WORLD POSTAL NEWS
No.24 -2018
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
China Post Opens Two Main Delivery Lines in Tibet. March 17, 2018.
Ireland is ideal first-step export market according to a Royal Mail study. March 16, 2018.
UPS Chatbot Now Available Via The Google Assistant. March 14, 2018.
Temporary workers hand over a golden box to PostNL. March 13, 2018.
Poste Italiane and ANIMA Holding sign the definitive agreements for the strengthening of the partnership in the asset management business. March 7, 2018.
China Post Opens Two Main Delivery Lines in Tibet
March 17, 2018
The China Post Group's branch in the southwestern Tibet Autonomous Region officially launched two main delivery routes on March 1 to strengthen the connection between the capital city of Lhasa and Qamdo City as well as Ngari Prefecture.
Prior to the inaugural ceremony, local postal employees had held many rounds of inspection tours along the two lines.
Right now, the delivery time from Lhasa to Qamdo and Ngari has been cut by over 65 and 26 hours, respectively.
Apart from allowing the Tibet branch of China Post to better manage its business across the entire region, the two newly inaugurated delivery routes are expected to provide local people with improved services in the upcoming years.
Source: China Post Group
Ireland is ideal first-step export market according to a Royal Mail study
March 16, 2018
48% of Ireland’s shoppers purchase items via a smartphone, compared to 33% of UK shoppers
81% of shoppers in Ireland buy goods from UK-based online retailers
14% of Ireland’s online shoppers are UK nationals
Online shoppers in Ireland spend £75 (€85) per month on average, with 51% of purchases consisting of clothes, compared to 45% in the UK
The average online shopper in Ireland purchasing from a UK website spends £51 (€58)
Month
Almost half (48%) of shoppers in Ireland make purchases via their smartphone, compared to 33% of shoppers in the UK, according to a study commissioned by Royal Mail. In Ireland, mobile data is cheaper than anywhere else in Europe which could explain why consumers use their smartphone to shop online more than those in the UK. Mobile optimisation is important for UK retailers looking to attract online shoppers in Ireland.
The study, part of Royal Mail’s Delivery Matters series, is the first time Ireland has had its own dedicated report. It asked over 1,500 online shoppers in Ireland about their shopping habits and preferences. On average, Irish online shoppers spend £75 (€85) per month with 51% of purchases consisting of clothes, compared to 45% in the UK. Buying holidays and travel is more popular for online shoppers in Ireland than other markets with 25% of those living in Ireland doing so, compared to 19% in the UK.
Eight in ten (81%) shoppers in Ireland purchased from a UK website in a three month period. The average shopper in Ireland purchasing from a UK website spends £51 (€58) a month and buys from UK brands at least once a month.
Ireland’s online shoppers are driven to purchase from UK websites by price (45%), availability (42%) and quality (16%). Almost half (49%) are likely to choose a UK online retailer while they shop generally, compared to 34% who seek out a specific website.
Delivery satisfaction is a strong driver of repeat purchases for Ireland’s online shoppers. 94% agree that they are more likely to shop with an online retailer again if they’re satisfied with the delivery, higher than the international average of 91%. Clear, upfront delivery information is key to satisfying online shoppers in Ireland. If retailers get it right, they set themselves up for repeat business.
Online marketplaces in Ireland are thriving with shoppers using them more frequently than those in the UK. 78% of online shoppers use marketplaces compared to 69% in the UK. Delivery ratings are important to Ireland’s shoppers when it comes to marketplaces. Eight in ten (79%) are heavily influenced by marketplace delivery ratings and take these into account when making purchases. This is a lot higher than the UK (54%) and international average (76%). Similar to the UK, Ireland’s shoppers have a clear preference when it comes to online marketplaces with eBay (77%) and Amazon (72%) the most popular.
According to Ireland’s Central Statistics Office, exports to Great Britain increased by 8% in 2017, when compared to 2016. Imports from Great Britain to Ireland also increased by 10%.
A spokesperson for Royal Mail said “Ireland is an ideal first-step export market for UK businesses looking to dip their toes into overseas markets. They are in the same time zone, speak English, have a strong transport infrastructure and consumers have a positive perception of British quality. For retailers looking to export to Ireland, mobile optimisation should be a top priority to target the high proportion of smartphone shoppers. Ireland’s shoppers use their smartphones far more than any other device and more than any other countries in Europe.”
If you are looking to export to Ireland, follow these tips from Royal Mail:
Go mobile Make mobile optimisation a top priority if you want to target online shoppers in Ireland. They use their smartphones far more than any other device and more than any other countries in Europe.
Value is vital Matching shoppers’ expectations of value for money is a top priority. Affordability and good value are pillars of the purchase decision. Crucially, as cart abandonment levels show, this extends to delivery charges.
Focus on delivery UK online retailers should offer Ireland’s shoppers free delivery and returns wherever possible, along with tracking. These are pivotal in building shopper confidence and encouraging repeat business.
Source: http://www.posteurop.org
UPS Chatbot Now Available Via The Google Assistant
March 14, 2018
UPS today announced it has launched its popular chatbot on the Google Assistant, giving customers another convenient way to retrieve information on package deliveries and other UPS services via the Assistant on Android phones, iPhones, smart speakers like Google Home and other compatible devices
The chatbot’s expansion to the Google Assistant also marks an important step for UPS as it makes new inroads into Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The company, which aims to engage its customers and consumers through the online platforms they prefer, introduced the chatbot in 2016 through Facebook Messenger, Skype and Amazon Alexa.
AI and machine learning, along with big data and the internet of things, underpin many of the technologies that support UPS’s global logistics network.
“UPS is constantly building new ways to make it even easier to do business with us,” said Jerome Roberts, UPS vice president of global product innovation. “The AI-enabled UPS chatbot is available where our customers need it to be, and its functionality is getting better all the time.”
Last year, UPS integrated the chatbot with UPS My Choice® service, allowing customers to obtain detailed information about their incoming packages and recent deliveries without providing a tracking number. UPS My Choice service is free, and it gives consumers more control over their residential deliveries. Members can receive an email or text message the day before a shipment arrives. UPS My Choice service has more than 43 million members globally.
