How to start a parcel pick-up point

Online shopping is bigger than ever, with consumers buying from online stores and platforms such as Bol.com, Amazon, Marktplaats, Zalando, and Vinted. While delivery services such as PostNL, DHL, DPD, UPS, Mondial Relay, and GLS are working overtime. Customers who are not at home or deliberately choose to pick up their order pick up their parcel at pick-up points in bookshops, petrol stations, tobacco shops, and supermarkets.

Are you thinking about opening a pick-up point at your business? These questions and answers will help you make up your mind. 

How much will I earn operating a pick-up point?

You will earn an amount of between 20 and 30 cents per parcel or dropped off item. Some companies use a sliding scale or performance-based bonus. The more parcels you process, the more you will earn. You may also get a bonus for extra-large or heavy items. This will increase your income.

What sort of costs will I incur?

While you will earn money, you will also be required to make certain investments.

• you will pay more in banking fees and charges due to the additional POS transactions.
• you will have to invest in storage space (including racks and extra locks).
• Your insurance premiums will go up, including for fire, flooding, and burglary.
• Depending on the parcel volumes you will be handling, you will need to invest in a larger service desk or buy an additional cash register.
• One thing you will want to avoid is having parcels lined up or piled up inside your business, as this will put off regular customers. So you may  decide to hire new staff to help you handle the parcels more efficiently.

Which delivery service will be my business partner?

Delivery services set certain requirements for affiliated service points, including specific opening hours, the accessibility of the building, and the size of the storage facility. Find out what the terms are of the various delivery services operating in the Netherlands. Be sure to take note of the following:

• Payment terms. How long before you get paid?
• Exclusivity. Are you able to also work for other delivery services?
• Notice period. If you intend to terminate the contract, how does this work and how much notice do you need to give?

Ask other entrepreneurs who have been operating a pick-up point for some time about their experiences.

Do I need to be a retail outlet?

While parcel pick-up points are a common sight in retail shops, you do not actually need to be a retailer to provide this service. You can operate a pick-up point in a hair salon, travel agency, DIY store, self-storage company, or even a hotel. And some zzp'ers who work from home are opening a pick-up point, for example for Homerr or ViaTim.

What do I need to organise with KVK?

Are you expanding your business with a parcel point? If so, report it to KVK. Your main business activity is then, for example, retail trade in books and magazines, with a parcel point as an  additional activity. This way, you make sure your KVK registration is up to date. This is important, as it may have consequences for insurance premiums, licences, collective agreements and subsidies. Registering a new business activity is free of charge and can be done online.

What else do I need to keep in mind?

Here are some extra things to think about if you open a parcel pick-up point.

1. Time for regular cuastomers

Make sure that, amid all the extra traffic from your parcel point, you also find the time to assist other people in your shop who  need attention and advice.”

2. Think about size and quantity

Most parcels are relatively small, but sometimes you will have to move heavy items: rolled-up carpets, cat litter in bulk packaging, a pack of floor tiles. And if you serve as a pick-up point for several delivery services, there will be large numbers of parcels arriving throughout the day which you then need to hand over to customers.

3. Learn by doing

Before you open your parcel point, follow online trainings from the delivery service. For example, on how to enter parcels into the system. Ask a fellow entrepreneur if you can tag along for a day. That way, you learn in practice how to work quickly and conveniently. This will help you avoid long waiting times and mistakes.