13.2.2025
Deliver customer convenience with Click and Collect
Positioned as a convenient bridge between online shopping and home delivery, Europe’s Click and Collect retail market is set to skyrocket, growing nearly six-fold from EUR 36 billion in 2023 to EUR 213 billion by 2032. Groceries, a cornerstone of this expansion, are driving the rapid rise alongside infrastructure investments from retail giants like Tesco, Coop Sverige, and Carrefour.
In Finland, Click and Collect is also growing fast. Hundreds of locker systems are already in use, with the network set to expand rapidly over the next two years, driven in part by Punta’s efforts to harmonize confusing pick-up and delivery practices.
Retailers and customers winning since 2018
Back in 2018, when Click and Collect solutions were virtually unheard of in Finland—particularly in the grocery sector—Punta began developing an innovative software solution tailored to meet the unique challenges of grocery retailers. By addressing real-world operational hurdles, the solution improved the experience for both grocery chains and their customers, paving the way for broader adoption across Finland’s retail landscape.
The benefits for retailers are clear: Click and Collect reduces the costs associated with last-mile delivery while also opening the door for impulse purchases. Impulse purchases make up a significant portion of retail sales, accounting for 80% of in-store grocery sales.
For end customers, the appeal lies in its flexibility and convenience. Gone are the days of waiting for home deliveries within a fixed time window. Instead, customers can choose when to pick up their orders, whether it’s during a lunch break or after school drop-off. This level of convenience is a significant selling point, as it aligns perfectly with the modern lifestyle.
This creates a win-win situation, where customers enjoy a seamless, modern shopping experience, and retailers boost their revenue while streamlining operations.
Simplifying the Click and Collect experience
Today, Punta is a one-stop shop that offers a unified, in-house solution for Click and Collect lockers. It provides design, development, manufacturing, and software under one roof, eliminating compatibility issues and integration challenges that arise when using different vendors for hardware and software.
“Our software covers the entire process, from order handling and shelving to sending the pickup PIN code, ensuring seamless logistics and efficient in-store operations. Features like “Live” make pickups even more convenient: The customer receives a confirmation SMS containing pickup information and a link. The link opens a landing page where the customer announces their arrival. Staff are notified through their application about the customer’s arrival time and location,” says Marko Vornanen, a sales manager at Punta.
Vilma Lappalainen, a UI designer at Punta, adds that there is also a mobile application for order handling tailored for handheld barcode scanners, which streamlines the order fulfillment process and minimizes manual errors. “Additionally, there are tools that provide nationwide locker visibility, enabling staff to manage them remotely.”
Meeting the demands of tomorrow
Punta’s integrated, Finnish-made approach is redefining Click and Collect with a focus on high quality, reliability, and scalability. By controlling every aspect of the process — from design and software to manufacturing — Punta ensures a seamless experience for both retailers and customers.
With user-friendly interfaces and customizable options, the lockers are available in various configurations, including temperature-controlled units for groceries and compliance with age-restricted product regulations, like alcohol.
“In Finland, alcohol purchases are restricted to specific hours, and our system includes an additional verification step,” explains Vornanen. “When a customer collects an order that includes alcohol, they enter a delivery code at the locker, triggering a notification to store staff. An employee then verifies the customer’s age before unlocking the door.”
As the demand for Click and Collect grows, Punta is setting a new standard, delivering more intelligent, more innovative systems that drive value for businesses and satisfaction for their customers, notes Lappalainen. “Through continuous feedback and collaboration with major customers, we are fine-tuning our offering, ensuring that employees and customers enjoy an optimized pick-up experience.”
With next-generation smart lockers and enhanced software tools on the horizon, Punta is well-positioned to lead the way into the future of retail logistics.
Continuous Improvement
Punta is dedicated to developing products that enhance user experience by actively seeking feedback from locker users. The adjustments and optimizations are implemented to benefit all customers, even those who did not directly request specific changes.
“Punta is engineered for flexibility. We take pride in designing, developing, and manufacturing our solutions, encompassing every aspect of our operations. Our expertise spans mechanical design, software, hardware, and firmware, allowing us to provide a complete package, including comprehensive after-sales support,” notes Suominen.
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