Fuel retailer Engen and logistics company UTi Distribution have announced plans to roll out e-commerce lockers at Engen forecourts, starting in Sandton in Johannesburg.

The news comes just months after Makro announced that it was working with Engen rival Sasol to offer a similar locker system, allowing shoppers to the discount retailer’s website to have their orders delivers there instead of to their home or office address.

The first UTi ByBox parcel delivery system has already been launched at the Woodlands Convenience Centre in Woodmead, Johannesburg. The lockers are now being rolled out to five Engen service stations in the Sandton area.

“When ordering online, shoppers simply select the ByBox delivery option to their nearest locker at selected Engen service stations,” explains UTi MD Greg Saffy in a statement.

“Parcels are dispatched the next day, and drivers scan them in at the selected ByBox terminal. The correct one opens automatically, and an SMS is sent to the customer with the delivery location and a Pin number to access the locker.”

Customers can also send parcels via UTi ByBox. They buy a UTi “PAK” from an associated retailer and package it, complete the dispatch note, scan it in at a ByBox terminal and follow the touchscreen instructions to put it in the designated locker. — © 2015 NewsCentral Media