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Delivery Plus Related Services

Milk box located close to the front door of a Shanghai home. The design (above) is commonly found in Chinese cities includes a door within a door - enabling independent access by both the owner and by the person delivering the milk. The milk box design below requires both the owner and the deliverer to have the same padlock key. But why have a box in the first place? In a culture of extended families - where it is likely that someone will be at home when the delivery is made, what purpose does it serve?

Are there lessons that apply to the design of any physical or electronic delivery service?

The physical presence of the box also serves as an advertisement for the delivery service. How long before eBay gives away drop-boxes for customers of their auction sites? In 6 years time, if such a box was available what other digital services could it support?

Related material: media delivery in Delhi and Seattle.

Writing from Shanghai | April 29, 2006 | Permalink