Out-of-home (OOH) delivery - sending parcels to lockers or staffed collection points instead of home addresses - has become a mainstream part of e-commerce across Europe.
In France, it is especially well established. Pickup points in shops, supermarkets, and post offices have long been part of daily life, and consumers are comfortable collecting parcels as part of their routine.
For UK retailers selling into France, understanding this model is important. Offering pickup-point delivery can improve customer experience, reduce missed deliveries, and make cross-border shopping more convenient.
This guide explains how OOH delivery works in France, key adoption trends, and what retailers should consider when entering the market.
Asendia’s Out-Of-Home network in France
- Country: France
- Lockers and collection points: 29,000
- Local delivery partner: Colissimo (E-Paq Go)
- Access methods: Parcel lockers, retail pickup points, post offices
France has one of Europe’s largest pickup-point networks, with many consumers having a location close to home or work. Through partnerships with local carriers, Asendia connects retailers to this infrastructure.
What OOH delivery means in France
OOH delivery refers to parcels delivered outside the home, including:
- Parcel lockers: Automated lockers in public areas, accessed via secure codes
- Pickup points (PUDO): Staffed locations such as shops and supermarkets
- Post offices: Collection through national postal branches
Customers receive a notification and collect parcels at a convenient time - often 24/7 for lockers.
Why OOH works well in France
France’s delivery ecosystem naturally supports pickup-point logistics:
- Dense urban living: In cities like Paris and Lyon, access for couriers can be difficult, making pickup points more reliable
- Established retail networks: Local shops have long acted as trusted collection points
- Consumer familiarity: Shoppers are used to the model
- Flexible expectations: Many prefer collecting parcels during daily activities
The role in French e-commerce
France is one of Europe’s largest e-commerce markets, with steady growth. Pickup points support this by giving customers control over when they collect orders - especially useful for those working during the day or living in apartments.
Wide availability means customers often have multiple nearby options.
Consumer behaviour trends
Key trends driving OOH growth include:
- Convenience-led shopping: Collection fits into commuting or errands
- Cross-border purchasing: Reliable delivery reduces uncertainty
- Environmental awareness: Consolidated deliveries improve efficiency and may reduce impact
What this means for UK retailers
Matching local delivery expectations can significantly improve performance in France. Pickup-point delivery offers:
- Improved delivery success: Fewer missed deliveries
- Greater convenience: Flexible collection times
- Operational efficiency: Consolidated delivery routes
- Higher checkout confidence: Familiar delivery options increase conversions
How Asendia supports OOH delivery
Asendia partners with local providers to give access to France’s pickup-point network. Retailers can:
- Offer pickup-point delivery at checkout
- Provide tracking and notifications
- Simplify cross-border shipping
- Reach customers nationwide
This helps create a delivery experience familiar to French consumers.
The future of OOH delivery in France
France already has one of Europe’s largest OOH networks, and parcel volumes are expected to grow steadily. Consumer familiarity with lockers and pickup points will continue to increase as networks expand.
OOH delivery is projected to take a larger share of parcel volumes across Europe, with France leading the shift. For retailers, offering lockers and pickup points will soon be a baseline requirement rather than a competitive advantage.
Sources
Ecommerce Europe
Statista – E-commerce market in France
https://www.statista.com/topics/3764/e-commerce-in-france
La Poste Group logistics insights
IPC Cross-Border E-commerce Shopper Survey
