InPost deepens France push with lockers

Parcel-locker group InPost will invest a further €500 million in France by 2030, strengthening its out-of-home delivery network as e-commerce growth and consumer demand for flexible collection points reshape Europe’s parcel market.

The commitment adds fresh weight to the expansion strategy of the Poland-based logistics company, which has been building France into one of its most important markets outside its home base. The investment is intended to support organic growth rather than acquisition-led expansion, with funds expected to go into lockers, sorting capacity, technology and the wider delivery infrastructure linked to its Mondial Relay network.

France has become a key battleground for parcel operators as retailers, marketplaces and carriers seek cheaper and more predictable alternatives to doorstep delivery. Lockers and pick-up points reduce failed deliveries, lower last-mile costs and give shoppers wider control over collection times. For operators, the model can improve density, cut driver mileage and increase network efficiency in urban and suburban areas.

InPost entered France at scale through its acquisition of Mondial Relay, a major out-of-home delivery operator, in 2021. That deal gave the group a large base of pick-up and drop-off points across France, Benelux and the Iberian Peninsula, helping it move beyond the Polish market where its automated parcel machines had already become a central part of online shopping logistics.

The additional French investment comes as InPost is also navigating a proposed €7.8 billion takeover by a consortium led by FedEx and Advent International. The cash offer of €15.60 per share opened on May 26 and is due to run until July 27, with completion targeted for the second half of 2026 if acceptance and regulatory conditions are met. The transaction requires broad shareholder support and has drawn scrutiny from some investors who argue that the offer undervalues the company’s long-term growth prospects.

Management has signalled that expansion plans will continue regardless of the ownership outcome. Founder and chief executive Rafał Brzoska has positioned InPost as a European technology-led logistics platform rather than a conventional parcel carrier, with growth tied to dense automated networks, mobile applications and merchant partnerships. France fits that strategy because its e-commerce market is large, geographically diverse and still has room for further locker penetration.

InPost’s operating momentum has supported the case for further investment. The group handled 359 million parcels in the first quarter of 2026, up 32 per cent year on year, while revenue rose 31 per cent to about PLN 3.9 billion. Growth was strongest in the UK and Ireland, but the Eurozone business also expanded sharply, helped by rising consumer adoption of out-of-home delivery. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation stood at PLN 902.2 million, reflecting both higher volumes and investment costs linked to network growth.

The company’s European network has grown into one of the largest in the sector, with more than 94,000 out-of-home points and over 64,000 automated parcel machines. France has become a central part of that footprint through Mondial Relay, whose lockers and collection locations serve both domestic and cross-border e-commerce traffic. The latest French investment suggests InPost sees the market not only as a delivery base but also as a platform for wider European integration.

Competition remains intense. La Poste’s Pickup network, Geopost, DHL and other logistics groups have been expanding lockers and parcel shops across Europe. Retailers are also seeking carrier-neutral delivery options, while marketplaces continue to pressure logistics partners on cost, speed and reliability. The result is a shift from home delivery as the default model towards hybrid networks that combine lockers, parcel shops and selective doorstep delivery.

France’s policy environment has added to the appeal of logistics investment. Authorities have been courting foreign capital for infrastructure, technology and industrial projects, while cities are under pressure to reduce congestion and emissions linked to delivery traffic. Locker networks can support those goals when placed near transport hubs, supermarkets, residential districts and retail centres, although local planning rules and site access remain important constraints.