The pandemic super‑charged online shopping, and the last mile. The final stretch between a distribution hub and a customer’s home has become the bottleneck of modern logistics. New York City exemplifies the problem.
According to the NYC government, 80 % of households receive at least one delivery per week and 20 % receive four or more(nyc.gov). With millions of deliveries pouring into narrow hallways and lobby‑less walk‑ups, packages are stacked in vestibules or left on stoops. Inevitably, many vanish. The NYC Department of Transportation notes that about 90 000 packages are reported stolen or lost in transit every day, an astonishing figure that translates to tens of millions of missing items per year in one city alone.
Package theft is not confined to New York. The U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) estimates at least 58 million packages were stolen nationwide in 2024(uspsoig.gov), causing significant financial losses and eroding trust in e‑commerce.
SafeWise’s 2024 Package Theft Report found that package thieves, or “porch pirates” cost Americans nearly US$16 billion in 2023 and snatched about 120.5 million packages. New York City topped the list of worst metro areas, with roughly US$945 million in losses and nearly six in ten households targeted. These figures illustrate that the last mile is now a weak link in the supply chain.
Beyond statistics lie human stories. Stowfly’s blog highlights a Chelsea resident who lost two packages, including a rare, irreplaceable item, in just two weeks. On Reddit, New Yorkers vent frustration about missed deliveries and “sorry we missed you” slips despite being home.
SafeWise notes that Cleveland saw nearly 1 400 thefts per 1 000 households, and New York recorded over 9.2 million theft incidents in 2023. Such anecdotes underscore the emotional toll of porch piracy: disappointment, lost money and the feeling of violation.
Fortunately, a wave of service and infrastructure innovations, from Stowfly’s package drop-off and storage network to citywide package lockers is rising to meet the challenge.
This article unpacks how these systems work, examines data and customer feedback, and explores the interplay of NYC storage pickup, pickup and delivery, package receiving service, package drop-off, and package lockers as part of a more secure, efficient future of last-mile delivery in New York.
Luxury buildings often employ doormen or have dedicated package rooms, but these amenities are rare in older walk‑ups. Many multiunit buildings in New York lack storage space or staff, leading to overwhelmed mailrooms and packages left in unsecured hallways.
Even buildings with staff face package overload, misplacement and delays during busy periods. Carrier‑specific solutions, such as UPS access points or FedEx “hold at location,” only help when the parcel belongs to that carrier. They also impose strict pick‑up hours and often require traveling to distant depots.
Package lockers have emerged as a popular alternative. Amazon Lockers and UPS Access Points allow customers to collect packages at their convenience, and they are widely available in supermarkets, pharmacies and apartment complexes.
However, they are often limited to specific carriers and can fill up quickly during peak seasons. Smart lockers are also expensive to install and maintain, may limit the size of parcels and have sometimes been hacked or vandalized. During holidays, delivery agents may dump multiple packages into one locker to save time, negating the security benefits and causing confusion for recipients.
In April 2024, the NYC Department of Transportation launched LockerNYC, a pilot network of public parcel lockers on sidewalks. The program began with seven locker units, each holding about 25 packages and accepting deliveries from multiple carriers. By September 2025, the city announced plans to expand the program to around 70 locker locations across several boroughs The lockers operate 24 hours, use cameras and LED lighting for security, and notify recipients via email or SMS with a unique code. The goal is to reduce package theft, limit delivery truck traffic and cut emissions(nyc.gov).
While LockerNYC is promising, it faces challenges. Each locker bank holds a limited number of packages, so capacity could be quickly overwhelmed in dense neighborhoods. Not all residents are willing or able to walk to sidewalk lockers, especially in bad weather or late at night.
The system requires users to reserve slots in advance, and it is not designed for oversized items. High implementation costs and space constraints also limit the rapid roll‑out of locker banks.
Stowfly offers a package receiving service that converts local shops and cafés into micro‑warehouses for online deliveries. Customers select a nearby Stowfly location, buy a plan and use that address as their shipping address. When parcels arrive, the store holds them until the customer picks them up using a unique PIN code. This model leverages unused space in businesses, such as convenience stores, coffee shops or print shops, and provides them with additional revenue and foot traffic.
Stowfly’s network spans over 1 000 locations in more than 65 cities and has earned a 4.8 out of 5 rating from more than 500 reviewers. A 30‑day free trial enables customers to test the service.
Basic subscription plans cost US$7.50 per month and include up to five packages, while premium plans cost US$15 per month for up to 15 packages. Each plan includes US$1 000 in insurance and packages can weigh up to 50 lb (about 23 kg) and measure 2 × 2 × 2 ft (0.6 m cubes).
Customer testimonials reveal how the service alleviates stress and saves money.
New Yorker Jaegger Pendoley said he used to have most of his packages stolen but now sends them to a Stowfly location, which has saved him over US$500 during the holiday season. More details on stowfly.com.
Peyton James described Stowfly as a “game changer” because her building’s lobby thefts stopped once she used the service.
