Royal Mail to deliver your parcels on a SUNDAY in bid to dominate the online shopping battleground

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mar ... -boom.html

Bosses have drawn up 'road map' that could build its Sunday proposition tenfold
Group hails plan a 'revolution' similar to the end of Sunday trading restrictions
It would mark end of waiting for parcels to arrive until after weekend

Royal Mail is paving the way to its first full-scale Sunday parcel delivery service as it enters a fierce battle with rivals.

Bosses have drawn up a 'road map' that could build its Sunday proposition tenfold in an effort to put the 506-year-old business at the forefront of weekend online shopping.

The group has hailed the plan a 'revolution' similar to the end of Sunday trading restrictions for shops in the 1990s. It would also mark an end to the frustration of waiting days for parcels to arrive until after the weekend.

'We are seeing clear demand for this from consumers.

'The world of physical retail has had seven-day shopping for the past 30 years. We see that opportunity for online shopping and deliveries,' he said.

If demand meets expectations, Royal Mail will double the number of Sunday deliveries by the end of the year as part of the acceleration of the programme. 'What we are doing today is to make sure we can deliver the scale. If more people want to use it, we can build it from there,' he said. 'We are trying to open up this capability for every business, every consumer.

'So, for us, this is the start of a revolution. This is our road map to Sunday being a full delivery day. It won't happen overnight. But this is the first step.'

Landon said the plan initially includes its Tracked 24 'next day' service. But Sunday deliveries could then be offered as part of its other services as demand accelerates – including its two-day and Special Delivery parcels, he said. Royal Mail's share price has fallen 38 per cent so far this year to £3.24 as revenues plateaued and profits contracted. There are concerns rising that fuel and labour costs could squeeze margins further.


The former State-owned company is currently in heated negotiations with unions over pay.

Its offer – a 5.5 per cent pay rise if targets and conditions are met – is opposed by the Communication Workers Union.

The union wants a 'no strings' pay rise in line with inflation – now expected to hit 10 per cent by the end of the year If no agreement is found by the end of this month, the CWU says it will call a strike ballot. A strike would be the first in almost a decade. Royal Mail has also asked workers to commit to Sunday shifts to cater for the new service.

Landon said that he was not part of the negotiating team on pay, but he added that 'the current roll-out has been agreed with unions'.

The pressure Royal Mail faces on costs has attracted interest from 'short sellers' over recent months – investors betting that the share price will fall. But Royal Mail shares could find support from its largest shareholder, billionaire Daniel Kretinsky. He holds 21 per cent of the stock.

Landon said the Sunday delivery plan so far did not include letters, but added: 'I never say never on anything. I won't say no to expanding this to other services if I can see a market demand. To some extent, this is, 'If you build it, they will come.'

'As we open this up to all retailers, eventually, that will allow us to access about ten times the volume we're processing for Sunday deliveries.'

[qwerty2]

“Sunday delivery plan so far did not include letters, but added: 'I never say never on anything. I won't say no to expanding this to other services if I can see a market demand.”

Surprise surprise two faced b*******

[matthew68]

“Sunday delivery plan so far did not include letters, but added: 'I never say never on anything. I won't say no to expanding this to other services if I can see a market demand.”

Surprise surprise two faced b*******

Yes and also do away with Sunday premium, it just gets better doesn’t it

[Mr Rush]

I never ever thought I would miss those ancient times when Sunday was the most boring day of the week because everything was closed and there was nothing to do. Thanks everyone.

[Marshamp11]

“Sunday delivery plan so far did not include letters, but added: 'I never say never on anything. I won't say no to expanding this to other services if I can see a market demand.”

Surprise surprise two faced b*******

In reality half of our letter deliveries don't go out during a week day so thinking about Sunday delivery of letters is pie in the sky.

[qwerty2]

“Sunday delivery plan so far did not include letters, but added: 'I never say never on anything. I won't say no to expanding this to other services if I can see a market demand.”

Surprise surprise two faced b*******

In reality half of our letter deliveries don't go out during a week day so thinking about Sunday delivery of letters is pie in the sky.

Bet you when we’re FORCED to work Sundays anything left in on a Saturday they will make us go out with it!!!