Covid-19: Royal Mail reports huge increase in parcel deliveries since lockdown

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 22 May 2020, 13:36

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Nearly half (45%) of UK adults have been receiving more parcel deliveries since Covid-19 lockdown measures were introduced on 23 March, highlighting the surge in online purchasing during the pandemic. The survey by the Royal Mail also suggests that the trend towards online parcel ordering will continue after lockdown is lifted, with eight in 10 adults saying that their eCommerce spending and ordering will continue at same level or even increase after restrictions are eased.

The study found that over two-thirds of adults will continue both current levels of spend (66%) and the frequency (68%) they shop online post-lockdown, while 26% said they will increase their digital spend after restrictions are lifted. These findings add to the mounting evidence that the pandemic will permanently change consumer behaviour.

The research also revealed there was little difference between age groups in regard to this increase in parcel deliveries. While the biggest growth was observed in adults aged 18-34, at 52%, those aged 55+ were not far behind, at 43%. This indicates that older shoppers have become much more accustomed to online shopping during Covid-19.

The East of England was the region with the most number of consumers receiving more parcels since 23 March (53%), followed by Wales (48%), London (48%) and Yorkshire and the Humber (47%).

Shane O’Riordain, managing director of marketing, regulation & corporate affairs at Royal Mail commented: “Keeping the nation connected in these unprecedented times is of vital importance to us. It is perhaps unsurprising that for many customers, receiving an item that they have ordered online from our postmen and postwomen can really brighten up their day in such challenging times.”

Since the crisis started, a number of small and independent retailers have started selling online via existing eCommerce platforms for the first time. Earlier this month, eBay partnered with the Royal Mail and the Post Office to advise these retailers on how to trade online effectively during Covid-19.

Hepdog02 · Post by **Hepdog02** » 22 May 2020, 13:46

I wish that the RM would beef up its' information it releases. I bought an item on Ebay USA, my package arrived at NY Jamaica International Processing Centre on April 6th.....and it has disappeared. I tried to find out if the COVID-19 delays were USA side or UK side, or if customs in UK were affected and my package is sitting in a container awaiting sorting for customs inspection....but....no amount of online info requests, phone calls and even a snail mail contact got me anything other than a generic reply that delays in delivery are inevitable. I wish that there was a department inside RM that can get me a specific answer. I mean...how hard would it be. I mean is it normal these days for a standard airmail package to take nearly 40 working days to be delivered?

Post by **midegarelu** » 22 May 2020, 18:28

Noooooooooo

Mail volumes are down surely?

Perhaps now Rico has gone they are allowed to suggest that actually volumes have gone up - by at least 1 parcel a month.

hero22 · Post by **hero22** » 22 May 2020, 22:18

Shane O'Riordan should be the next top man to go as Royal Mails ability to advertise and connect with the public is shocking. As someone else above mentioned there seems to be inadequate information about a range of issues that the public experience. I know most days now someone stops me and asks about a lost parcel and you advise them to look at the website for help but they say its not much help. And with all this extra potential business in the future what are Management doing to garb it. ?

SW17 · Post by **SW17** » 26 May 2020, 20:56

No s*** sherlock

hero22 · Post by **hero22** » 28 May 2020, 13:41

SW17 wrote:No s*** sherlock

Did you feel like a big man when writing this ?

SW17 · Post by **SW17** » 28 May 2020, 14:01

What to the fact that parcel volumes have gone up, yes actually I did.

hero22 · Post by **hero22** » 28 May 2020, 20:31

SW17 wrote:What to the fact that parcel volumes have gone up, yes actually I did.

I thought ur no s**t Sherlock comment was directed at me. If not I apologise.

Tannan2468 · Post by **Tannan2468** » 29 May 2020, 17:08

I can’t believe this has been posted up,I have been waiting over 10 days for 7 items that I have ordered,all of which where on 48hrs and all tracking information is not working.called the call centre and got told on the 10th of June the sender can claim as they are then marked as lost,I then asked can you check the tracking numbers and yes he can ??? They are in Warrington sorting office,been there for 9 days as they have staffing problems at Huyton sorting office,he advised that daily post will arrive letters ect,I then made him aware we have not received any post from Royal Mail and the only delivery’s I was getting on time was from dpd ect, I think that said it all Royal Mail has been well was in the history books as the pride of Britain WHAT HAS HAPPENED.

Pumpernickel · Post by **Pumpernickel** » 29 May 2020, 18:31

Tannan2468 wrote:I can’t believe this has been posted up,I have been waiting over 10 days for 7 items that I have ordered,all of which where on 48hrs and all tracking information is not working.called the call centre and got told on the 10th of June the sender can claim as they are then marked as lost,I then asked can you check the tracking numbers and yes he can ??? They are in Warrington sorting office,been there for 9 days as they have staffing problems at Huyton sorting office,he advised that daily post will arrive letters ect,I then made him aware we have not received any post from Royal Mail and the only delivery’s I was getting on time was from dpd ect, I think that said it all Royal Mail has been well was in the history books as the pride of Britain WHAT HAS HAPPENED.

There is a global pandemic. You will find information on the news from time to time.

We have:

Staff sick.
Staff self isolating.
Staff shielding (themselves and others).
General shortage of staff and no capacity to train anyone "new" (not that there is anyone new as recruitment is on hold due to lack of assessment and training capacity).
Shortage of sorting staff (especially for manual sorts which requires knowledge, but also shortage of machine ops).
Staff covering 2 rounds solo (social distancing means no 2 person teams in a van).
Shortage of vans.
Sortage of workspace.

We also have:

An over abundance of parcels that are flooding sorting centres and delivery offices day in, day out. Some of these come from competitors who offload to us as they cannot cope.
Staff that are doing everything in their power to get whatever mail and parcels they can deliver, delivered.
There is only so much that people can do, however there seems no limit on how much people will buy.

I would say that a 10 day wait is unfortunate, but under the current circumstances no more than that.
I would also ask for a bit more patience.

hero22 · Post by **hero22** » 29 May 2020, 21:48

Tannan2468 wrote:I can’t believe this has been posted up,I have been waiting over 10 days for 7 items that I have ordered,all of which where on 48hrs and all tracking information is not working.called the call centre and got told on the 10th of June the sender can claim as they are then marked as lost,I then asked can you check the tracking numbers and yes he can ??? They are in Warrington sorting office,been there for 9 days as they have staffing problems at Huyton sorting office,he advised that daily post will arrive letters ect,I then made him aware we have not received any post from Royal Mail and the only delivery’s I was getting on time was from dpd ect, I think that said it all Royal Mail has been well was in the history books as the pride of Britain WHAT HAS HAPPENED.

R u a postie ?

Woody Guthrie · Post by **Woody Guthrie** » 21 Jun 2020, 21:21

hero22 wrote:Shane O'Riordan should be the next top man to go ...

You got your wish.
He's gone.

Post by **aiden01** » 21 Jun 2020, 21:43

Woody Guthrie wrote:
hero22 wrote:Shane O'Riordan should be the next top man to go ...
You got your wish.
He's gone.

And won't be sadly missed