The chatbot’s integration with UPS My Choice service made UPS the first U.S. package delivery company to offer a chatbot experience specifically designed for authenticated users.
The UPS chatbot provides a convenient and conversational interface. For example, customers can ask the chatbot “are any packages coming to my house?” or “has anything been delivered to my house?” and receive an easy-to-understand response. Google Assistant users can find the UPS chatbot by saying “OK Google, talk to UPS” or “OK Google, ask UPS about my packages.”
“AI interactions are becoming increasingly more significant at a time when customers perform more business online,” said Andrew Van Beek, UPS vice president of applications development. “This trend demands smooth user experiences, including those that occur via chatbots.”
To learn more about UPS efforts to build AI into its package delivery business, listen to the podcast on the topic at UPS Longitudes Radio.
Source: https://www.ipc.be
Temporary workers hand over a golden box to PostNL
March 13, 2018
The eighty temporary employees of In Person who sort packages for PostNL in Dordrecht are fed up. Day in, day out they have to lift very heavy packages with too few people. In this heavily outdated sorting center there are no tools and packages up to more than 30 kg must be sorted by hand. Also the work pressure is too high, the breaks are too short and they receive less wages than what they are entitled to.
That is why a group of temporary workers, on behalf of their eighty colleagues, will hand over a petition to PostNL in Dordrecht on Wednesday with a number of requirements. They are sick of having to work under such bad, unhealthy conditions day in, day out and demand that PostNL intervenes.
"The pace is murderous, the breaks are irregular and too short, we feel rushed and literally break our heads, but there is not much to do with that, and the canteen is so far away that you can only leave for 5 minutes from the fifteen minute break"
According to one of the temporary workers, Izabela Muchowska of FNV Compliance: "Because PostNL and In Person allow the temporary agency workers to work in a contracting construction, the temporary workers receive only the minimum wage, while according to the PostNL collective labor agreement they are entitled to the collective labor agreement".
Requirements
The temporary employees require that in the future they can lift the heavy packages, that there is a short break every 2.5 hours, and that they can sleep for at least 8 hours after a night's work. They also demand the wage to which they are entitled.
FNV has started lawsuit against PostNL and InPerson
Temporary workers in Dordrecht work in the same construction as their colleagues in Amersfoort, Waddinxveen and Goes. The Inspectorate SZW carried out research in these 3 package sorting centers. The conclusion of this investigation is that In Person and PostNL violate the law and underpay temporary workers. Just like in Dordrecht, temporary workers receive only the absolute minimum, or just a little bit more. The FNV has now brought PostNL and In Person to court.
Source : https://www.fnv.nl
Poste Italiane and ANIMA Holding sign the definitive agreements for the strengthening of the partnership in the asset management business
March 7 2018
Confirmation of the agreement on the management of assets underlying Poste Vita Class I insurance products
The cooperation between Poste Italiane and ANIMA continues for the delegated management of mutual funds promoted by Bancoposta Fondi SGR
Poste Italiane and ANIMA Holding, as well as Poste Vita, BancoPosta Fondi and Anima SGR, each in respect of its own interests, signed today the implementation agreements for the strengthening of the partnership in the asset management business, according to the terms and conditions announced on December 21st, 2017.
The closing of the transaction - concerning, among other things, the spin-off in favor of Anima SGR of the assets management activities underlying Class I insurance products for over 70 billion euro currently owned by Bancoposta Fondi SGR, as well as an extension of the existing partnership for a period of 15 years from the closing – is expected in the second half of 2018, after obtaining, inter alia, the necessary regulatory approvals.
The transaction qualifies for Anima Holding as a transaction with related parties “of greater importance” (since Poste Italiane holds, as of today, 10.04% of Anima Holding share capital); according to applicable laws and regulations, it was approved by Anima Holding Board of Directors, after receiving the positive opinion by the Related Parties Committee. The information documents will be made available to the public within the statutory time limits.
With respect to Poste Italiane, the transaction is exempt from the application of the procedural requirements for transactions with related parties, as it qualifies as a transaction with a company (Anima) subject to considerable influence when there are no significant interests of other related and affiliated parties involved.
Poste Italiane is Italy’s largest infrastructure network, providing communication, logistics and e-Commerce, financial, insurance and mobile telephony services to households, businesses and public sector customers throughout the country. Thanks to a widespread presence around Italy, significant expertise and technological heritage, Poste Italiane is a driving force behind the competitiveness of the country and a natural partner for the public sector in the development of services for citizens.
ANIMA is a leading Italian independent asset management operator. with more than €95 billion of assets under management (as of January 2018). A synthesis of different complementary paths and specializations. ANIMA nowadays offers one of the largest range of products and services available on the market. ANIMA’s offering is composed of Italian collective investment schemes and foreign SICAVs. The company also offers institutional and private pension funds. as well as private wealth and institutional asset management services. For further information. please visit www.animaholding.it
Source: https://www.posteitaliane.it
1. Delivery choice - Parcel lockers
March 2018
Parcel lockers, autonomous containers that can be used to either receive or send a
parcel, are among the several popular alternative solutions customers can select to
manage their online shopping deliveries or dispatches. For logistics companies,
investment in parcel lockers can reduce costs in the logistics chain, increased delivery
efficiency and generate new market opportunities.
The 2017 IPC cross-border e-commerce shopper survey looked into the delivery
preferences and experiences of over 28,892 frequent cross-border online shoppers
across 31 countries. Seventy-four percent of consumers used delivery ‘at home’ in
2017, slightly lower than in previous year. There were some large differences by
country, notably:
Delivery to a Post Office was highest in Russia (76%), Iceland (67%), Cyprus
(65%), Finland (50%) and Greece (44%)
A postal service point was used most commonly used in Norway (71%),
Sweden (70%), Finland (65%) and Denmark (50%)
An office / workplace was most commonly used as a delivery location in China
(44%) and India (41%)
A courier’s parcel shop was most commonly used in France (54%)
Parcel lockers were most popular in Finland (43%), Denmark (41%) and China
(33%)
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When looking at the types of products bought cross-border, the three most popular
categories - Clothing, footwear and apparel (30%), Consumer electronics (19%) and
Health & beauty (14%) – would mostly fit in a parcel locker. However, the
infrastructure and integration of logistics systems need to be improved to allow for a
seamless cross-border delivery to a parcel locker.
