Retail in the Netherlands is changing rapidly in 2026. Have you ever observed the busyness around Black Friday or the huge crowds at parcel services? You see that the classic store counter often can’t handle it anymore. Customers don’t want to wait; they want to grab and go. Therefore, in-store lockers are no longer seen as simple metal cabinets, but as true ‘service-hubs’. They connect the physical store floor with the digital speed of online shopping.
For retailers in 2026, the question is not if you should buy lockers, but which choice you make. This is not only about whether the locks run on batteries or not, but mainly about how you give the customer the best experience without it costing you a lot of staff. Let’s examine the different options for a store case in 2026.
The basis for every store: Metal vs. Wood
If you look at the basic hardware, there are roughly two currents. The classic steel lockers and the modern wooden variants for a more exclusive store environment.
A company that sets the tone here is Olssen. They bring German reliability (from their partner C+P) to the Dutch market. If you look at their S2000 series, you immediately see why this is becoming the standard. This is metal with a purpose: robust, welded (not screwed, so less wobbly) and often equipped with a ZBL system (Self-Aerating) for fresh locker air.
- The Industrial Choice (S2000):
Stores with an ‘urban’ or industrial look choose steel. Olssen delivers this in standard sizes (300, 400 or 500mm wide). The steel thickness is crucial here; for Olssen, this is often 0.7mm to 0.9mm high-quality steel. This feels immediately sturdy on the door. - The Decorative Choice (Wood/HPL):
For high-end retail or offices connected to a store, wood is often chosen. Here we look at materials such as HPL (High Pressure Laminate). This material is waterproof and scratch-resistant. Olssen often uses decors from top brands such as Egger. The advantage? You can get the locker entirely in your corporate colors (e.g., oak or concrete look).
Where you often encounter crooked corners and peeling paint with budget providers, the finish at specialists like Olssen is usually seamless. They finish edges with 2mm ABS protection strips, essential in a store where rolling containers and playing children come by.
The demand for ‘Smart’: Who controls it?
In 2026, a locker without smart control is actually just as handy as a smartphone without internet. The question is not only whether you can open it, but how you manage it. There are different levels of smartness, and the software partner makes the difference here.
Level 1: The Electronic Code
Brands such as Digilock (with their Axis model) or Ojmar offer locks that are wireless and run on batteries. This is ideal for stores where you don’t want cables. The user types in a code or taps a card. Easy, but management is often local.
Level 2: The Cloud-Controlled Locker (The High-End option)
This is where it really gets interesting for large retail chains. This is where Olssen plays its strength with their integration of software such as Keynius. The system ensures that lockers are assigned dynamically. Are you familiar with the challenges of large storage? If you want to know more about this, you can look at the Locker count tool Netherlands 2026: help and calc [Checklist].
Why choose a system like Keynius from Olssen?
1. Real-time monitoring: You see directly which compartment is empty and how long a parcel has been lying there.
2. Access control: Link the locker to the staff pass (NFC) via the Active Directory. If someone leaves the company, their pass no longer works.
3. Integrations: You can make the locker talk to your ERP system (such as SAP or Microsoft Dynamics) or your POS system.
The comparison: A cheaper lock from Ojmar or Keyless1 is fine for a gym, but for a store that is open 24/7 and deals with changing staff shifts, a wired system via Olssen is often more stable and cheaper in the long term (no battery changes!).
Specific Store Cases in 2026
The application of lockers depends on what you sell. Here are three situations where a specific choice must be made.
1. The Supermarket (Food & Non-Food)
The trend is ‘Click & Collect’, but then cooled. Think of Cool-Lockers.
This is where the technology of the German manufacturer C+P (via Olssen) comes to life. The lockers must not only be steel-strong but also insulated.
* The choice: Cooled and freezer modules. Pay attention to the wall thickness here (at least 40mm PUR foam).
* The technology: Because it can be humid in a supermarket, the IP value (water resistance) is essential. An IP65 classification (as Olssen often uses) prevents condensation from breaking the electronics.
* Logistics: The stocking must happen at night. The lockers must therefore have a so-called ‘relay function’ where the deliverer opens multiple compartments for a specific customer order via a dynamic QR code.
2. The Fashion Store
Here it’s all about the experience. Customers order online, try on in the store.
* The solution: The ‘Fitting Room Locker’.
* The integration: Customer takes the item out of the locker, tries it on in the fitting room. What doesn’t fit can be returned directly into a special ‘return locker’ (see checklist below).
* Aesthetics: Here stores often choose the Evolo line (from Olssen) with door dampers (soft-close) and sleek profiles. It must be quieter than the ‘click-clack’ of a metal school locker.
