16-12-2020
In the week leading up to Christmas Australia Post is expecting to deliver over 12 million parcels as Aussies continue to shop up a storm online, with online purchases up more than 42 per cent in the first week of December.
The last-minute surge in online shopping comes off the back of a record-breaking November with almost a third of shoppers buying more than once online over the month.
Australia Post Executive General Manager Deliveries Rod Barnes said with Christmas less than 10 days away, Express Post was the best option for last minute shoppers to spread the merry.
“This is the biggest Christmas we’ll deliver in our history and after such a challenging year, we want to make sure it’s a great one,” said Mr Barnes.
“The recommended posting date for Parcel Post was last Saturday 12 December so, for anyone still looking for that perfect gift, posting it by Express Post no later than this Saturday, 19 December will give it the best chance of it being under the tree on Christmas Day – just check that your delivery address is covered first.
“We know many people have shopped early but there are those who will leave it to the last minute, and we’re better prepared than ever before to make sure we can get every parcel sent by these dates delivered by Christmas.
“We’ve got more vehicles on the road delivering on the weekend and completing twilight deliveries up until 8pm when and where we need to, right up until Christmas Eve.
“It’s important customers know that parcels sent after Saturday will still be delivered as quickly as possible, but they may not arrive until after Christmas,” Mr Barnes concluded.
The lifting of border restrictions has allowed Australia Post to access additional space on domestic flights with a forecast of around two million kilos expected to be flown around the country in the week leading up to Christmas.
Australia Post is also offering extended trading hours at more than 500 locations, operating an additional 60 new and repurposed facilities, flying 18 dedicated freighters and has brought on 5000 extra people to help get a record numbers of parcels to their destinations. It has also upskilled 2700 posties including 2000 now delivering in vans.
To ensure all Australians have a safe and happy Christmas, Australia Post is also reminding the community that with more posties and drivers out delivering more parcels than ever before, to help keep them safe by looking out for them on the road and while backing out of driveways, and to keep dogs secured if they are expecting a delivery.
Customers are advised to check the parcel’s origin and destination are within the Express Post network before sending. Cut off times are displayed locally at each Post Office or yellow Posting Box within the Express Post network.
Australia Post’s Express Post network covers 80 per cent of Australian business addresses, private addresses and Post Office Boxes. For further information and current delivery times, visit auspost.com.au/Christmas.
Source: Australia Post