Overall, the preference for parcel locker delivery grew 1% compared to the 2015
results and was preferred on the same level as delivery to retail outlet in 2016. When
looking at the categories of products bought cross-border, the most popular items -
such as Clothing, footwear and apparel (33%), Consumer electronics (21%) and Books,
music and media (14%) - fit in a parcel locker, however the infrastructure and
integration of logistics systems need to be improved to allow for a seamless crossborder
delivery to a parcel locker.
In this article, we present an updated overview of the parcel locker market
development by key players, both postal operators and other entrants.
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Source: Postal operators data, Euromonitor
Carriers
Australia Post
Australia Post launched their parcel locker system in 2014 together with MyPost
Deliveries, a service that gives customers choice over exactly where their parcels get
delivered. By registering for MyPost account, customers can choose their closest or
most convenient delivery point, whether to their home, a post office close to work or a
Parcel Locker, with the flexibility to change it every time they shop. Currently there
are around 200 parcel locker stations provided in partnership with InPost – the details
of the partnership deal are not public.
Le Group La Poste
The roll-out of the French Pickup Station lockers began in 2014, and at the end of 2015,
200 Pickup Stations were operational in France in busy areas of the five largest
cities in France (Paris and the Paris region, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, etc.). New
locations (tramway stations, post offices, universities, hospitals, large retail stores) are
currently being tested. The self-service parcel terminals, supplied by Austrian firm
KEBA, can handle 40-100 parcels/day.
The number of Pickup Stations is scheduled for major expansion in 2016 with an
increase to around 1,000 locations across France in cooperation with technology
partner Packcity, a joint venture with Neopost. Around 6,500 e-retailers in France now
offer parcel delivery through Chronopost or Colissimo to a Pickup Station.
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CTT Portugal Post
In late 2017, the Portuguese postal operator has introduced 5 parcel lockers in Lisbon
for a one year trial – these lockers are provided by a Spanish company which owns
them and collects a fee for every delivery made to it.
Correos
Correos launched the ‘CityPaq’ parcel terminals in late 2014, with plans to install up to
60 terminals, supplied by Austria’s KEBA, during 2015. By early 2018, Correos
reported having over 3,000 parcel locker terminals.
In a pilot project with the Spanish rail operator Renfe, CityPaq self-service parcel
lockers were installed in nine local stations in Barcelona and Madrid. The machines,
accessible during train station opening hours, have up to 80 compartments of different
sizes.
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Deutsche Post DHL
Since the launch in 2001, Deutsche Post DHL has installed around 2,750 parcel lockers
(packstations) provided by the Austrian manufacturer, KEBA nation-wide.
Packstations achieved national coverage by 2010 (approximately 90% of the German
population is able to access a Packstation within ten minutes of their home). Since
2009, the number of large corporations locating packstations at their offices has grown,
increasing accessibility and convenience for employees. Prior registration for receiving
parcels at Packstations is required and includes membership in a loyalty programme.
When purchasing online, consumers insert the shipping address of their chosen
Packstation. Upon delivery of the parcel at the locker, consumers receive an e-mail or
an SMS notification. In order to retrieve parcels, consumers require their smart card
(provided upon registration) and pin (sent with the notification).
The lockers are generally located in high footfall areas, however the company has
installed units in larger companies for their employees to have flexible access to online.
In April 2015, Deutsche Post DHL announced it was partnering with Germany’s
housing company, Deutsche Annington, to install parcel boxes in its apartment blocks.
The boxes are free of charge and can be accessed via an RFID chip or hand scanner.
Using parcel systems from KEBA, Deutsche Post DHL has also expanded in other
countries with 250-300 lockers planned in retail stores in Finland and around 25
lockers in Vienna, Austria. At the same time, using the same system provider KEBA,
Austria Post is developing its own parcel locker network.
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HongKong Post
In May 2016, HongKong Post introduced its parcel locker systems in six locations
across the territory, with three of them open 24/7. The lockers are applicable for the
following mail types: Local Ordinary Mail (Packets only), International Ordinary Mail
(Packets only), Local Parcel, International Parcel, Smart Post Mail Delivery Service
(Packets only), EMS.
Upon receipt of an SMS notification, the delivery is available for collection for four
days. If not collected within this time period, it will be transferred to the nearby post
office for counter collection.
UPS
According to the 2015 UPS Pulse of the Online Shopper US study, more than half of
avid online shoppers, who make two or more online purchases in a typical three-month
time period, are interested in an alternate delivery location with extended hours.
Preference for alternate delivery locations grew nine points (to 35%) in the last two
years according to the UPS study.
To respond to this trend, UPS announced in June 2016 that it would expand its smart
locker programme from nine locations in Chicago to 300 locations nationwide. The
UPS Access Point lockers are alternate delivery locations that are usually outside and
accessible 24 hours a day at convenience stores and other locations. Online retailers
can integrate the locker delivery addresses into their web checkout process to give ‘ecommerce
stranded’ consumers, who live in a residence where front-door delivery is
not possible, a nearby delivery location.
UPS is working with 7-Eleven and independently owned and operated retailers to offer
the locker programme in select areas across the US. The rollout began in June 2016
and initially will be available in Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and
Washington State. Subsequent states are planned to include California, Florida,
Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Texas.
Competing parcel delivery operators have entered the parcel lockers market as well. In
July 2016, FedEx offered 82 parcel lockers in two states: 80 in Texas and two in
Tennessee. Number of Amazon lockers across the US is not shared by the company,
however, based on data per key locations – Los Angeles (19), Manhattan New York
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(20), San Francisco (20), Seattle (13) Washington (20), Amazon has already a
significant presence in this delivery choice option.
USPS
Gopost is the parcel locker system by the USPS introduced in a trial phase in 2012.
