Online shopping boom makes parcels worth the weight

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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THE boom in online retailing has seen postal outlets run off their feet dealing with an increase in parcels.

Some outlets, which are licensed to deliver Australia Post packages, say they are running out of places to store the items that can't be delivered first time around because recipients aren't home when posties call.

The boom in eBay and international online sales, spurred on by the strong Aussie dollar, has led to Occupational Health and Safety concerns for workers handling large numbers of parcels.

Post Office Agents Association Ltd chief executive Ian Kerr said the added workload of dealing with more parcels was putting pressure on the licensees, particularly in metropolitan areas.

POAAL represents up to 3000 licensed post offices across Australia.

Licensed post offices make up about 75 per cent of the postal network.

"This problem is not unique to Australia. All over the world postal services are trying to figure out how to get parcels to their customers," Mr Kerr said.

Mr Kerr said in the short term Australia Post had given outlets hand-held scanners to help them process parcels.

"Longer-term solutions include giving customers more delivery choices to help increase first-time delivery success, or installing parcel delivery lockers at convenient locations," he said.

A trial in Sydney has just finished in which undeliverable goods, known as carded parcels because recipients are left with a card to tell them to pick it up, were sent to a mail distribution centre in St Leonards.

Recipients could collect them over 24 hours Monday to Friday and from 8am to 3pm Saturday and 10am to 2pm on Sundays.

The results of the survey are still being assessed.

Mr Kerr said instead of going to their local post office the recipients had to go to the mail centre.

Mr Kerr said it was a balancing act to service the customer and not disadvantage the postal agents. People picking up goods may make other discretionary purchases at the outlets.

He said his association was having constructive talks with Australia Post.

[POSTMAN]

No giving the stuff to neighbours consultation then?