Amazon has carried out an unprecedented physical expansion during the coronavirus pandemic as homebound consumers have sought to have supplies delivered to their doorstep. While its hundreds of vast suburban fulfillment centers still make up the largest chunk of its physical footprint in the U.S., openings of smaller facilities—delivery stations that operate like local post offices just for Amazon packages—have increased more rapidly.

Since March, the number of Amazon delivery stations in the U.S. has surged 71% to 278, outflanking the expansion in the number of fulfillment centers and other distribution facilities, according to data provided to The Information by consulting firm MWPVL International. By the end of this year, that number will rise to about 415, MWPVL estimates. The expansion of these smaller facilities, which use contract drivers instead of the U.S. Postal Service to pick up and deliver packages, could reduce revenue Amazon pays to the struggling postal agency and change the type of workers Amazon needs.