AusPost: Over 50 Million Parcels Delivered In December
Australia Post reportedly delivered 50.1 million parcels in December 2019 thanks to a spike in online sales.
As reported by the Australian, deliveries in December increased by 23%, with 3.1 million parcels delivered on 16 December alone.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday deliveries saw a 31% increase compared to 2018, with Bob Black, Australia Post executive general manager telling the Australian the jump in online shopping numbers was ‘quite incredible’.
‘Online is only between 10 and 11 per cent of what’s being bought in Australia. In many European countries, that figure is as high as 20 per cent. Australia’s online shopping could double in the next five years.’
Airfreight also saw growth of 11.9%, with Australia Post flying 4.2 million kilograms across the country, with 373 tonnes being flown on 16 December.
With the expectation for parcel deliveries to increase year-on-year, Australia Post is currently refitting an A330 passenger jet as a freight aircraft, with two additional jets on the way.
CEO of the Australian Retailers Association Russel Zimmerman attributed some of the increase in online spending due to people staying inside as a result of the bushfire smoke.
‘The week the smoke grew saw a slowdown in people walking through shopping centres. That translates to a bump in online sales’.