Singapore Press : SPH partners Parcel Santa to expand footprint in e-commerce end-mile delivery

Singapore, Monday 21 May, 2018 - Singapore-based parcel locker start-up, Parcel Santa, has partnered Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) to leverage on the media and property group's extensive newspaper delivery network to expedite e-commerce deliveries to its Parcel Santa lockers which are currently located in 100 condominium precincts. Parcel Santa is currently the sole provider and operator of smart-locker based concierge services for condominiums in Singapore.

SPH and Parcel Santa are two of the companies that have pledged to be part of the Federated Lockers and Collection Points Pilot Programme, which is an initiative by IMDA. It was unveiled at IMDA's SG:D Industry Day on Monday, 21 May, held at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Parcel recipients will be informed via an SMS when their parcels have been delivered to the secured lockers. Recipients have up to twenty-four hours to collect their parcels, using a One Time Password (OTP). Alternatively, they may choose to reschedule their delivery to other lockers at another location or pay a small fee to extend the collection period.

The entire delivery process is monitored by Parcel Santa's proprietary back-office system. There are sensors which identify and grant authorised recipients to access the lockers and collect their parcels.

Through this partnership, SPH's network of more than 3,000 vendors and delivery crew, operating out of vans and motorcycles, will make deliveries to the Parcel Santa lockers or directly to the customers at their homes. There will also be the option of using any of the 59 SPH Buzz Convenience Stores as a drop-off or collection point.

Presently, in addition to the delivery of newspapers to subscribers' doorsteps, the SPH vendors also make deliveries of breakfast grocery items purchased from Buzz Convenience Stores' online platform. Items ordered before 10.00pm will be delivered before 7.30am. This partnership harnesses the last-mile capability of SPH's island-wide delivery network.

Mr Jim Huang, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Parcel Santa said: 'SPH and Buzz Convenience Stores form one of Singapore's most established delivery networks. And we are proud to partner with them, among other industry leading courier partners, to present a truly agnostic and neutral IoT based platform for the benefit and convenience of consumers islandwide.'

Mr Spencer Tan, Deputy General Manager of SPH Buzz Convenience Stores said: 'This collaboration with Parcel Santa is just one of the latest foray to boost our presence in the e-commerce segment, particularly in the last-mile delivery. Our delivery network offers an unparalleled competitive advantage - we can reach out to customers between the hours of 5.30 am to 7.30 am, on top of their newspaper runs. Operating during off-peak periods means greater efficiency and easing congestion especially in high density areas.'

For partnership enquiries with SPH and SPH Buzz, please contact Mr Spencer Tan (sptan@sph.com.sg) or Mr Bernard Yeo (bernardy@sph.com.sg).

For more information, please contact:

Mr Yeo Siew Chi
Corporate Communications & CSR
Singapore Press Holdings Ltd
DID: 6319-1586
Email: yeosc@sph.com.sg

About Singapore Press Holdings Ltd

Incorporated in 1984, main board-listed Singapore Press Holdings Ltd (SPH) is Asia's leading media organisation, engaging minds and enriching lives across multiple languages and platforms.

SPH's core business is publishing of newspapers, magazines and books in both print and digital editions. It also owns other digital products, online classifieds, radio stations and outdoor media.

On the property front, SPH owns 70% in a real estate investment trust called SPH REIT which comprises Paragon, a premier upscale retail mall and medical suite/office property in Orchard Road and The Clementi Mall, a mid-market suburban mall. SPH also owns and operates The Seletar Mall. It is developing a new commercial cum residential site at Woodleigh. It also has a stake in Chinatown Point.

It is in the aged care sector and owns Orange Valley, Singapore's largest private nursing home operator.

SPH runs a regional events arm and a chain of Buzz retail outlets. It also invested in the education business.