In recent years, the parcel pickup service has undergone a true revolution with the introduction of new delivery methods. Among them, Punto Poste at tobacconists stands out for its convenience and flexibility, offering an ideal solution for both consumers and shop owners. This service is part of the many activities tobacconists carry out to improve citizen services by providing more parcel pickup points across the country.
What is Punto Poste?
Punto Poste is a service by Poste Italiane that allows consumers to pick up their parcels from alternative locations rather than traditional post offices. This service is designed to make parcel collection more convenient and accessible, integrating the tobacconist network into a widespread system of pickup points.
How the Service Works – For Consumers and Tobacconists
Punto Poste is simple and intuitive to use. Consumers can select the nearest tobacconist as a pickup point when placing an online order. Once the parcel arrives at the selected location, the recipient receives a notification and can collect the parcel by presenting an ID and pickup code.
For tobacconists, signing up for the service is equally easy. After signing an agreement with Poste Italiane, tobacconists receive specific training and are provided with the necessary tools to manage the service, such as barcode scanners and management software.
How to Use the Punto Poste Service
Requesting the Punto Poste service is easy. During checkout on any of the many e-commerce platforms that support it, simply select the option to collect the parcel at a Punto Poste tobacconist. Alternatively, you can use the Poste Italiane app to find the most convenient pickup point and manage your shipments.
Locker Integration Possibility
Some tobacconists are also equipped with Poste Italiane Lockers, which function as self-service pickup points. These lockers allow customers to collect parcels independently, even outside the tobacconist’s opening hours, offering even more flexibility.
Note: At the time of writing this article, as stated on Poste.it, "Lockers that are part of the Punto Poste network are currently unavailable due to technical, management, and operational reasons, as part of a network reorganization aimed at improving customer experience. The parcel and express courier services of Poste Italiane S.p.A.—commercially known as Crono, Crono Economy, Crono Express, Crono Reverse, Poste Delivery Business—as well as Poste Delivery Web parcels purchased online, will continue to be available through the more than 16,000 Punto Poste pickup points nationwide and at Post Offices.”
Benefits of Punto Poste for Consumers
Convenient Pickup One of the main advantages of Punto Poste is its convenience. Consumers can pick up their parcels at the tobacconist closest to home or work, avoiding long queues at post offices. This makes the process quicker and easier.
Flexible Hours Tobacconists often have much longer opening hours than post offices. Many stay open late in the evening and on weekends, allowing consumers to pick up parcels at times that suit their schedules.
Reduced Wait Times and Missed Deliveries Punto Poste helps significantly reduce waiting times and missed deliveries. Parcels do not remain undelivered, eliminating the need to plan additional delivery attempts. Customers can go to the tobacconist as soon as they receive a delivery notification.
Security and Reliability Picking up a parcel at a Punto Poste tobacconist ensures a high level of safety and reliability. Tobacconists are secure, supervised locations where parcels are stored with care until collected—minimizing the risk of loss or theft.
Benefits of the System for Tobacconists
Attracting New Customers Offering the Punto Poste service gives tobacconists a chance to attract new customers, including non-smokers. Those coming in to collect a parcel may be drawn to products on display and decide to make additional purchases.
Providing Additional Services Combining Punto Poste with other Poste Italiane services—such as returns, label printing, and shipping with Poste DeliveryBox Express—allows tobacconists to expand their offerings and stand out from the competition. This can attract a broader and more diverse clientele.
Customer Loyalty Offering a useful service like Punto Poste can help build customer loyalty. Regular users of the pickup point are more likely to return to the shop for other purchases or services, creating a trusted, ongoing relationship with the tobacconist.
Innovation and Convenience in Italian Tobacconists
Parcel pickup at tobacconists with Punto Poste is a significant innovation in Italy's delivery landscape. Its combination of convenience, flexibility, and security makes it highly beneficial for consumers, while tobacconists can enjoy increased foot traffic and sales opportunities. With Punto Poste, collecting a parcel has never been easier or more convenient.