Mondial Relay Cuts Ties with Local Businesses, Shifts to Automated Lockers
Table of Contents
- Mondial Relay Cuts Ties with Local Businesses, Shifts to Automated Lockers
- Mondial Relay’s Shift to Automated lockers: Your Questions Answered
- What’s happening with Mondial Relay?
- Why is Mondial Relay Making this Change?
- Where is this happening?
- What are “automated Lockers”?
- What are the benefits of automated lockers for consumers?
- Where are these lockers located?
- How do automated lockers compare to traditional pickup points?
- How does the shift affect local businesses?
- How profitable are automated lockers for businesses?
- What do customers think of the change?
- What does Denis Sanson, the local business owner, think of this change?
- Is Mondial Relay responsive to questions about these changes?
BEAUMONT-HAGUE, France – Denis Sanson, a local business owner in Beaumont-Hague, received an unexpected notice: Mondial Relay, a package delivery service, would no longer be utilizing his garage as a relay point.
Sanson, who runs the First Car garage, had been a part of the Mondial Relay network for 15 years, allowing customers to pick up online orders at his workshop. His business was one of the few such locations in the Hague region, serving a population of approximately 11,000.
Adapting to Changing Consumer Habits
The decision, according to Mondial Relay, is part of a broader strategy to “strengthen competitiveness” by adapting to evolving consumer habits in France. The company announced in March 2025 that it would be severing ties with a portion of its relay points, possibly affecting nearly 3,500 of its 11,000 locations.
Mondial Relay cited the evolving delivery market and changing consumer preferences as reasons for the shift.
The Rise of Automated Lockers
Like many areas in France, Beaumont-hague has seen the emergence of automated lockers, or large parcel cabinets, in public spaces. A Super U supermarket parking lot installed such lockers three years ago, offering customers a convenient alternative to traditional relay points.
These lockers provide consumers with the flexibility to pick up or send packages 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
According to Fevad,a french e-commerce association,42% of french online shoppers have used automated pickup points,with usage notably high among those under 35.
I find that the lockers are easy to access for parking, that it is speedy to deposit or recover a package and that, as there are no timetables, it is according to my desire. The advantage is that I have one at 400 meters from my home. I have also already had bugs from my fault and the customer service is nice and very responsive.
Super U receives approximately 400 euros per month from Mondial Relay for the locker space and electricity costs. The supermarket’s management stated that this arrangement is more profitable than managing package deliveries at the store’s reception desk. They also noted that the lockers simplify operations, especially with the growth of online sales.
The supermarket also noted that the carrier handles all logistics,including package problems,through a dedicated support number. The Super U location is currently the only Mondial Relay locker in the Hague region, with the next closest option located in leclerc Querqueville.
I think there was room for everyone, cabinets cannot contain large packages for example.
sanson estimates that he handled up to 100 packages per day during peak seasons, earning between 200 and 500 euros per month from the service. He received between 15 and 30 cents for each package handled.
“It’s not going to ruin me. I prefer to sell tires and do mechanics,” Sanson said. However, he expressed regret over the loss of social interaction with customers who visited his workshop to pick up packages.
“Up to 100 people per day!” Sanson exclaimed. “I loved the human side,chatting with customers. What annoys me the most is that they have put it in place to save local shops and that they throw us, without us having our say.”
Mondial Relay did not respond to requests for comment.
Mondial Relay’s Shift to Automated lockers: Your Questions Answered
What’s happening with Mondial Relay?
Mondial Relay, a package delivery service, is changing how it operates.They’re cutting ties with some of their traditional pickup locations, such as local businesses, and increasing their use of automated lockers.
Why is Mondial Relay Making this Change?
According to the information available, Mondial Relay is adapting to changing consumer habits and seeking to “strengthen competitiveness” within the delivery market. They are also responding to evolving delivery preferences.
Where is this happening?
The changes are impacting areas in France, specifically, Beaumont-Hague, where a local business owner, Denis Sanson, in Beaumont-hague, received notice that Mondial Relay would no longer be using his garage as a relay point. The company announced in March 2025 that it would be severing ties with a portion of its relay points, possibly affecting nearly 3,500 of its 11,000 locations.
What are “automated Lockers”?
Automated lockers, also called parcel cabinets, are essentially large, secure cabinets in public spaces where people can pick up or send packages. Users access them using a code or other means, offering 24/7 availability.
What are the benefits of automated lockers for consumers?
Automated lockers provide consumers with:
- Convenience: 24/7 access for package pick-up and drop-off.
- Flexibility: Option to retrieve or send packages according to their own schedule.
Where are these lockers located?
As of the original report,in the Hague region,for example,there is a Mondial Relay locker in the Super U supermarket parking lot. The source notes that the nearest alternative is in Leclerc Querqueville.
How do automated lockers compare to traditional pickup points?
Here’s a comparison:
| Feature | Traditional Relay points (e.g., Local Businesses) | Automated Lockers |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Limited by business hours | 24/7 |
| Convenience | Requires travel to the business during operating hours. | Located in public spaces,ofen easily accessible. |
| Social Interaction | often involves interaction with the business owner. | Minimal to none. |
| Package Handling | Relay point handles the packages. | Automated, carrier handles logistics. |
How does the shift affect local businesses?
Local businesses that served as Mondial Relay pickup points are losing a source of income and, for some, a source of social interaction. Denis Sanson, for example, earned between 200 and 500 euros per month, handling up to 100 packages per day during peak seasons.
How profitable are automated lockers for businesses?
The Super U supermarket, mentioned in the source material, receives approximately 400 euros per month from Mondial Relay for the locker space and electricity costs. It is more profitable then managing package deliveries at the store’s reception desk, and simplifies operations.The carrier handles the logistics, including package problems.
What do customers think of the change?
Customers like Céline Le Guay find the lockers easy to access and quick. They also appreciate the flexibility of being able to pick up packages at any time.
What does Denis Sanson, the local business owner, think of this change?
Denis Sanson, feels the lockers cannot contain large packages. He also regrets the loss of the social interaction he had with customers.
Is Mondial Relay responsive to questions about these changes?
According to the article, mondial Relay did not respond to requests for comment.
