###### Abstract  
Pick-up points (PUPs) have become a very attractive alternative for conventional home deliveries due to the growth of e-commerce. This paper investigates the level of satisfaction of the students (Gen Z) as well as the research, teaching, and administrative staff of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Greece, and the University of Enna \"Kore\", Italy, implemented in November 2023. Optimizing the PUP users' satisfaction is contingent upon various aspects, including but not limited to location accessibility, expedient pick-up procedures, unambiguous communication, and ensured item availability. The research recorded information about the users' knowledge about the specific service, their level of satisfaction, their preferences on when and how they use the service, and information about the types of goods they order using the PUPs as their point of collection. The analysis of the collected data revealed very interesting findings that could be useful to the providers of this service, especially when taking into consideration that the majority of the poll's participants are familiar with the existence of the PUPs in the Municipality of Thessaloniki, that they use this service mainly occasionally, and that the majority are quite pleased with the level of the provided services (accessibility, availability, safety, and security). For the case of Enna in Sicily, similar trends are shown: a high percentage of respondents are familiar with PUPs, and they use pick-up points occasionally and are pleased with the provided level of service. The comparative statistical analysis makes it possible to compare two contexts located in areas of the Mediterranean, i.e., two urban areas with different population sizes but with similar habits on the part of the university student cluster. pick-up points; level of satisfaction; last mile delivery; questionnaire-based poll; Greece; Italy 13 October 20241 November 2  
with technology and the internet as integral parts of their daily lives. Their preference for convenience, efficiency, and environmentally friendly options drives them towards innovative shopping solutions like pick-up points. This generation's comfort with digital platforms and their demand for instant gratification further bolster the adoption of such alternatives in the e-commerce sector [5]. Pick-up points represent a paradigm shift in e-commerce fulfillment, as they provide, among other things, the ability to discover a coveted item online, finalize the purchase with a few clicks, and, instead of waiting days for a delivery that might not always fit someone's schedule, choose to collect it from a designated location near her/his work or home. This seemingly simple concept, however, has far-reaching implications, altering the e-commerce landscape for both retailers and consumers. The increase in home deliveries of goods ordered online has led to an increase in urban logistics facilities, including pick-up point. A study conducted in Belgium highlights the need to make the movement of users to/from these pickup and drop-off points more eco-friendly, while calling on urban governments to facilitate the use of these multi-operator pick-up point by providing and/or improving supporting infrastructure as well as safeguarding dedicated spaces in urban plans [6]. The appeal of pick-up points is multifaceted. Retailers benefit from potentially reduced delivery costs by consolidating deliveries to designated locations. This translates to potential savings that can be passed on to customers or reinvested in other areas of the business. Additionally, PUPs can lead to increased sales. Furthermore, physical pick-up locations can provide valuable opportunities for customer interaction, potentially leading to upselling or strengthening brand loyalty. For consumers, PUPs offer a multitude of advantages, such as the freedom of choosing a location that fits a person's busy schedule and eliminating the need to wait at home for deliveries or deal with missed parcels.