Australia Post prepares for over 52 million Christmas deliveries

Having already passed the Christmas deadline for standard delivery, Australia Post is racing to deliver up to 52 million parcels before Christmas. The deadline for express deliveries is next Monday, December 19 (December 14 for WA and NT).

Last year, Australia Post managed delivery of 52 million parcels in the month of December. According to Gary Starr,  Executive General Manager at Australia Post, capacity in the network had been increased to meet further demand. “We’ve recruited around 6000 seasonal casuals which I think is the biggest number we have had,” he said. “Our total parcel processing capability grew by 2.5 million parcels per week this year, we added sites in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne.”

With less than two weeks to go until Christmas, retailers are encouraging Aussies to plan their final shopping items this week to avoid last-minute stress and disappointment. With only 12 shopping days to go until Christmas, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is encouraging customers to make their way to stores.

ARA CEO Paul Zahra said normal parcel delivery for Australia Post cut offs have already kicked in sending more people in-store for last minute purchases. “Aussies are truly planning to eat, drink and be merry this year and many of the last-minute purchases typically include fresh food. Aussies love seafood, and we are predicting another bumper year for oysters and lobster as well as northern hemisphere traditions of ham, turkey and Christmas puddings,” he said.

“After spending the past few years under the shadow of lockdowns, we are seeing Australians out and about more than ever this year. This makes it really important to plan ahead and secure any holiday week reservations now.”

Forecasts from earlier in the year came to fruition as customers prepared for Christmas shopping earlier than ever this year. According to research from Salesforce, 84 percent of sales will have taken place prior to the week of Christmas.

Customers saved this year to spend big on sales events with a record breaking November following Black Friday, Click Frenzy, Singles Day, and Cyber Monday sales.

“We have noticed that people seem to be waiting more for the sales,”  said Gary Starr,  Executive General Manager at Australia Post. “A lot of retailers brought in a lot of stock given the significant supply side issues, so we do believe that stock has built up and there will be some big Boxing Day sales.”

The e-commerce landscape is changing. With a Power Retail Switched On membership, you get access to current e-commerce revenue and forecasting, traffic levels, average conversion rate, payment preferences and more!