Delivery of parcels made easy in Shanghai

Local courier firms will set up sub-units near residential communities to keep packages if the recipients are not around to receive them.

The SF and YTO Express have opened some 100 such units across the city, officials said at the China E-Commerce and Logistic Forum.

The SF Express has 97 parcel storage units in downtown that cover 10 to 30 square meters. The parcels are kept at these units and receivers are told to pick them up from the nearest units.

SF plans to open another 100 such units next year.

The local YTO Express has set up automatic machines at some local communities.

The parcels are stored inside and the password are sent to the receivers on their mobile phones who can unlock and pick them up later.

The firms have also begun cooperating with more than 1,000 convenience stores, including Alldays and C-store.