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bpost launches commercial offering for newspaper delivery
bpost has announced the launch of a new commercial offering for Flemish newspaper and magazine deliveries from July 1, 2024, following the decision by the Belgian government in December last year to end the concession for periodicals deliveries.
Thanks to this agreement bpost can safeguard the jobs of its employees on open ended contracts in Flanders, with publishers being gradually transitioned to a different distribution model from 2025.
Discussions with French-speaking publishers continue but the aim is to retain the largest possible newspaper volume, avoid social consequences and safeguard the jobs of employees on open ended contracts.
Salzberg last-mile deliveries go green with 193 e-vehicles from Austrian Post
Parcels, letters, print media and advertising mail in Salzberg is now being delivered electrically thanks to the rollout of 193 e-vehicles by Austrian Post. The e-vehicles are powered by green electricity from Austrian Post’s photovoltaic systems and green electricity from Austria.
The €6m (US$6.45m) investment in the e-vehicles is part of Austrian Post’s wider sustainability agenda that promises CO2-free delivery throughout Austria by 2030.
“The rapid introduction of CO2-free delivery by Austrian Post in Salzburg is an impressive example of sustainable innovation and environmental protection,” explained Stefan Schnöll, deputy governor of Salzburg.
Pickup debuts France’s first solar-powered parcel lockers
Parcel lockers are becoming more sustainable in France thanks to the launch of the first solar-powered outlets by La Poste Group subsidiary Pickup.
The units are being rolled out all over France, with 1,000 solar-powered lockers planned by the end of 2024 as part of La Poste Group’s wider ambition to offer 100% low-emission parcel delivery in 22 French cities by 2025. Pickup aims to convert half of all its lockers to solar power by the end of 2026.
Posti to lose up to 295 staff with planned e-commerce and delivery services reform
Posti is reforming the corporate services of its e-commerce and delivery business group, which could result in hundreds of staff losing their jobs. The company says it needs to “streamline and reorganize our operations to ensure a flexible and more efficient transportation network” in response to weak economic conditions and a fall in shipment volumes.
“The general economic outlook and the downward trend in transportation volumes confirm the need for a comprehensive renewal of our transportation network,” explained Ari Olli, responsible for corporate and delivery services in Posti’s E-commerce and Delivery Services business group.
PostNord grows income despite weak market
PostNord has announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2024, with income rising by 43% to SEK 127m (US$11.6m) compared with the same quarter in 2023.
According to the post’s CEO Annemarie Gardshol, the income growth was largely down to improved earnings for PostNord Sweden and PostNord Strålfors, and the reduced negative impact of currency effects attributable to PostNord International. The quarter also included compensation for the universal service obligation in Denmark.
Posten Bring rolls out Europe’s longest parcel locker network
Norway now boasts the longest parcel locker network in Europe thanks to a nationwide rollout by postal operator Posten Bring, with 6,000 self-service parcel lockers – or Pakkeboks – available in 2,000 locations.
According to Pakkeboks’ supplier Swipbox, Posten Bring has set several records since the first locker was installed in 2020 – the world’s northernmost Pakkeboks, located in Longyearbyen, and the network with the largest geographical distance in Europe, measuring 2,300km from Lindesnes to Longyearbyen.
FEATURE: Using big data and analytics to enhance reverse logistics operations
Reducing the complexity of the returns process is top of mind for retailers looking to steal a march on their competitors and minimize their environmental and financial impact. Statista figures show that the reverse logistics market grew to US$664.9bn globally in 2022 and is forecast to hit US$954bn by 2029 – presenting a big opportunity for postal operators and logistics providers.
But for all its opportunity, the reverse logistics process is hugely complex and there is no easy fix.
InPost parcel lockers now available in Polish hospitals
In a bid to provide more convenience to its customers, InPost has announced it has installed parcel lockers at several hospitals in Poland.
According to a post on LinkedIn, the lockers have been installed at the Children’s Memorial Health Centre, the University Children’s Hospital in Krakow, the National Institute of Oncology in Gliwice and the Holy Trinity Hospital in Płock. A parcel locker will also be installed in the Mazovian Bródnowski Hospital and InPost is finalizing talks with several more facilities.