Just the PeaksThis newsletter at a glance
|
As home deliveries surge, Everest steps ahead of the trend
Throughout the pandemic, food and parcel deliveries saw a massive increase. Seemingly overnight, ecommerce platforms were inundated with purchases as COVID-crazed families stayed in, ordered out, and hunkered down for months.
In fact, following March of 2020, home deliveries across the U.S. increased by a whopping 70%. What began as a necessity soon became the next big trend as millions of Americans discovered the wonderful, convenient world of online shopping.
Let’s take a look at the stats.
According to Parcel Pending, 73% of consumers report shopping online more today than before, while 88% say they will continue to buy online even after the pandemic ends. From 2019 to 2020, the company’s smart electronic locker systems saw a 46% increase, processing nearly 4 million packages in a year’s time.
The new storage wars
Whether it’s Amazon boxes, grocery hauls, meal kits, pet supplies, or dry cleaning, one thing is certain: apartment buildings are overwhelmed. This past holiday season had many property managers hopelessly scrambling to sort and store everything.
“Keeping package overflow contained is crucial to multi-family housing units,” writes a contributor at Donnellon McCarthy Enterprises. “When packages are spilling out into the halls, it’s not just an inconvenience; it’s a liability.”
Boxes and bags pose an obvious fall hazard when lining walls and littering halls of your building. They’re also terrible eyesores, taking up space in storage rooms, stairwells, entryways, lobbies, and other high-traffic areas. If you’re lucky enough to have onsite staff, the organization process alone steals hours of the day.
“Online ordering is at an all-time high with no end in sight,” writes Laura Calugar of Multi-Housing News. “Managing packages effectively is one of the most time-consuming challenges property managers currently face.”
Oh, and let’s not forget actual stealing. Multifamily settings are notorious for theft, as unoccupied packages create opportunities for crime. In the last year, Safewise estimates that 64.1% of Americans were victims of package theft.
Bottom line is—having a poor (or nonexistent) system is bad for tenants, staff, and couriers. Apartment managers need a fresh approach if they want to keep pace with today’s home delivery and on-demand services boom.
If you’re looking to streamline your building’s package management, Everest has a game plan for every size building and budget. Good luck out there!
Option 1
Install a locker system
If you’re short on space, lockers offer a discreet way to manage packages and give residents secure access to their goods. Companies like Parcel Pending, Package Nexus, and Amazon Hub provide endless configurations to suit your needs including indoor and outdoor locker systems, offsite package storage services, and onsite lockboxes.
Residents are typically assigned a locker number and PIN code for access. Notifications are automatically sent via email or app, so there’s never a breakdown in communication. There are also special options to allow for cold storage and overflow.
All costs considered, experienced property managers say you should see an ROI “within the first year or two.”
Price: $
Pros: prevents theft, minimal footprint, 24/7 access, contactless, adaptable
Cons: takes up space, restrictive for large packages, requires courier compliance
Option 2
Hire a third-party package manager
To give tenants a little extra convenience, services like Fetch manage and deliver packages direct to their door. This is an excellent option for buildings that are short on staff or too small to accommodate locker systems.
“By outsourcing their package management services to third-party companies, communities avoid the need for dedicated space onsite and allow office teams to focus on revenue-driven initiatives like leasing and move-ins,” says Calugar.
In the case of Fetch, residents use an app to receive notifications and schedule delivery windows. Community managers wash their hands of the package chaos and give residents priceless peace of mind.
Price: $$
Pros: stops porch pirates, zero footprint, flexible scheduling, morning deliveries
Cons: somewhat pricy, residents must coordinate, no food, reports of lost packages
Option 3
Have a 24-hour concierge team
To solve your package problem once and for all, consider forming your own onsite team dedicated to handling deliveries. This option is ideal for luxury rentals wanting to build their list of amenities or really any building that can afford the space.
Calugar notes, “Residents can also use it to book other services, such as home cleaning or grocery shopping.”
Depending on the size and scope of their daily deliveries, managers can designate a corner of the lobby, laundry room, or mechanical closet as a package hub. Concierge staff are then hired to receive and sort packages, notify residents, and oversee pick-ups.
Price: $$$
Pros: high-end amenity, permanent solution, live humans, good for food deliveries
Cons: costly salaries, requires staff training, must pay extra for notification system