The service is currently in the “test” phase according to the Gopost factsheet from the
USPS. Gopost units are being installed near certain Post Office locations, grocery
stores, pharmacies, transportation hubs, shopping centres and other convenient
locations. The units are located outdoors and are accessible 24/7.
Each Gopost unit contains dozens of individual lockers that can be used to receive or
ship packages. Once a customer registers at gopost.com, they will receive an account
number/access card and PIN so they can access the unit. Packages are placed in
available lockers that may accommodate the size of your package. Gopost locker units
can be used both for receiving and shipping packages.
A domestic package will be returned to the sender after 15 days. International packages
will be removed from the unit after 15 days and taken to a nearby Post Office. After 15
days at the Post Office, the package will be returned to sender. International shipments
requiring customs fees are currently not accepted.
USPS package mail classes allowed in the Gopost service include: any Priority Mail®
or Priority Mail Express mail piece; other package types that are at least ¾" (1.9cm)
thick. The Gopost units also accept shipping packages with return labels. There are
three locker sizes at each gopost unit to accommodate various sizes of packages with
the largest locker being 12" (30.48cm) x 15" (38.1cm) x 18½" (46.99cm).
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Non-carrier players
Amazon
UK
There are over 600 Amazon Lockers in the UK with locations ranging from Shopping
Centers, Business Parks, Petrol Stations and Convenience Stores to Transport Hubs,
Universities and Corporate HQ's. Amazon Locker offers daily deliveries, seven days a
week, which can be tailored to the opening hours of the location if required.
France
In France, self-service parcel terminals have been installed at various hypermarkets in
recent months and the company plans to install 500 lockers across the country “very
quickly”, including 64 at Auchan stores by the end of June.
Germany
Amazon is actively looking at introducing parcel lockers in Germany in competition to
DHL’s Packstations and following their launch in the UK and France. Amazon is
already testing lockers for staff at its offices and logistics centres across the country.
Munich and Berlin, where the company now has its own delivery operations, could be
the first two cities where the self-service parcel terminal would be trialled.
InPost
InPost is an independent postal services provider in Poland which offers secure
electronic parcel services via its Paczkomaty facilities. Each parcel station has 76
locker boxes in three sizes, accessible 24 hours, 7 days a week. Users must register in
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order to access the parcel locker service. Consumers can select a Paczkomaty delivery
from selected e-retailers with parcels ready for collection within 48 hours. SMS
notification is provided including a delivery code, which together with the user’s
mobile number is required for collection.
Additional services include insurance and pay on delivery service. Registered users can
also send parcels to registered receivers from a locker facility. Proof of posting and
scanning barcode facilities are available to track and trace parcels. InPost now has its
parcel terminals in ten different countries – Australia, Chile, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus,
Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, Russia and Spain. The company has
investment from Pinebridge Investments to help fund its EUR 300m plans to install
16,000 parcel terminals in Europe by 2016.
UK
InPost’s UK network of parcel lockers is now over 1,000 lockers. All of InPost's
lockers are located at a variety of safe and secure locations including Morrisons
supermarkets, Esso petrol stations and transport for London sites as well as outside
retailers such as Toys R Us. The UK network is open to all operators and is currently
offered as delivery option by UK Mail, DX, DHL Express and APC Overnight. Thanks
to investments in refining its technology, InPost UK reduced the access procedure time
to seven seconds.
France
InPost France makes provision for the deployment of 900 'Abricolis' lockers at
Leclerc's outlets, including 400 by the end of 2016. Leclerc has several e-Commerce
sites including those for over-the-counter drugs, wine, sports gear, electronic
appliances and spectacles.
InPost’s plans to have around 2,000 lockers in service nation-wide by 2018. InPost will
also complement the well-developed and proven network of Points Relais created by
Mondial Relay, with a strong territorial network by providing a thousand of automated
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lockers by the end of 2016. They will rival networks used by Amazon, DPD, DHL and
other parcel carriers.
Mondial Relay will use InPost’s expanding French network, which is timetabled to
reach 1,000 locations by the end of this year, as an additional delivery option alongside
its 5,300 Point Relais parcel points. In 2015, InPost also signed a deal to set up lockers
at Total petrol stations.
InPost’s lockers have also been installed by postal operators in Saudi Arabia, Australia,
Chile, Italy, Ireland, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Estonia, Russia, Cyprus,
Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and also Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala
and Malaysia.
Source: International Post Corporation
2. Alibaba invests a further $2b in Lazada to accelerate the
region's e-commerce
March 18, 2018
Alibaba Group said Monday it will inject a further $2 billion into Southeast Asian
online shopping giant Lazada as part of the group’s ongoing effort to accelerate the
region’s e-commerce development.
The latest move will deepen Lazada’s integration into the Alibaba ecosystem and
brings Alibaba’s total investment in the e-commerce platform to $4 billion. In 2016,
Alibaba acquired control of Lazada with an investment of $1 billion and boosted its
stake to 83 percent in 2017 with another investment of $1 billion.
“The investment underscores Alibaba’s confidence in the future success of Lazada’s
business and the growth prospect of the Southeast Asian market, a region that is a key
part of Alibaba’s global growth strategy,” said Alibaba in a statement.
Lucy Peng, who currently serves as Lazada’s chairwoman, will assume the
additional role of chief executive officer. Peng, one of the 18 founders and a senior
partner in the Alibaba Group, said the region is a hot spot for growth and exciting
opportunities.
“With a young population, high mobile penetration and just three percent of the
region’s retail sales currently conducted online, we feel very confident to double down
on Southeast Asia,” said Peng. “Lazada is well-positioned for the next phase of
development and of Internet-enabled commerce in this region.”
Lazada founder Max Bittner, who has served as the CEO since 2012, will take on the
role of senior advisor to Alibaba Group to assist in the transition and future
international growth strategy.
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“Alibaba’s new commitment of capital and resources is good for Lazada and good for
the Southeast Asia e-commerce market,” said Bittner.
Launched in 2012 and headquartered in Singapore, Lazada is the leading online
shopping and selling destination in Southeast Asia, with presence in Indonesia,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The platform now has over 145,000
local and international sellers, as well as 3,000 brands. It also serves more than 560
million consumers throughout the region.
