Huge surge in parcel delivery in lead-up to Christmas.

 

Australia Post has recorded its biggest month ever in its 211-year history, with more than 52 million parcels delivered during December, a 20 per cent increase on the previous year.

 

The strong growth in online continued into December, when more than two million parcels were delivered across the country. 

 

During the month over 21 million customers were also served at Australia Post’s 4000 plus post offices, including regional and remote locations.

 

Making use of up to 20 dedicated freighters and additional cargo space on limited domestic passenger flights, Australia Post uplifted over 7400 tonnes of airfreight, up 76 per cent when compared to the same month last year, including more than 490 tonnes on the busiest night.

 

Acting CEO, Rodney Boys said: “There is no denying that online shopping grew strongly through 2020, and this reached a new level in December as millions of people chose to buy their Christmas gifts online.” 

 

“We prepared extensively for the expected demand, opening 60 new or re-purposed facilities, adding 3000 vehicles and putting on additional dedicated planes.  Around 2700 posties undertook additional training with more than 2000 transitioning to deliver parcels in vans and an extra 5000 people were recruited,” he said.

 

Parcels volumes were buoyed in December as Australians bought up big on food and liquor, fashion, and home and garden products up 50 per cent, 37 per cent and 36 per cent respectively compared to December 2019. Fashion accessories, adventure and sporting items and books also proved popular with strong growth compared to November.