In a move within the European logistics industry, Polish parcel locker operator InPost has acquired a 95.5% stake in UK-based parcel delivery company Yodel. This acquisition, finalized in April 2025, was structured as a debt-to-equity conversion, wherein InPost transformed a £106 million loan to Yodel’s parent company, Judge Logistics Ltd, into equity. The transaction, including debt refinancing, is valued at approximately £136 million. London-listed PayPoint retains a 4.5% minority stake in the company
Company Profiles
Founded in 2006, InPost is a Polish logistics company specializing in automated parcel lockers and out-of-home (OOH) delivery solutions. Headquartered in Kraków, InPost operates across multiple European countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Spain. The company went public on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange in January 2021, raising €2.8 billion. InPost’s services are designed to offer convenient and sustainable delivery options, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions through its extensive network of parcel lockers.
Yodel, established in the UK, is an independent parcel carrier providing a range of delivery services, including home delivery and OOH options. Prior to the acquisition, Yodel faced financial challenges, particularly following its separation from the Barclay family’s corporate interests. Despite these difficulties, Yodel maintained a significant presence in the UK logistics market, employing approximately 10,000 people and handling substantial parcel volumes annually.
Strategic Implications of the Acquisition
The acquisition positions InPost as the third-largest independent logistics provider in the UK, with an estimated 8% market share, trailing only Royal Mail and Evri. This strategic move significantly expands InPost’s operational capacity, enabling the handling of approximately 300 million parcels annually and serving over 700 e-commerce retailers. The integration of Yodel’s home delivery services with InPost’s parcel locker network aims to offer a comprehensive delivery solution, enhancing customer convenience and operational efficiency.
InPost’s CEO, Rafał Brzoska, emphasized that the acquisition accelerates the company’s UK expansion strategy by five years and is expected to positively impact earnings within a year. The deal also secures the jobs of Yodel’s workforce, earning commendation from labor unions.
Industry Impact Analysis
The consolidation of InPost and Yodel is poised to reshape the UK logistics landscape. By combining InPost’s extensive parcel locker infrastructure with Yodel’s established home delivery network, the merged entity can offer a versatile delivery model catering to diverse consumer preferences. This integration is particularly relevant given the growing demand for OOH delivery options and the surge in customer-to-customer (C2C) commerce, which has seen a 200% increase in volumes over the past two years.
Furthermore, the acquisition reflects a broader trend of vertical integration within the logistics sector, as companies seek to control more aspects of the supply chain to enhance service reliability and cost efficiency. InPost’s move aligns with its previous acquisition of Menzies Distribution in October 2024, further consolidating its logistics operations in the UK
InPost’s acquisition of Yodel represents a strategic expansion that not only strengthens its position in the UK market but also exemplifies the evolving dynamics of the logistics industry, where integrated service offerings and technological innovation are becoming increasingly critical for competitive advantage.