With a population of 650 million people and a fast adaptability to internet, the region
represents an immense potential for online retail businesses. According to a report by
Google and statement from Singapore investment vehicle Temasek, the region’s
internet economy is slated to hit $200 billion by 2025.
In Aug 2017, Alibaba also invested $1.1 billion in Tokopedia, Indonesia’s largest
online marketplace.
Source: https://www.ipc.be
3. USPS Safety Ambassador Program
March 16, 2018
The APWU was informed on October 26, 2017 of the Postal Service’s intent to roll out
a new program called the Safety Ambassador Program. The Postal Service intends to
replace the safety captain program, and any other local safety programs, with this
“standardized” and nationally controlled program. The American Postal Workers
Union does not support, agree with, or endorse this program.
Using their latest catch phrase—employee engagement—the Postal Service claims that
this program “will focus on employee engagement, training, communication, hazard
identification/abatement, and accident reduction.” Having a safe workplace is every
worker’s right and you must fight for that right! However, the Safety Ambassador
Program appears to be nothing more than an end-around our currently negotiated joint
union-management safety procedures.
We have multiple issues with the program including, but not limited to, the following:
Rather than encouraging that safety hazards be reported on PS Form 1767, the
Service encourages “verbal” reporting of hazards where there would be no record or
tracking of the hazard. Written records are the basis for showing the hazard was
reported.
Ambassador selection would be at sole discretion of installation head (manager,
postmaster) without any union input. Many locals have elected officers and
appointed officials who are responsible for safety. We also have reports from the
field that management has instructed those making selections to specifically avoid
using union representatives and “agitators.” It has been reported that the Postal
Service is encouraging its managers to select employees who are not active in their
unions as ambassadors.
Ambassadors are supposed to be “volunteers.” However, multiple reports from the
field are showing that employees are being forced to become Ambassadors.
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Local Safety and Health Committees are not part of the program.
Ambassadors would participate in creating Job Safety Analysis (JSA) which is
currently the function of Article 14 Safety and Health Committees.
Ambassadors will be observing their coworkers, telling them they are being unsafe,
and providing feedback and coaching to them, as well as reporting back to the
supervisors on their coworkers’ actions.
Ambassadors will be trained on the use of the USPS Safety Toolkit which again is
in the purview of the Safety and health Committees.
The APWU has initiated an Article 19 appeal to arbitration on the implementation of
this program (Q15C-4Q-C 18055498). We believe the Service has violated Article
5 Prohibition of Unilateral Action (past practice of safety programs and failure to
negotiate), Article 14 Safety and Health, Article 19 Handbooks and
Manuals, ELM Chapter 8. Questions on the dispute should be directed to the Article
14 officers at headquarters, Lynn Pallas-Barber and Terry Martinez. Copies of all
relevant documents were sent to the NBAs in the field.
We request that any local or state organization that has Safety and Health Committees
immediately file a grievance that the Safety Ambassador program is a violation of
Article 14 and the negotiated Safety and Health Committee processes as well as Article
1 Union Recognition - that the APWU is the exclusive bargaining representative for
those we represent. Safety programs are subject of bargaining and the union must be
included in the decisions about any safety program. Grievances should also be initiated
where employees have been involuntarily required to act as ambassadors. No one is
required to be an ambassador and they can decline the offer to be one. Any grievances
on this issue held, pending the Article 19 appeal, must be held at Step 3 only, to
provide better tracking.
The APWU believes strongly that your workplace must be a safe place to work. We
believe bargaining unit member participation is important to a safe work place and that
we all need to act together to make sure it is. As an individual and in groups you
should be able to feel that you can act through using 1767s, workroom floor actions,
and filing grievances. You should not have to go through a management-appointed
intermediary in order to have a safe workplace!
As the Postal Service remains the most dangerous place to work of all federal agencies
in the country, we must fight for our rights to have fair, reasonable, and successful
safety programs. The Safety Ambassador Program does not fit that description as it
was fully developed and implemented by management while completely ignoring your
union.
Source: https://www.apwu.org
4. EU to add new rules and website for cross-border
parcel delivery. March 16, 2018.
March 16, 2018
The European Union is to implement new rules with the purpose of making crossborder
parcel delivery more transparent.
As part of a broader package of new e-commerce rules designed to make buying and
selling across the EU easier for consumers and companies, the plan is to provide
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regulatory oversight for cross-border tariffs, so that the cost of sending between certain
EU countries is not inordinately higher than it is for domestic deliveries.
While the European Commission states that it is not proposing caps on delivery
prices—except as a possible last resort—it will provide national postal regulators with
the data to monitor and check the affordability of cross-border markets.
It will also publish the tariffs of providers, “for a predefined list of most used services”,
to increase transparency and competition, making them available on a price
comparison website.
These changes follow the results of a public consultation which found that over two
thirds of consumers did not make online purchases because cross-border delivery costs
were too high—on average 3-5 times higher than domestic services. Consumers and
small businesses in remote areas were particularly affected.
Service providers will also be required to disclose to national authorities their turnover,
number of parcels delivered, number and status of employees, complaints handling
procedures, and information on subcontractors—unless they have fewer than 50
employees and operate in only one country.
The proposed rules await the endorsement of the EU Council of Ministers before they
are put into action.
Source: https://www.transglobalexpress.co.uk
5.CORREOS hosted the "LIGHTest" Congress in Seville
March 14, 2018
LIGHTest" is a European technology research project in which companies from
16 countries work with the aim of designing a reliable infrastructure for
electronic transactions.
Seville, March 14, 2018. - CORREOS hosted the " LIGHTest" Congress in its main
building in Seville, on Avenida de la Constitución 32 .
"LIGHTest" is a European project coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institute, a
benchmark for technological research, in which the postal and parcel company
collaborates with companies from 16 different countries. This initiative is based on a
European digital system and its translation for its understanding with other American
and Asian systems, with the aim of designing a global trust infrastructure for electronic
transactions that distinguishes a safe operation from a fraudulent operation.
