Chances are, if you’re reading this digital article, then you’ve ordered something online. A lot of you have purchased something online within the past week. Some of us have ordered things online today and some of the packages may even be sitting in a digital locker system awaiting your retrieval.

According to a recent study from Forrester Research Inc., online retail sales in the U.S. are expected to increase 49.7 percent from $334 billion (2015) to nearly $500 billion (2019).

Today’s consumer is increasingly turning away from brick-and-mortar stores and shopping online, and with that comes an increased expectation when it comes to package delivery from retailers and e-tailers. Consequently, businesses strive to keep up in an increasingly competitive market.

To challenge big online brands like Amazon and eBay, brick-and-mortar retailers are creating their own online shops and turning to delivery and pickup alternatives to compete while also cutting costs.

How, then, are these smaller businesses competing with online giants? More and more online retailers and e-tailers are investing in intelligent lockers to beat the last-mile delivery problem – all while making it faster, safer and more accessible to the consumer.

A digital locker system benefits small businesses because it is a smart, secure way to store those packages, but also convenient to the consumer when they are ready to pick up their package. An added bonus: It drives foot traffic to their store. During a time when showrooming is becoming more popular (or when someone shops in-store and then actually purchases online), the added benefit of in-store foot traffic means that smaller businesses benefit from in-person sales, online sales and a decrease in the expense to package and ship the item to the consumer.

Condo and apartment complexes, dorms and school-based housing, and businesses alike are also benefiting from locker systems by improving their package delivery experience. Even traditional malls are getting in on the action. After the transformation from warehouses of retail stores to centers of experiences with game areas, fitness centers, bars and amusement arenas, malls are now becoming a location of choice for locker systems as consumers look for ideal places to enjoy their lives and still pick up their packages.

Digital locker systems provide a safe and secure place where packages can be managed without significant amounts of time invested by management staff – a location open 24/7 for residents to retrieve their packages whenever it’s most convenient for them.