Smart lockers throughout the city area
Security of supply and strengthening regional trade
Digital, regional and easy to use - the "Digital Marketplace" pilot project will in future provide Linz residents with convenient, local supplies without long detours. Specifically, these are lockable self-service pick-up stations with partially refrigerated compartments. Goods previously ordered online or by telephone will be placed inside and collected by customers using a code sent to them. The digital pick-up stations are to be set up at 15 locations in the Volkshäuser stores in the city of Linz, among others.
"Linz is the first city in Austria to install a digital marketplace in this form. The pick-up station is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for all citizens. This guarantees security of supply with short delivery routes. Older and frail citizens in particular will be able to shop sustainably, conveniently and customer-orientated without having to travel long distances," says Mayor Klaus Luger, welcoming the project.
"The digital marketplace is a smart pick-up station where goods are stored by suppliers and can be easily deposited and collected by customers at any time. This means no more long waiting times in the shop and no more restricted opening hours. This is our answer to Amazon & Co. We are thus strengthening the regional economy," emphasises Deputy Mayor Markus Hein.
The Digital Marketplace (DMP) is open around the clock and is to be set up in the 15 community centres in the city of Linz - from Urfahr to Ebelsberg. This service will be available to the people of Linz free of charge, i.e. without a user fee.
Short distances for older people
The digital marketplace is intended to make everyday life easier for older, frail people in particular. Whether it's daily mail, shopping or ordered parcels - extra trips to the local supermarket, bakery and the like are saved with the help of the smart pick-up boxes, as the goods can be deposited directly in the digital marketplace and picked up near their own home. Customer-friendly payment options with the supplier and simple operation for opening the pick-up station round off the offer.
New distribution channel for regional suppliers
For suppliers, the digital marketplace opens up an interesting business model with new sales channels. With minimal effort, retailers have the opportunity to distribute their business to many different locations in Linz - making regional trade on a par with traditional online trade.
The 15 community centres in the city of Linz have been earmarked as potential locations for the Digital Marketplace (DMP).
"Being able to deliver around the clock, even in a crisis, offers businesses a unique advantage over traditional online retail," explains Hannes Pöcklhofer, who is significantly involved in the pilot project with his company "HP Projektentwicklung Pöcklhofer". The company developed the "Digital Marketplace" together with the "Variocube GmbH" and the UPPER AUSTRIA. Food clusters already in the communities St. Florian, Lichtenberg and Gramastetten were tested and implemented.
This innovative distribution option is used by local retailers and regional suppliers to bring their products to their customers via direct marketers. A selection of the businesses from which orders can be placed can be found on the web at www.digitalermarktplatz.com. "All potential suppliers for the pilot project in Linz can now get in touch to establish contact with the transfer stations to be set up," says Deputy Mayor Markus Hein, Head of Infrastructure.
Simple operation - this is how it works
The technology of the digital marketplace system is easy to use. The goods are ordered online or by telephone from the supplier, specifying the collection point to which the customer would like the goods or parcel to be delivered. After payment and delivery, they receive a collection code with which they can remove their goods from the station.
The parcel compartments are allocated dynamically for each consignment and released again after collection. Customers are informed by e-mail or text message that their parcel has been delivered. Using a collection code sent to them, they can remove the parcel from the locker in the collection station at any time, completely independently of the delivery.
(Information document for the press conference of Mayor Klaus Luger and Infrastructure Officer Vice Mayor Markus Hein on the subject "Digital Marketplace)
Further interlocutor:
Hannes Pöcklhofer, Managing Director HP-Projektentwicklung Pöcklhofer