Every six months, a follow-up committee of this project, composed of 40 technicians,
meets on a rotating basis in the different participating countries and on March 6, 7 and
8 was held at the headquarters of the CORREOS Zone Directorate of Seville.
In this project, CORREOS is the test bank of the "LIGHTest" developments, since it
has an online identification system, Correos ID , and other digital services such as My
Notifications and My Mailbox, supported on advanced systems for connected devices.
to networks like the internet.
For CORREOS, participating in this type of activity shows its commitment to
innovation and the promotion of entrepreneurship to explore new business routes, and
to modernize and improve the services it provides.
Source : http://www.correos.es
No.24 -2018
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
China Post Opens Two Main Delivery Lines in Tibet. March 17, 2018.
Ireland is ideal first-step export market according to a Royal Mail study. March 16, 2018.
UPS Chatbot Now Available Via The Google Assistant. March 14, 2018.
Temporary workers hand over a golden box to PostNL. March 13, 2018.
Poste Italiane and ANIMA Holding sign the definitive agreements for the strengthening of the partnership in the asset management business. March 7, 2018.
China Post Opens Two Main Delivery Lines in Tibet
March 17, 2018
The China Post Group's branch in the southwestern Tibet Autonomous Region officially launched two main delivery routes on March 1 to strengthen the connection between the capital city of Lhasa and Qamdo City as well as Ngari Prefecture.
Prior to the inaugural ceremony, local postal employees had held many rounds of inspection tours along the two lines.
Right now, the delivery time from Lhasa to Qamdo and Ngari has been cut by over 65 and 26 hours, respectively.
Apart from allowing the Tibet branch of China Post to better manage its business across the entire region, the two newly inaugurated delivery routes are expected to provide local people with improved services in the upcoming years.
Source: China Post Group
Ireland is ideal first-step export market according to a Royal Mail study
March 16, 2018
48% of Ireland’s shoppers purchase items via a smartphone, compared to 33% of UK shoppers
81% of shoppers in Ireland buy goods from UK-based online retailers
14% of Ireland’s online shoppers are UK nationals
Online shoppers in Ireland spend £75 (€85) per month on average, with 51% of purchases consisting of clothes, compared to 45% in the UK
The average online shopper in Ireland purchasing from a UK website spends £51 (€58)
Month
Almost half (48%) of shoppers in Ireland make purchases via their smartphone, compared to 33% of shoppers in the UK, according to a study commissioned by Royal Mail. In Ireland, mobile data is cheaper than anywhere else in Europe which could explain why consumers use their smartphone to shop online more than those in the UK. Mobile optimisation is important for UK retailers looking to attract online shoppers in Ireland.
The study, part of Royal Mail’s Delivery Matters series, is the first time Ireland has had its own dedicated report. It asked over 1,500 online shoppers in Ireland about their shopping habits and preferences. On average, Irish online shoppers spend £75 (€85) per month with 51% of purchases consisting of clothes, compared to 45% in the UK. Buying holidays and travel is more popular for online shoppers in Ireland than other markets with 25% of those living in Ireland doing so, compared to 19% in the UK.
Eight in ten (81%) shoppers in Ireland purchased from a UK website in a three month period. The average shopper in Ireland purchasing from a UK website spends £51 (€58) a month and buys from UK brands at least once a month.
Ireland’s online shoppers are driven to purchase from UK websites by price (45%), availability (42%) and quality (16%). Almost half (49%) are likely to choose a UK online retailer while they shop generally, compared to 34% who seek out a specific website.
Delivery satisfaction is a strong driver of repeat purchases for Ireland’s online shoppers. 94% agree that they are more likely to shop with an online retailer again if they’re satisfied with the delivery, higher than the international average of 91%. Clear, upfront delivery information is key to satisfying online shoppers in Ireland. If retailers get it right, they set themselves up for repeat business.
Online marketplaces in Ireland are thriving with shoppers using them more frequently than those in the UK. 78% of online shoppers use marketplaces compared to 69% in the UK. Delivery ratings are important to Ireland’s shoppers when it comes to marketplaces. Eight in ten (79%) are heavily influenced by marketplace delivery ratings and take these into account when making purchases. This is a lot higher than the UK (54%) and international average (76%). Similar to the UK, Ireland’s shoppers have a clear preference when it comes to online marketplaces with eBay (77%) and Amazon (72%) the most popular.
According to Ireland’s Central Statistics Office, exports to Great Britain increased by 8% in 2017, when compared to 2016. Imports from Great Britain to Ireland also increased by 10%.
A spokesperson for Royal Mail said “Ireland is an ideal first-step export market for UK businesses looking to dip their toes into overseas markets. They are in the same time zone, speak English, have a strong transport infrastructure and consumers have a positive perception of British quality. For retailers looking to export to Ireland, mobile optimisation should be a top priority to target the high proportion of smartphone shoppers. Ireland’s shoppers use their smartphones far more than any other device and more than any other countries in Europe.”
If you are looking to export to Ireland, follow these tips from Royal Mail:
Go mobile Make mobile optimisation a top priority if you want to target online shoppers in Ireland. They use their smartphones far more than any other device and more than any other countries in Europe.
Value is vital Matching shoppers’ expectations of value for money is a top priority. Affordability and good value are pillars of the purchase decision. Crucially, as cart abandonment levels show, this extends to delivery charges.
Focus on delivery UK online retailers should offer Ireland’s shoppers free delivery and returns wherever possible, along with tracking. These are pivotal in building shopper confidence and encouraging repeat business.
Source: http://www.posteurop.org
UPS Chatbot Now Available Via The Google Assistant
March 14, 2018
UPS today announced it has launched its popular chatbot on the Google Assistant, giving customers another convenient way to retrieve information on package deliveries and other UPS services via the Assistant on Android phones, iPhones, smart speakers like Google Home and other compatible devices
The chatbot’s expansion to the Google Assistant also marks an important step for UPS as it makes new inroads into Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The company, which aims to engage its customers and consumers through the online platforms they prefer, introduced the chatbot in 2016 through Facebook Messenger, Skype and Amazon Alexa.
AI and machine learning, along with big data and the internet of things, underpin many of the technologies that support UPS’s global logistics network.
