Singapore’s nationwide parcel locker network is set to be owned and operated by the government entity Pick Network, with 1,000 locker stations expected in HDB estates, transport nodes and community centres by end-2021. Ahead of this, some questions are worth asking: Should the parcel locker network necessarily be run by a government entity, or would it be better left to private market forces? What would Pick’s endgame be? This is pertinent because parcel lockers are much more complex than traditional mailboxes. They come with steeper costs due to tech elements and security requirements to ensure public safety. Why did IMDA not tender for a private-sector operator to run the network, but instead decide to form its own subsidiary? One private-sector player, speaking on condition of anonymity, was surprised by the government’s involvement in the network. The executive said Pick would be “essentially competing” with private operators and placing them at a disadvantage. Given that Pick will have much more scale and access to prime locations, the impact on private-sector locker operators could be something to watch.... Continue Reading