a year, projected signage provides a bright, highly visible image that doesn’t fade or wear under forklift traffic – with a maintenance-free five-year lifespan.”

By projecting sharp, vivid safety signs – such as zebra crossings and warning signs – directly onto floors, walls and doors, projected signage helps to clearly define walkways, exclusion zones and vehicle routes while tackling ‘sign blindness’ – which is particularly important where workers and vehicles operate in close proximity.

“Sign blindness occurs when constant exposure to static signage means safety warnings are overlooked, which is incredibly dangerous in forklift environments. Light-based projected signage is more visually stimulating than printed floor markings, making warnings harder to ignore” adds Spoors.

Projected signs can also be automated using sensors, so they only activate when a forklift approaches a specific area, further reducing sign blindness by ensuring warnings appear only when relevant.

“This dynamic approach to safety not only improves awareness but also supports more efficient operations. We recently provided automated projected signage for a leading renewable energy manufacturer, warning pedestrians of forklift movements near roller doors. The site now benefits from a brighter, clearer and safer solution,” Spoors states.

Projected Image supplies both high-performance, IP-rated LED gobo projectors and custom gobos, providing a complete solution designed for demanding industrial environments.

“The high-visibility and flexibility of projected signage make it a safer, more durable option for facilities operating with forklifts. It helps protect the workforce, reduce maintenance and keep operations running smoothly in even the busiest environments” concludes Spoors.

Toyota Industries Corporation today announced the appointment of three industry leaders as CEOs of Toyota Automated Logistics (TAL), its new warehouse automation business. Hitoshi Matsuoka will serve as TAL’s CEO, Central. Thomas Hibinger will serve as TAL’s CEO for the EMEA and APAC regions, and Aaron M. Jones will serve as TAL’s CEO, Americas.

Debuting at LogiMAT Stuttgart, March 23–25th, TAL unites the combined strengths of Bastian Solutions, Vanderlande’s Warehousing business, and viastore under one brand formally launching on April 1, 2026. This powerful combination enables the delivery of scalable systems, intelligent software, and comprehensive lifecycle services – all with the quality and reliability associated with the Toyota brand.

“Thomas Hibinger and Aaron Jones have a solid track record of strong performance leading two of our warehouse automation businesses. Their vision has shaped the future of automated warehousing and guided the delivery of innovative and pragmatic solutions to solve customers’ complex and shifting logistics challenges,” said Hitoshi Matsuoka, Central CEO, TAL. “Their appointments as regional CEOs reflect TICO’s commitment to build on the collective depth and breadth of our world-class technologies, software and services while delivering a seamless customer experience across regions.”

“I look forward to this new chapter, allowing TAL to bring automated logistics to the next level by combining our global strength and expertise under one roof,” states Thomas Hibinger, CEO, EMEA and APAC. “Warehouse and fulfillment operations never stop, nor are they constrained by time zones or geography. With this unification, we aim to deliver greater scalability, innovation and long-term value for our customers worldwide.”

The fast-growing market for warehouse automation is spurred by greater demand for next- or same-day deliveries, ever-faster throughput, absolute order accuracy and optimal warehouse performance. Through seamless integration across the automation landscape, TAL addresses these needs end to end. This approach supports organizations at every stage of their automation journey, whether taking the first steps to automate manual processes in legacy warehouses or refining the advanced distribution centres relied on by the largest e-commerce platforms and the global fulfillment operations of leading brands.

DHL Supply Chain is set to open a 26,600 m² carbon‑neutral logistics centre in Rheinbach, Germany, in August 2026, strengthening its European network and supporting more resilient, flexible supply chains. The facility will provide modern warehousing and transshipment capabilities, designed to meet diverse customer needs, from traditional logistics to automated processes.

Sustainability is at the core of the project. The centre will feature a 1 MWp photovoltaic system, battery storage, heat pumps, and energy‑optimised LED lighting, enabling carbon‑neutral operation. It is being built to the Gold Standard of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB), reflecting DHL’s commitment to environmentally responsible logistics.

