Australia Post Chief Executive, Christine Holgate, is bracing for a “Christmas like no other” as the delivery provider forecasts the 2020 holiday season to generate record e-commerce spending.
Disclosed in a speech at The Australian’s E-Commerce Summit, Holgate revealed Australia Post is bracing for a 25% jump in online shopping this Christmas season, prompt by the COVID19 crisis.
Holgate confirmed the company is planning to employ an additional 5,000 staff to assist with parcel deliveries, logistics and customer service.
Australia Post is also set to deploy 3,000 more on-road vehicles than last year, plus 18 dedicated air freighters, 30 more post offices and another 47 new delivery sites.
The logistics provider has also pledged to further invest in additional options for consumers to collect packages.
Holgate mirrors other retail commentators with the assertion that COVID19 has prompt a robust jump in e-commerce, with 57% of Aussie households planning to shop online more in the future.
The company has reportedly delivered fared a 54% year-on-year spike in branded parcels – delivering 300 million parcels across Australia since the pandemic.
“Our growth in parcels from July to September was more than the growth for the entire year just two years ago,” adds Holgate.
The news comes despite recent Toluna numbers that Australians could spend around 30% less on Christmas gifts this holiday season following the economic impact of the COVID19 crisis.
The research claims 38% of Aussies are expecting more discounts, with 23% forecasting big reductions specifically on electrical items.
Australia Post asserts e-commerce presents “an incredible opportunity” for the nation to aid its economic recovery.
