Postal service conducts review of retail network as online services boom.

 

Australia Post is considering the closure of up to 30 metropolitan post office as customers take to the service’s online offerings in increasing numbers.

 

Australia Post is currently conducting a review of more than 4000 post offices across Australia, finding many city-based outlets have experienced a "significant decline" in customer visits in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

 

At the height of the pandemic, Australia Post’s technology and stationery product sales rose almost 100 per cent as consumers stocked up on work-from-home essentials.

 

None of the post offices earmarked for potential closure are in rural and remote locations.

 

In a statement a spokesperson for Australia Post said no final decision has been made on site closures, and that reviews of post office locations were an ongoing process.

 

The spokesperson said a result of COVID-19 was that many customers are now more familiar with Australia Post's digital and non-contact services such as parcel lockers. 

 

Australia Post currently operates or licenses more than 4000 Post Offices around Australia, which is a bigger store network than the major supermarkets.