Strategically located with access to the A61 motorway and near Cologne/Bonn and Düsseldorf airports, the hub will improve delivery efficiency and reduce supply chain vulnerability. Katrin Hölter, CEO DHL Supply Chain Germany & Alps, said the site “makes our customers’ supply chains less susceptible to disruptions and supports efficient, climate‑friendly logistics.”

DHL Supply Chain’s decision to locate here is another significant milestone in the ongoing development of the Wolbersacker business park and underscores Rheinbach’s appeal to companies from a wide range of industries, thanks to its outstanding location profile. DHL Supply Chain is not only setting new benchmarks in modern, sustainable construction; it is also creating additional jobs and strengthening the regional economy,

says Rheinbach’s mayor, Dr. Daniel Phiesel.

The Rheinbach centre underscores DHL’s ongoing investment in sustainable, future-ready logistics infrastructure, combining operational efficiency with environmental responsibility.

As the conflict involving Iran intensifies, logistics and supply chain networks worldwide are feeling the strain. Rising tensions are once again placing strategic maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz under heightened scrutiny, with carriers and insurers monitoring developments closely.

DHL has warned that volatility across Middle Eastern corridors is contributing to longer transit times, elevated insurance premiums and higher fuel costs. The company has indicated that contingency routing and risk mitigation measures are increasing operational complexity for customers.

Meanwhile, container lines are taking decisive action. In a customer advisory issued on 4 March 2026, Maersk announced it is temporarily suspending new cargo booking acceptance to and from several Gulf states – including the United Arab Emirates, most of Oman, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and parts of Saudi Arabia – until further notice, with exceptions for essential goods such as food and medicine. The carrier noted that ports including Jeddah, King Abdullah and Salalah remain operational, and advised customers to explore alternative routings or inland gateways where possible.

Maersk has also cautioned customers about elevated risk levels in Gulf waters, highlighting the potential for disruption, schedule adjustments and additional war-risk related costs as insurers reassess regional exposure.

Other major carriers including Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM and COSCO have similarly referenced increased insurance premiums and potential war-risk surcharges in affected regions, reflecting the broader risk environment confronting global shipping lines.

While there has been no formal closure of the Strait of Hormuz, vessel traffic patterns have become more cautious. Shipping data indicates slower transit speeds and occasional holding periods as operators await security guidance before entering or exiting Gulf waters. Rather than large visible queues, the disruption is manifesting through staggered departures, extended voyage times and schedule unreliability – factors that ripple quickly through global container and energy supply chains.

The conflict’s impact isn’t confined to sea freight. Air cargo operations across key Gulf hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha have experienced periods of airspace disruption and operational constraints as authorities respond to regional security developments. Even temporary restrictions can reduce available capacity for high-value, time-sensitive goods. This dual disruption across ocean and air lanes has led to wider bottlenecks in sectors ranging from electronics to pharmaceuticals.

Even industries reliant on raw materials are under pressure. Heightened risk around key Middle Eastern transit corridors has raised concerns over the continuity of LNG and fertiliser exports, markets that are highly sensitive to any potential interruption in Gulf shipping flows.

For logistics professionals and supply chain planners, the current environment demands proactive risk management. Companies are revising routing strategies, building inventory buffers, and assessing alternative modes such as rail or air freight where feasible. With geopolitical tensions persisting, logistics leaders are preparing for continued volatility across critical transit points such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb. Even the prospect of disruption is enough to reshape routing decisions, insurance costs and inventory strategies in 2026.

McDonald’s UK & Ireland and Martin Brower, a supply chain solutions provider, recently opened a state-of-the-art distribution centre in Darlington, representing a significant investment in the North East England region, creating over 200 jobs for local people. 

The 138,000 sq. ft. facility will supply more than 200 McDonald’s restaurants across the North East, ensuring fresher, faster deliveries for the region. The distribution centre’s opening will also reduce average drive times by one hour, saving approximately 2.5 million road miles every year, reducing carbon emissions across McDonald’s supply chain.

Demonstrating the sheer scale of the facility, over 70 suppliers bring more than 400 different products into the DC which are stored, sorted and delivered to over 200 restaurants.

