Web deliveries rise as mail sent by consumers falls

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/ho ... 13478.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



The amount of mail sent by consumers has more than halved in the past six years, but internet shopping has fuelled an increase in the number of packets and parcels being delivered, according to a new study.

Research by postal regulator Ofcom also showed support for a single class of delivery, less expensive than first class and delivered in two days.

A survey of 4,000 residential consumers showed the average number of items sent each week has fallen from around 3.5 to 1.5, with the trend expected to continue in the coming years.

More than a third of residents received a packet or parcel at least once a month, up from 27% in 2010, and half predict they will order more goods on the internet.

A separate poll of 1,100 businesses showed that two thirds of mail they sent was first class.

Most of the residents and businesses said greetings cards, packets and parcels will always have to be sent by post, while virtually everyone described the level of service as acceptable.

Suggested improvements to Royal Mail's parcel delivery service included changes to office opening times, improved tracking services, and the ability to choose a delivery time-slot.

Billy Hayes, general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, said: "This research clearly shows the value that people put on the post and highlights growth areas for consumers who predict they will increasingly rely on postal services for the delivery of parcels and online purchases.

"We want to see innovation, not cuts, in order to maintain and improve service standards."

[arnold cheshire]

and the ability to choose a delivery time-slot.

"can you imagine that " ???? nightmare

[Pinky 1]

and the ability to choose a delivery time-slot.

"can you imagine that " ???? nightmare

This is already happening with parcels carried by DPD. They even emailed me (must have got the address from the company i was using) and told me when the parcel would arrive, within the hour. This was on a 'free delivery' item

[arnold cheshire]

and the ability to choose a delivery time-slot.

"can you imagine that " ???? nightmare

This is already happening with parcels carried by DPD. They even emailed me (must have got the address from the company i was using) and told me when the parcel would arrive, within the hour. This was on a 'free delivery' item

i dont care about DPD they dont have to do massive walk and loads of packets

[Hitcher]

And they don't deliver letters.

[arnold cheshire]

And they don't deliver letters.

yes a massive walk involves letters and small packets then large packets on the massive walk and large packets on walkers walks

[subbie]

Richard Hooper highlighted the rise in packet post and the decline in flat letters etc a few years ago. How come Royal Mail and POL have failed to address this growth area, and use each others Networks to ensure that the competition don't get a look in with the end to end packet and e-commerce market?

The trouble with packets is that someone has to be in to receive and or sign for the items. So why not make Post Offices the default place of delivery of such items of mail, customers would know which PO branch has taken their items in, and the customer can collect their items on their way home from work, obviously if the PO Branch has to be open later hours then this needs paying for, and this is where the current system falls over cos RM and POL are too tight fisted to pay for this valuable service that the PO network could offer, so others step in and fill the gap in the market, but even they cannot offer a network the size and reach that we have. Customers will pay for convenience, so we should not be frightened of telling customers we will deliver your item to X PO, you can collect it between X hours and there will be a fee payable locally to the host of £X.

Subbie

[Phantom]

and the ability to choose a delivery time-slot.

"can you imagine that " ???? nightmare

Simple! Go back to early deliveries when people were in before they went to work, problem solved! - But thats too easy, so we'll make it a lot harder to deliver goods for customers and thats where we are now!

[SpacePhoenix]

and the ability to choose a delivery time-slot.

"can you imagine that " ???? nightmare

Simple! Go back to early deliveries when people were in before they went to work, problem solved! - But thats too easy, so we'll make it a lot harder to deliver goods for customers and thats where we are now!

No chance, not enough mail would be available to be delivered so they'd probably either have all delivery staff doing collections as well or axe jobs

[FairyFoot]

They've surveyed the wrong people! Most of my friends send/receive nice post. Although I have slowed down this year in sending postcards.... I continue to send (and receive) nice letters. When was the last time you sent a friend/family a postcard/letter ?
The German Post service has a website to find penfriends.

Will Prince Charles consider sending government ministers emails?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

They've surveyed the wrong people!

I agree. However, I wonder if they used the old adage of don't ask a question if you don't know the answer and adapted it to "Ask the right people the right question to get the answer you need"