MediaMarktSaturn and Smartmile launch new parcel station

Consumer electronics retailer MediaMarktSaturn has partnered with Dutch start-up Smartmile to launch a new fully automated parcel station in Ingolstadt, Germany.

Customers sign up for the service at www.smartmile.de, where they receive an individual ID.

Smartmile also sends the customer a pin number via text, which they must enter when collecting the parcel.

MediaMarktSaturn’s chief innovation officer Martin Wild said: “Innovations are extremely important to our business. That’s why we’re always launching pilot projects with our startups from the Retailtech Hub.

“This time I’m delighted that with Smartmile, for the first time we’ve been able to implement a pilot project at the campus in Ingolstadt.

“This project allows us to trial new technologies while having them experienced by the people of Ingolstadt.”

The company will store the parcels for seven days at the centre, unless an extended time is requested. The Smartmile parcel station can also be used to handle returns.

The retailer has plans to expand the station’s offerings, including a mobile phone repair service.

The company has also equipped the parcel station’s fully automatic modular shelf system with an integrated payment function, which allows customers to make payments.