The development is fully aligned with McDonald’s ambition of achieving net zero by 2040 and the reduction of its greenhouse gas emissions that is required to do this. The site has been built to BREEAM Excellent standards and features onsite solar generation and an extensive electric vehicle infrastructure including 13 electric car chargers and 17 electric trailer points that support cleaner transport. 

The opening was commemorated with an event attended by Members of Darlington Borough Council, who received a tour of the facility and were introduced to the team behind the project. Others in attendance included Laura Henderson, Vice President of Supply Chain at McDonald’s UK & Ireland and Parv Sangera, Managing Director at Martin Brower UK & Ireland.

Laura Henderson, Vice President, Supply Chain at McDonald’s UK & Ireland, said: “The new distribution centre is a major milestone for our business and demonstrates our commitment to the North East. Investing in Darlington means investing in people, in local jobs, and in a more sustainable future. By cutting road miles, strengthening our network, and supporting local employment at scale, this centre shows how we can grow responsibly while supporting our customers and the communities we serve.”

Parv Sangera, Managing Director at Martin Brower UK & Ireland said: ““We’re incredibly proud to open the doors to our Darlington facility, a project that reflects our longstanding partnership with McDonald’s and our shared focus on resiliency, innovation, and sustainability. Built to BREEAM Excellent standards and incorporating a unique frozenchilledambient cold chain, the centre represents a truly forward thinking approach. It shows what’s possible when we combine operational excellence with a strong commitment to the communities we serve.”

The Dartford, Kent, main distribution hub and transit gateway for British logistics operator Europa Worldwide Group saw the unveiling yesterday of the company’s new corporate livery and logo, timed to mark the 60th anniversary of the business.

CEO Andrew Baxter, pictured below, talked guests through the reasons for the change and the recent progress the company has made. ‘Powered by better’ is the motto and ethos for the company going forward, as Baxter laid out a strategy to establish Europa as the leading logistics operator for moving goods between the UK and EU. “We win by our customer’s success and through marginal gains,” Baxter said, referencing progress made despite inevitable ‘growing pains’ since he acquired the company a decade ago.

Europa Worldwide Group hosted industry leaders, journalists and broadcasters at its Kent headquarters for the official launch of its new strategy, alongside the unveiling of liveried vehicles. Celebrating its diamond anniversary, the proudly independent logistics provider launches a new brand identity and company manifesto: ‘Powered by Better.’ The refresh signals a new era of expansion for the Kent-based firm, which has quadrupled in size over the last 13 years and has expanded its Air & Sea freight and 3PL Warehousing divisions, despite increasing global economic volatility.

A Model for Frictionless Trade

Since the implementation of post-Brexit trade rules in 2020, Europa’s road freight division (it’s largest) claims to have moved double the volume of goods of its nearest competitor, transporting £11.2bn worth of products between the UK and the EU. This achievement is anchored by ‘Europa Flow’, the company’s ‘frictionless’ delivery solution, powered by a proprietary software system, that eliminates customs delays for SMEs and global corporations alike. Europa’s customers credit Europa Flow with ensuring their businesses continued operating smoothly during a period of acute disruption.

“The last six years have been a litmus test for the UK logistics sector,” said Baxter, CEO and Owner of Europa Worldwide Group. “While others saw obstacles, we built bridges. Moving £11bn worth of goods in such a complex climate proves that with the right innovation, British exporters remain resilient and competitive.”

The ‘Powered by Better’ Manifesto

The new brand identity, featuring striking new vehicle livery, emblazoned in Europa’s recognisable red and white colourway, is more than a visual update. It represents a commitment to delivering three core pillars, which the company unveils today: ‘Smarter Solutions’, to ‘Wow every Customer’, and ‘Always Win on Value’.

“‘Powered by Better’ perfectly communicates our DNA,” Baxter continued. “In logistics, you cannot settle for second best. We work relentlessly to find the marginal gains that give our customers a market-leading edge. As we celebrate 60 years since our founding in 1966, we aren’t just looking back at our heritage —we are asserting our role as the company-of-choice for the next generation of global traders.”