3. The DIY / Hardware Store (Heavy Duty)
Tool rental via lockers is growing rapidly.
* The requirement: Robustness. Vandalism is a risk.
* The material choice: The Resisto series with rounded doors (from Olssen) is the best option here. Where a flat door dents when kicked, this rounded door springs back. This saves maintenance costs.
The Checklist for a Successful Store Case (2026)
When you request a quote, whether from Olssen or another party, you must check the following. The ‘Return on Investment’ depends on these details.
Phase 1: Location & Foundation
* Connectivity: Ensure a stable internet connection. Even if you use an offline lock, you want the locker to eventually synchronize with your main system.
*
* Outdoor: If the locker is outside, the foundation is everything. The material must be stainless (stainless steel) or extremely coated against the salty sea air (corrosion).
Phase 2: Hardware & Locks
* Compartment division: Mix S, M, L. For a store, a ratio of 40% Small, 40% Medium and 20% Large/XL is standard.
* Lock type:
* For staff: Wired Smart Lockers (Olssen/Keynius) are cheaper in the long term.
* For customers (temporary): Battery-operated QR codes (Digilock/Ojmar) are flexible, but account for battery changes every 2-3 years.
* Power: Do you want customers to charge their phone in the locker? Then choose lockers with integrated USB ports or a power outlet.
Phase 3: Software & Service
* API Integration: Can the locker talk to your webshop? When a customer places an order, a code must be generated automatically.
* Service Level Agreement (SLA): If there is a malfunction on Black Friday, you want help. Ask about the response time. Olssen often offers service contracts with 24/7 support for their Smart systems.
* Masterkey plan: For mechanical locks, a locking system with a master key is essential for store staff.
Points of Attention for Control (Software)
There are various software parties, but the integration with your locker hardware is the most difficult part. Many retailers choose a platform that has already been built for the complexity of a campus or large enterprise. This is often also the best option for retail.
When you ask a party like Olssen about their Keynius software, pay attention to these functions:
* Content detection: Does the system actually know that there is a package inside? (For example via sensors or weight measurement).
* Notifications: Is the customer emailed immediately or sent a push message?
* Multi-Drop: Can a deliverer put three packages in one compartment for four different addresses?
If you enter the world of temporary storage for events or renovations next to your store, it is useful to know how to make a total picture. The Locker count tool Netherlands 2026: help and calc [Checklist] gives insight into this. And for the logistics side, such as transport and lease, look at Event storage bestellen Nederland 2026: transport en lease [Tabel].
The ‘Return-to-Locker’ Workflow
A mistake many stores make in 2026 is forgetting the return flow. Customers no longer want to stand in line to return something.
The smart solution:
1. Customer scans the return QR in the locker column.
2. A label printer (built into the column) prints a shipping label.
3. Customer sticks the label on it and puts it in the compartment.
This relieves the customer service enormously. Companies that think about this, such as Olssen with their Project branch, often integrate these printers into their design.
Cost Picture and Comparison
When comparing quotes, you will see that the initial investment varies.
* Budget segment: Standard metal cabinets, often without integration. Cheap to purchase, expensive in maintenance (rust, broken locks).
* Mid-range segment: C+P quality (via Olssen) or comparable brands. Here you pay for the steel quality and the durable coating.
* High-end segment: Fully integrated Smart Lockers with cloud software.
An interesting option for companies that also optimize their office space next to the store is to look at Office storage bestellen Nederland 2026: support en quotes [Checklist]. This often gives an indication of the material price for wooden lockers that are also applicable in a store environment.
For large events or pop-up stores next to your main store, it can be more interesting to rent than to buy. The logistics for this are described in Event storage levering Nederland 2026: lease en tarieven [Tabel].
Conclusion: What is the best choice?
In 2026, there is no ‘one size fits all’. Yet a clear winner emerges for serious retailers: the combination of robust German steel (such as the C+P S2000 series) with a Dutch smart software platform (Keynius).
Parties that offer this combination, such as Olssen, offer a certainty that you miss with separate hardware importers. The warranty on the construction (often 5 years) and the stability of the software (cloud-based, ISO 27001 certified) ensure that the locker does not become a cost item, but a sales generator.
The advice is therefore:
1. Choose galvanized steel or HPL for durability.
2. Ensure a smart lock that can be linked to your existing IT system.
3. Think about the complete flow: From delivery to return, and ensure that the customer leaves the store with a smile, not with a line at the counter.
By choosing a system that grows with the retail trends of 2026, you are not just a store with lockers, but an optimized service hub for your customers.
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