“UPS is constantly building new ways to make it even easier to do business with us,” said Jerome Roberts, UPS vice president of global product innovation. “The AI-enabled UPS chatbot is available where our customers need it to be, and its functionality is getting better all the time.”
Last year, UPS integrated the chatbot with UPS My Choice® service, allowing customers to obtain detailed information about their incoming packages and recent deliveries without providing a tracking number. UPS My Choice service is free, and it gives consumers more control over their residential deliveries. Members can receive an email or text message the day before a shipment arrives. UPS My Choice service has more than 43 million members globally.
The chatbot’s integration with UPS My Choice service made UPS the first U.S. package delivery company to offer a chatbot experience specifically designed for authenticated users.
The UPS chatbot provides a convenient and conversational interface. For example, customers can ask the chatbot “are any packages coming to my house?” or “has anything been delivered to my house?” and receive an easy-to-understand response. Google Assistant users can find the UPS chatbot by saying “OK Google, talk to UPS” or “OK Google, ask UPS about my packages.”
“AI interactions are becoming increasingly more significant at a time when customers perform more business online,” said Andrew Van Beek, UPS vice president of applications development. “This trend demands smooth user experiences, including those that occur via chatbots.”
To learn more about UPS efforts to build AI into its package delivery business, listen to the podcast on the topic at UPS Longitudes Radio.
Source: https://www.ipc.be
Temporary workers hand over a golden box to PostNL
March 13, 2018
The eighty temporary employees of In Person who sort packages for PostNL in Dordrecht are fed up. Day in, day out they have to lift very heavy packages with too few people. In this heavily outdated sorting center there are no tools and packages up to more than 30 kg must be sorted by hand. Also the work pressure is too high, the breaks are too short and they receive less wages than what they are entitled to.
That is why a group of temporary workers, on behalf of their eighty colleagues, will hand over a petition to PostNL in Dordrecht on Wednesday with a number of requirements. They are sick of having to work under such bad, unhealthy conditions day in, day out and demand that PostNL intervenes.
"The pace is murderous, the breaks are irregular and too short, we feel rushed and literally break our heads, but there is not much to do with that, and the canteen is so far away that you can only leave for 5 minutes from the fifteen minute break"
According to one of the temporary workers, Izabela Muchowska of FNV Compliance: "Because PostNL and In Person allow the temporary agency workers to work in a contracting construction, the temporary workers receive only the minimum wage, while according to the PostNL collective labor agreement they are entitled to the collective labor agreement".
Requirements
The temporary employees require that in the future they can lift the heavy packages, that there is a short break every 2.5 hours, and that they can sleep for at least 8 hours after a night's work. They also demand the wage to which they are entitled.
FNV has started lawsuit against PostNL and InPerson
Temporary workers in Dordrecht work in the same construction as their colleagues in Amersfoort, Waddinxveen and Goes. The Inspectorate SZW carried out research in these 3 package sorting centers. The conclusion of this investigation is that In Person and PostNL violate the law and underpay temporary workers. Just like in Dordrecht, temporary workers receive only the absolute minimum, or just a little bit more. The FNV has now brought PostNL and In Person to court.
Source : https://www.fnv.nl
Poste Italiane and ANIMA Holding sign the definitive agreements for the strengthening of the partnership in the asset management business
March 7 2018
Confirmation of the agreement on the management of assets underlying Poste Vita Class I insurance products
The cooperation between Poste Italiane and ANIMA continues for the delegated management of mutual funds promoted by Bancoposta Fondi SGR
Poste Italiane and ANIMA Holding, as well as Poste Vita, BancoPosta Fondi and Anima SGR, each in respect of its own interests, signed today the implementation agreements for the strengthening of the partnership in the asset management business, according to the terms and conditions announced on December 21st, 2017.
The closing of the transaction - concerning, among other things, the spin-off in favor of Anima SGR of the assets management activities underlying Class I insurance products for over 70 billion euro currently owned by Bancoposta Fondi SGR, as well as an extension of the existing partnership for a period of 15 years from the closing – is expected in the second half of 2018, after obtaining, inter alia, the necessary regulatory approvals.
The transaction qualifies for Anima Holding as a transaction with related parties “of greater importance” (since Poste Italiane holds, as of today, 10.04% of Anima Holding share capital); according to applicable laws and regulations, it was approved by Anima Holding Board of Directors, after receiving the positive opinion by the Related Parties Committee. The information documents will be made available to the public within the statutory time limits.
With respect to Poste Italiane, the transaction is exempt from the application of the procedural requirements for transactions with related parties, as it qualifies as a transaction with a company (Anima) subject to considerable influence when there are no significant interests of other related and affiliated parties involved.
Poste Italiane is Italy’s largest infrastructure network, providing communication, logistics and e-Commerce, financial, insurance and mobile telephony services to households, businesses and public sector customers throughout the country. Thanks to a widespread presence around Italy, significant expertise and technological heritage, Poste Italiane is a driving force behind the competitiveness of the country and a natural partner for the public sector in the development of services for citizens.
ANIMA is a leading Italian independent asset management operator. with more than €95 billion of assets under management (as of January 2018). A synthesis of different complementary paths and specializations. ANIMA nowadays offers one of the largest range of products and services available on the market. ANIMA’s offering is composed of Italian collective investment schemes and foreign SICAVs. The company also offers institutional and private pension funds. as well as private wealth and institutional asset management services. For further information. please visit www.animaholding.it
Source: https://www.posteitaliane.it
1. Delivery choice - Parcel lockers
March 2018
Parcel lockers, autonomous containers that can be used to either receive or send a
parcel, are among the several popular alternative solutions customers can select to
manage their online shopping deliveries or dispatches. For logistics companies,
investment in parcel lockers can reduce costs in the logistics chain, increased delivery
efficiency and generate new market opportunities.
