28 March 2008

New Parcel Service Meets Online Demand

Significant growth in parcels due to online trading has sparked new parcel services says New Zealand Post.

Parcels marketing manager Mike Stewart says New Zealand Post’s research found that online traders had particular needs from a parcel service.

These requirements have been incorporated into the new ParcelPost™ range, which starts on 28 March, he said.

“We found there was a real gap in the market for an economic alternative to couriers,” said Mr Stewart.

“E-traders want to know their parcels have been delivered, but they don’t necessarily want to pay a fortune for overnight delivery.

“We’re introducing a tracked parcel service that gives e-traders proof of delivery – but at a cheaper price than courier alternatives.”

A tracked parcel has a barcode on it that’s scanned at various points along its journey. Progress is updated online so that senders will know the time and date when their parcel has been delivered to the door.

The new ParcelPost™ tracked service takes between 1 and 3 days for delivery with prices starting from $4.00.

Mr Stewart says that easy pricing is another high priority for online traders. “They want to know straightaway how much something will cost to post,” he said.

“The ParcelPost™ range has a simple nationwide pricing structure and the pre-paid bags have the pricing printed on them. You know exactly what you’ll pay – and there are no extra charges.”

Mr Stewart says online buyers would also benefit from Post’s new PO Box Priority parcel service, which is delivered overnight for a Standard Post price.

“We’re seen growth in the under 3kg parcels in particular - mainly using FastPost because customers are looking for next-day delivery,” he said.

“The PO Box Priority service also allows you to receive items without revealing your home address, which can be a concern when you’re buying from strangers online.”

Trade Me’s head of commercial Mike O’Donnell says he is pleased to see the development of new postage solutions for online traders.

“Sending an item to a buyer is often the most time consuming part of an online trade. If the new ParcelPost™ range helps make this easier and more cost efficient for our members, then it has to be a good thing.”

New Zealand’s largest online bookstore, Fishpond, says the new ParcelPost™ Tracked product is exciting for their business.

"A cost-effective tracked service has never really been done well before in New Zealand, so we'll definitely be looking at it," says Fishpond founder and chief executive, Daniel Robertson.

“To us it shows New Zealand Post has picked up the pulse of online trading. They've really been listening to their customers."

ENDS