Across Europe, out-of-home (OOH) delivery has become a key part of the e-commerce logistics landscape. In the Netherlands, the model works particularly well because of the country’s dense population, strong retail infrastructure and highly developed parcel delivery networks.
For UK retailers selling into the Dutch market, offering parcel locker and pickup-point delivery can significantly improve the customer experience. Dutch consumers are accustomed to flexible delivery options and often expect to choose where and when they collect their parcels.
This article explains how out-of-home delivery works in the Netherlands, the trends shaping its growth, and why retailers entering the Dutch market should consider integrating locker and pickup-point delivery options into their checkout process.
Asendia’s out-of-home network in the Netherlands
- Country: Netherlands
- Lockers and collection points: 2,000
- Local delivery partner: DPD
- Access methods: Parcel lockers and retail pickup points
The Netherlands has a well-developed parcel logistics infrastructure, and the network of lockers and pickup locations continues to expand as e-commerce volumes increase.
Through partnerships with local carriers such as DPD, Asendia enables retailers to access these networks and provide delivery options that align with local consumer expectations.
Why out-of-home delivery works well in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is one of the most digitally connected countries in Europe, with high levels of internet usage and online shopping adoption.
Several factors make out-of-home delivery particularly effective in this market.
High population density
The Netherlands has one of the highest population densities in Europe. This allows logistics companies to build efficient parcel locker and pickup-point networks with strong geographic coverage.
Advanced logistics infrastructure
Dutch logistics networks are widely recognised for their efficiency. Parcel carriers operate highly organised distribution systems that support both home delivery and collection-point delivery.
Consumer familiarity with flexible delivery
Dutch consumers are comfortable choosing delivery options that fit their routines, including collection points located near workplaces, shops or transport routes.
Strong cross-border e-commerce
The Netherlands is an active cross-border e-commerce market, with consumers regularly purchasing products from international retailers.
How Dutch consumers use pickup points and lockers
In the Netherlands, pickup points and parcel lockers are typically located in places that people visit regularly.
These include:
- Supermarkets
- Convenience stores
- Transport hubs
- Shopping centres
This positioning allows customers to collect parcels during everyday activities, which increases the practicality of OOH delivery.
Parcel lockers provide additional flexibility by allowing parcels to be collected outside standard shop opening hours.
E-commerce trends in the Dutch market
The Dutch e-commerce market continues to grow steadily as consumers increasingly shop online across a wide range of product categories.
Several trends are shaping delivery expectations.
Flexible delivery choices - Customers expect multiple delivery options during checkout.
Reliable tracking - Real-time tracking and delivery notifications are considered standard.
Convenient returns - Retailers are increasingly offering simple return options through locker networks and pickup points.
These trends highlight the importance of delivery flexibility in the overall online shopping experience.
What this means for UK retailers
For UK retailers entering the Dutch market, offering pickup-point delivery can provide several advantages.
- Improved delivery success
- Delivering to collection locations reduces the risk of failed delivery attempts.
- Better customer convenience
- Customers can collect parcels when it suits their schedule.
- Stronger cross-border confidence
- Providing familiar delivery options can make international purchases feel more reliable.
Retailers who match local delivery preferences often see stronger engagement and repeat purchasing.
How Asendia supports OOH delivery in the Netherlands
Through its partnerships with local logistics providers such as DPD, Asendia connects retailers to thousands of collection points and parcel lockers across the Netherlands. This enables international retailers to offer flexible delivery options without needing to establish their own distribution infrastructure in the country.
Asendia’s cross-border delivery solutions also support parcel tracking, customs processes and customer notifications.
The future of OOH delivery in the Netherlands
The Netherlands already operates one of the most efficient parcel delivery ecosystems in Europe, and OOH delivery networks are expected to play an increasingly central role as parcel volumes continue to grow.
European parcel market forecasts suggest annual parcel volumes will continue rising across the region as e-commerce penetration increases. In densely populated markets such as the Netherlands, locker networks and retail pickup points provide an efficient way to manage this growth without placing excessive pressure on urban delivery networks.
Delivery providers in the Dutch market have already begun expanding locker infrastructure in response to consumer demand for flexible parcel collection. As these networks expand, OOH delivery is expected to account for a growing proportion of total parcel deliveries.
For retailers selling into the Netherlands, offering locker and pickup delivery options will increasingly be viewed as a baseline expectation rather than a premium feature. Flexible delivery options are likely to play a key role in supporting cross-border e-commerce growth while helping delivery providers maintain efficient parcel distribution across the country.
Sources
Statista – E-commerce market in the Netherlands
https://www.statista.com/topics/4078/e-commerce-in-the-netherlands
Ecommerce Europe market reports
IPC Cross-Border E-commerce Shopper Survey
