The parcel locker revolution is entering its next high-stakes chapter. Shares in InPost SA, the Polish logistics giant that has become a fixture of European e-commerce, soared 28% on Jan 6 following news of a multi-billion euro takeover proposal.

The move marks a potential "homecoming" for the company’s former owners and a dramatic pivot for a stock that struggled throughout much of 2025.

The Players and the Price

On Jan 6, InPost confirmed it had received an indicative proposal to acquire all outstanding shares of the company. While the initial announcement kept the suitor’s identity under wraps, reports quickly pointed to a powerful consortium led by Advent International.

• The Consortium: Advent is reportedly in deep discussions with InPost’s founder and CEO, Rafal Brzoska, and the Czech investment group PPF (controlled by billionaire Renata Kellnerova).
• The Leverage: This is no hostile raid. Together, these three parties already control approximately 47.7% of the company.
• The Valuation: Market sources suggest the offer values InPost at over €6 billion

Why Now? An "Opportunistic" Strike

Analysts are describing the bid as classic "opportunistic" timing. Despite InPost’s massive physical expansion, the company’s market value took a significant hit in 2025. InPost’s shares plummeted 37% last year, bottoming out in November 2025. This decline was fueled by investor anxiety over the massive capital expenditure required for the company’s UK expansion, which led to a downgraded earnings outlook.

For Advent and PPF, the current valuation likely represents a "mispriced" asset with a dominant infrastructure that is difficult to replicate.

The Growth Engine: The UK Market

While Poland is InPost's heart, the UK is its growth engine. Over the past 18 months, InPost has effectively "muscled in" on the British delivery landscape, positioning itself as the tech-forward alternative to Royal Mail. By acquiring Yodel and Menzies Distribution, InPost transformed from a simple locker provider into a fully integrated logistics powerhouse in the UK.

The locker system has become a favourite for users of resale platforms like Vinted and eBay, driving a 156% year-on-year increase in UK parcel volumes during the last reported period.

What Happens Next?

InPost has established a special committee of supervisory and management board members to evaluate the proposal. For now, the company has cautioned that "there can be no assurance" that the indicative offer will lead to a binding transaction.

If the deal goes through, it would represent one of the largest private equity-led logistics buyouts in Europe this decade, pulling a vital piece of e-commerce infrastructure off the public markets at a pivotal moment in its growth.