Autumn 2008

ByBox has started the roll-out of its consumer-focused intelligent drop-box system, as predicted in the exclusive preview of the system in our last issue (F&E, issue 48).

At that time ByBox revealed that it was working with BT to develop hybrid box bank/phone box assemblies that could be placed in high-profile public locations, serving as pickup points for consumer goods ordered online.

Now the two organisations have formally announced their plan to work together on the project, and ByBox says it has submitted planning applications for an initial tranche of 50 box banks, predominantly in commuter towns around London.

The box banks will be at well-trafficked consumer locations such as high streets and railway stations. A batch has already been built, and the first is expected to appear in the next few weeks in Bedford. Others should quickly follow.

 

ByBox wants to install up to 300 boxes in the full initial stage, and up to 1,000 eventually.

We understand that ByBox has started talks with key retailers about allowing consumers the option of specifying a box bank as their delivery point when ordering good online.

* ByBox has maintained a ranking in this year's Tech Track 100 table published by the Sunday Times and sponsored by Microsoft. Its growth rate was 42.64 per cent.