Online shopping during peak season just got a lot easier for Australians, with the Australia Post announcing it’s launching next-day delivery. But wait, before you get all excited, it’s only available in three of the country’s biggest cities, at least for now. If you live in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, consider yourself lucky. Don’t worry Perth, it has plans to expand to more metros in coming months.
The new service, Australia Post Metro, is the first new delivery service in recent years. It provides eligible retailers and customers a faster service and certainty when shopping online.
Australia Post listens to customers
The Australian Post Group CEO Paul Graham said: “The flexibility and reliability that next-day delivery offered customers was becoming increasingly important, as the desire for fast fulfillment continues to grip consumers and with one in every three retail dollars projected to be spent online in the next 10 years.”
The new service is a direct response to customers’ need for faster service. Australia Post designed the new service due to “data suggesting that 68% of online shoppers are likely to abandon their shopping cart if they deem the delivery method too slow.”
Last month Locate2u reported on a new study released called Battling Basket Abandonment which also found that shoppers want at least 5 delivery options from retailers, or else they don’t follow through with a purchase.
“We’ve been listening to our customers, and know they expect more certainty, simplicity and speed when ordering online. The Australia Post Metro service raises the bar for customers – prioritizing next day delivery in metropolitan areas,” said Graham in a statement.
The postal service is gearing up to head into the busiest time of the year, and the new service is expected to give customers a “more agile, flexible delivery option.”
Logistics around next-day offer
In order to keep up with the fast-pace speed and volume of deliveries, Australia Post has simplified their back-end systems to quickly identify Australia Post Metro service orders, and prioritize them. It has also required them to work closely with retailers to improve the setup at distribution centers to prioritize Australia Post Metro service order.
Government gives it the thumbs up
Communications minister Michelle Rowland has welcomed the new service calling it a “win-win for both retailers and consumers” as the country embraces the digital economy.
“It’s pleasing to see Australia Post launching this new Australia Post Metro product, and I look forward to seeing it expanded following the current trial,” said Rowland. “The Albanese Government has consulted the community on modernizing this trusted national institution so it can continue to meet the needs of Australians now and into the future. Improvements to the parcels business including increased frequency and choice was a strong area of feedback.It is pleasing to see Australia Post continuing to innovate to meet the needs of customers.”
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Mia is a multi-award-winning journalist. She has more than 14 years of experience in mainstream media. She's covered many historic moments that happened in Africa and internationally. She has a strong focus on human interest stories, to bring her readers and viewers closer to the topics at hand.