Erzen Krivca appreciated that the anxiety around deliveries vanished when he switched to Stowfly.
Terrance Ellis highlighted convenience, noting that pickups fit into his schedule and prevented missed drop‑offs.
Reviews on Stowfly’s site provide further insight.
Cori Crowley called the service “a godsend,” explaining that all her packages had been stolen before and that Stowfly offered a nearby shipping location and seamless process.
A Stowfly user who lives in a brownstone, noted that packages used to be left on her stairs and stolen, once even medication for her cat. She says Stowfly brought peace of mind.
Another reviewer said the service was “very easy and reliable,” even while traveling. These firsthand accounts demonstrate that community‑powered storage is addressing a real pain point.
Both package lockers and Stowfly’s package storage model aim to prevent theft and missed deliveries, but they differ in implementation and user experience.
| Feature | Package lockers (e.g., LockerNYC, Amazon Locker) | Stowfly package drop‑off & pickup service |
| Carrier support | Often limited to a single carrier or require separate lockers for UPS, FedEx and USPS. LockerNYC accepts multiple carriers but capacity is limited. | Accepts packages from any carrier (Amazon, UPS, FedEx, USPS, DHL etc.).
|
| Location & accessibility | Lockers are installed at supermarkets, pharmacies or sidewalks. Users must travel to them; capacity may be limited; installation requires space. | Uses existing local businesses (coffee shops, convenience stores) across 65+ cities. Customers choose a location near home or work. |
| Capacity & package size | Standard lockers hold small to medium parcels; large or heavy items may not fit. LockerNYC units hold ~25 packages. | Each location can accept parcels up to 2 ft × 2 ft × 2 ft and 50 lb. Because packages are stored in shops, space is more flexible. |
| Security & oversight | Electronic locks; recipients use codes or barcodes. Some lockers have cameras and LED lighting. However, unattended lockers can be hacked or vandalized. | Staffed locations; recipients must show a unique pick-up PIN for retrieval; human oversight reduces misplacement. Packages are insured up to US$1 000. |
| Cost to consumers | Free for Amazon Lockers; LockerNYC is free during the pilot(nyc.gov); private lockers often have subscription | Monthly plan: US$7.50 for 5 packages, US$15 for 15 packages with a one‑month free trial. |
| Ease of use | Users must designate lockers at checkout and sometimes reserve space. Large items or perishable goods are difficult. | Users set a Stowfly address once and use it with any retailer; no reservation needed. Pickup within a 7‑day window; plan covers multiple deliveries. |
Consolidating deliveries at lockers or community hubs can significantly cut traffic and emissions. NYC hopes LockerNYC will reduce idling trucks and double parking. Studies in other cities suggest that centralized pick‑up points lower delivery time and idling by over 30 %. Stowfly’s package receiving NYC network accomplishes similar efficiencies by clustering deliveries at local businesses, reducing the number of missed or repeated delivery attempts.
By partnering with shops, cafés and dry cleaners, Stowfly provides an additional revenue stream, usually a commission per package for local entrepreneurs. It also increases foot traffic, which may lead to impulse purchases. In an era when e‑commerce threatens brick‑and‑mortar retail, such partnerships can reinvigorate neighborhoods.
Lockers installed on sidewalks may not be accessible to those with mobility issues or residents who live far from the locker sites. Stowfly’s model offers more flexibility: customers can choose a nearby business that fits their schedule and physical needs. Additionally, Stowfly accepts deliveries from any online retailer, making it particularly useful for people who shop with small businesses or independent e‑commerce sites that do not deliver to proprietary locker networks.
Package theft isn’t just about financial loss, it creates stress and distrust. Testimonials show that Stowfly users regain peace of mind. A delighted Stowfly customer said she was relieved to know her cat’s medication would not be stolen. Jaegger Pendoley emphasized the value of not having to chase down stolen goods. These stories highlight how secure storage pickup can restore confidence in online shopping.
As e‑commerce continues to grow, the last mile will remain an essential focus for cities and logistics providers. The surge of thefts and traffic congestion indicates a need for integrated solutions.
Government programs like LockerNYC help centralize deliveries, reduce emissions and provide free public infrastructure. However, they require significant investment and may not scale quickly enough.
Private solutions like Stowfly illustrate how micro‑warehousing through local businesses can fill gaps left by lockers and building doormen. By offering affordable subscription plans, high insurance coverage and human oversight, Stowfly reduces theft and missed deliveries, while strengthening neighborhood economies. Customer testimonials show that the service is appreciated not just for logistics but for peace of mind.
The future likely involves hybrid models: smart lockers in high‑traffic areas to serve dense populations, community‑powered package pickup points like Stowfly for flexibility, and improved building design with secure mailrooms. Data analytics can help optimize locker placement and route deliveries efficiently.
Collaboration among cities, carriers and private services will be critical to ensure fair access and minimize environmental impact. For consumers, the message is clear: as online shopping remains a fixture of modern life, using secure package drop‑off and storage pickup services is no longer optional, it’s a smart way to protect your purchases and support your community.