Allegro to Expand Parcel Locker Network by 2,500 Units in Poland in 2025

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Allegro, a prominent e-commerce firm, plans to expand its parcel locker network by 2,500 units in Poland in 2025, focusing on increasing its share of parcels delivered through its managed services. This move aligns with Allegro’s strategy to gain more control over its logistics and reduce delivery costs.

In a post-earnings interview, Allegro’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Jon Eastick, emphasized the company’s commitment to enhancing its managed delivery methods, which provide more flexibility and lower average prices as the network expands. In 2024, Allegro’s delivery costs increased by 22.9% to 2.84 billion zlotys ($736 million), prompting the company to look for more cost-effective solutions.

Over the past few years, Allegro has ramped up its investment in logistics, co-financing delivery services with merchants through its loyalty program and rolling out its own network of parcel lockers. The company added over 1,000 lockers in Poland last year, bringing its total to 4,500 lockers, with an additional 500 lockers in the Czech Republic. Allegro has also introduced a new delivery program that assumes full responsibility for the delivery process. Initially partnered with Orlen, the program will soon include DHL.

By the fourth quarter, 24% of the company’s parcel volumes were managed through Allegro’s own services, and with price adjustments in 2025, Allegro expects its parcel lockers to be more cost-effective than the most expensive third-party suppliers by the end of the year.

This significant increase in logistics investment came as a surprise to analysts at Trigon brokerage, who speculated that it could impact InPost, a parcel locker company with which Allegro has a seven-year partnership. The potential for Allegro to reduce its reliance on InPost in the future may affect InPost’s market share once the agreement expires in 2027.

Despite this, Eastick reassured that Allegro maintains strong relations with InPost, though it is exploring alternative, cost-efficient options for consumers. Following the news, InPost’s shares dropped by 5.9%.

India Plans to Limit Satellite Permits to Five Years, Challenging Musk’s Starlink

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India’s telecom regulator, TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India), is preparing to recommend limiting satellite broadband spectrum allocations to five years, despite Elon Musk’s Starlink pushing for a 20-year permit. This proposed policy aims to evaluate initial market adoption and adjust accordingly, a senior government source revealed.

Currently, TRAI is working on key recommendations regarding satellite spectrum, including time frames and pricing, to be presented to the Indian government. The government’s stance goes against Musk’s request for longer-term spectrum allocations to secure affordable pricing and longer-term business plans.

This decision comes on the heels of a partnership between Musk’s Starlink and Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, which will allow Starlink devices to be sold in Reliance stores, significantly increasing distribution access. Reliance and Musk’s Starlink had been rivals, with Ambani’s telco subsidiary previously lobbying for an auctioned spectrum rather than the administrative allotment Musk seeks.

While Starlink advocates for a 20-year license to focus on affordability and long-term growth, Ambani’s Reliance proposed a 3-year license followed by a reassessment of the market. Similarly, Airtel, another Indian telecom company, has called for a 3-5 year license period.

TRAI is inclined to adopt the 5-year licensing period, giving the industry time to evaluate market stability and allowing for future revisions of spectrum prices. A government official explained that this approach would help assess the sector’s growth while enabling pricing adjustments after the initial period.

The final recommendations, including the license duration and spectrum pricing, are expected within a month. The proposals will be submitted to India’s telecoms ministry for further review and action. However, Starlink’s distribution agreements with Reliance and Airtel depend on the company’s ability to secure regulatory approvals in India.

Industry forecasts show that India’s satellite communications sector could see substantial growth, with KPMG predicting a more than 10-fold increase, potentially reaching $25 billion by 2028.

Xiaomi’s YU7 Electric Crossover SUV to Compete with Tesla’s Model Y

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Xiaomi, the Chinese tech giant, is set to launch its first electric crossover SUV, YU7, with a driving range of up to 770 kilometers (478 miles), according to a government document released on Thursday. The YU7 is expected to hit the market this summer, positioning itself as a direct competitor to Tesla’s Model Y.

The YU7 will feature a battery-powered drivetrain combined with traditional crossover SUV characteristics. Along with the 770 km variant, Xiaomi will also offer shorter-range versions with 675 km and 760 km ranges. The vehicle has been added to a list of models that qualify for purchase tax breaks, as indicated in an industry ministry notice.

Tesla, which began deliveries of its refreshed Model Y in February, offers a long-range variant with a 719 km driving range per charge, up from 688 km in the previous version. Its rear-drive variant now offers a range of 593 km, a significant increase from its previous 554 km range.