Global Expansion & Innovation

From its roots as the first express service provider to Europe, Europa now employs 1,300 people across 30 global sites and operates in 160 countries. The group’s diversified portfolio comprises:

● Europa Road: Offering a unique Money Back Guarantee on European freight.
● Europa Warehouse: Managing over one million sq. ft. of automated and manual fulfilment 3PL space in Corby, Dartford, and Birmingham.
● Europa Air & Sea: Rapidly expanding with strategic hubs in Hong Kong, China, the UAE, India and the UK.

With its own dedicated customs specialists, bonded warehousing and global end-to-end air and sea supply chain expertise, Europa Worldwide Group is well positioned as the UK’s trade strategy focus shifts towards emerging markets.

“We have 60 years of experience as our foundation and a family of employees committed to delivering for customers no matter the challenge that confronts them,” concluded Baxter. “Whether it’s moving goods across the Channel Tunnel or the South China Sea, we are ready for the next 60 years. We are Powered by Better.”

Smart parcel locker company Bloq.it has signed a multi-year partnership with the parcel delivery service Evri for the provision of devices and lockers at Co-op locations, starting with the East of England region.

The companies are collaborating to boost Evri’s nationwide OOH network by installing Bloq.it’s NEXT smart lockers with integrated returns functionality and its new standalone returns solution, drop, in hundreds of locations around the country. The first rollout is scheduled for March 2026, beginning in East of England Co-op locations.

As online shopping and returns volumes continue to grow, reverse logistics have become a major consideration for parcel carriers. The rate of returns more than doubled between 2019 and 2025, and UK consumers returned £4.2 billion in merchandise from ecommerce retailers in 2023 alone – highlighting the need for out-of-home infrastructure that supports faster and more convenient returns.

drop is Bloq.it’s dedicated returns solution, designed to operate either as a modular component within NEXT smart lockers or as a standalone unit in locations with high returns volumes. The locker compartment sizing is optimised for Evri’s parcel volume mix. Each drop device has a built-in label printer, a QR and barcode reader, and the same end-to-end maintenance and servicing support of the NEXT lockers.

Miha Jagodic, CEO of Bloq.it, said, “Our recently launched drop devices bridge the gap between consumers and locations for drop-offs, just as our NEXT lockers do for parcel pick-up. The drop promise is all about the user convenience. A major logistics company like Evri choosing to deploy these devices is an enormous vote of confidence in our technology and is part of our UK market consolidation efforts. Evri understands that dedicated returns infrastructure is essential to a modern and hybrid OOH network, whether as a standalone or part of a larger integrated parcel station. The combination of NEXT and drop is the basis of this network, and we’re proud to provide it.”

Liam Rogan, Head of Out of Home at Evri, said, “We have an ambitious plan to significantly expand our ParcelShop and Locker network, and are committed to offering greater delivery choices for the consumers, retail clients, and businesses that we serve. This major multi-million-pound investment will establish one of the UK’s largest pick-up, drop-off networks in the UK. Our expanding network of locations is shaping the future of parcel delivery in the UK with smart technology and greater accessibility, and Bloq.it is a great partner to help scale it.”

With drop, it takes just seconds to return a parcel, meaning users don’t need to wait in line to hand over return packages for manual processing. Evri couriers can then collect all the return parcels at once, consolidating dozens of pick-ups into a single stop. Bloq.it’s NEXT lockers simplify the other critical process in the parcel lifecycle: its pick-up. Retrieving a package takes fewer than 30 seconds using the touchscreen display and barcode reader. For business owners, this combination significantly declutters the physical pick-up/drop-off space and increases foot traffic while cutting lines.

Not all parcel pick-up and drop-off locations have the same level of foot traffic, parcel volume, and proportion of drop-offs versus pick-ups. This modular approach allows Evri to deploy the right infrastructure for each location, balancing deliveries and returns while scaling efficiently nationwide.

The Evri and Bloq.it partnership increases accessibility by enabling deployment across hundreds of locations previously considered out of reach, while optimising reverse logistics at each site. The rollout supports both companies’ long-term ambition to strengthen the UK’s out-of-home parcel infrastructure as consumer demand continues to grow.