The 2017 IPC cross-border e-commerce shopper survey looked into the delivery
preferences and experiences of over 28,892 frequent cross-border online shoppers
across 31 countries. Seventy-four percent of consumers used delivery ‘at home’ in
2017, slightly lower than in previous year. There were some large differences by
country, notably:
Delivery to a Post Office was highest in Russia (76%), Iceland (67%), Cyprus
(65%), Finland (50%) and Greece (44%)
A postal service point was used most commonly used in Norway (71%),
Sweden (70%), Finland (65%) and Denmark (50%)
An office / workplace was most commonly used as a delivery location in China
(44%) and India (41%)
A courier’s parcel shop was most commonly used in France (54%)
Parcel lockers were most popular in Finland (43%), Denmark (41%) and China
(33%)
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When looking at the types of products bought cross-border, the three most popular
categories - Clothing, footwear and apparel (30%), Consumer electronics (19%) and
Health & beauty (14%) – would mostly fit in a parcel locker. However, the
infrastructure and integration of logistics systems need to be improved to allow for a
seamless cross-border delivery to a parcel locker.
Overall, the preference for parcel locker delivery grew 1% compared to the 2015
results and was preferred on the same level as delivery to retail outlet in 2016. When
looking at the categories of products bought cross-border, the most popular items -
such as Clothing, footwear and apparel (33%), Consumer electronics (21%) and Books,
music and media (14%) - fit in a parcel locker, however the infrastructure and
integration of logistics systems need to be improved to allow for a seamless crossborder
delivery to a parcel locker.
In this article, we present an updated overview of the parcel locker market
development by key players, both postal operators and other entrants.
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Source: Postal operators data, Euromonitor
Carriers
Australia Post
Australia Post launched their parcel locker system in 2014 together with MyPost
Deliveries, a service that gives customers choice over exactly where their parcels get
delivered. By registering for MyPost account, customers can choose their closest or
most convenient delivery point, whether to their home, a post office close to work or a
Parcel Locker, with the flexibility to change it every time they shop. Currently there
are around 200 parcel locker stations provided in partnership with InPost – the details
of the partnership deal are not public.
Le Group La Poste
The roll-out of the French Pickup Station lockers began in 2014, and at the end of 2015,
200 Pickup Stations were operational in France in busy areas of the five largest
cities in France (Paris and the Paris region, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, etc.). New
locations (tramway stations, post offices, universities, hospitals, large retail stores) are
currently being tested. The self-service parcel terminals, supplied by Austrian firm
KEBA, can handle 40-100 parcels/day.
The number of Pickup Stations is scheduled for major expansion in 2016 with an
increase to around 1,000 locations across France in cooperation with technology
partner Packcity, a joint venture with Neopost. Around 6,500 e-retailers in France now
offer parcel delivery through Chronopost or Colissimo to a Pickup Station.
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CTT Portugal Post
In late 2017, the Portuguese postal operator has introduced 5 parcel lockers in Lisbon
for a one year trial – these lockers are provided by a Spanish company which owns
them and collects a fee for every delivery made to it.
Correos
Correos launched the ‘CityPaq’ parcel terminals in late 2014, with plans to install up to
60 terminals, supplied by Austria’s KEBA, during 2015. By early 2018, Correos
reported having over 3,000 parcel locker terminals.
In a pilot project with the Spanish rail operator Renfe, CityPaq self-service parcel
lockers were installed in nine local stations in Barcelona and Madrid. The machines,
accessible during train station opening hours, have up to 80 compartments of different
sizes.
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Deutsche Post DHL
Since the launch in 2001, Deutsche Post DHL has installed around 2,750 parcel lockers
(packstations) provided by the Austrian manufacturer, KEBA nation-wide.
Packstations achieved national coverage by 2010 (approximately 90% of the German
population is able to access a Packstation within ten minutes of their home). Since
2009, the number of large corporations locating packstations at their offices has grown,
increasing accessibility and convenience for employees. Prior registration for receiving
parcels at Packstations is required and includes membership in a loyalty programme.
When purchasing online, consumers insert the shipping address of their chosen
Packstation. Upon delivery of the parcel at the locker, consumers receive an e-mail or
an SMS notification. In order to retrieve parcels, consumers require their smart card
(provided upon registration) and pin (sent with the notification).
The lockers are generally located in high footfall areas, however the company has
installed units in larger companies for their employees to have flexible access to online.
In April 2015, Deutsche Post DHL announced it was partnering with Germany’s
housing company, Deutsche Annington, to install parcel boxes in its apartment blocks.
The boxes are free of charge and can be accessed via an RFID chip or hand scanner.
Using parcel systems from KEBA, Deutsche Post DHL has also expanded in other
countries with 250-300 lockers planned in retail stores in Finland and around 25
lockers in Vienna, Austria. At the same time, using the same system provider KEBA,
Austria Post is developing its own parcel locker network.
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HongKong Post
In May 2016, HongKong Post introduced its parcel locker systems in six locations
across the territory, with three of them open 24/7. The lockers are applicable for the
following mail types: Local Ordinary Mail (Packets only), International Ordinary Mail
(Packets only), Local Parcel, International Parcel, Smart Post Mail Delivery Service
(Packets only), EMS.
Upon receipt of an SMS notification, the delivery is available for collection for four
days. If not collected within this time period, it will be transferred to the nearby post
office for counter collection.
UPS
According to the 2015 UPS Pulse of the Online Shopper US study, more than half of
avid online shoppers, who make two or more online purchases in a typical three-month
time period, are interested in an alternate delivery location with extended hours.
Preference for alternate delivery locations grew nine points (to 35%) in the last two
years according to the UPS study.
To respond to this trend, UPS announced in June 2016 that it would expand its smart
locker programme from nine locations in Chicago to 300 locations nationwide. The
UPS Access Point lockers are alternate delivery locations that are usually outside and
accessible 24 hours a day at convenience stores and other locations. Online retailers
can integrate the locker delivery addresses into their web checkout process to give ‘ecommerce
stranded’ consumers, who live in a residence where front-door delivery is
not possible, a nearby delivery location.
UPS is working with 7-Eleven and independently owned and operated retailers to offer
the locker programme in select areas across the US. The rollout began in June 2016
and initially will be available in Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and
Washington State. Subsequent states are planned to include California, Florida,
Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Texas.
Competing parcel delivery operators have entered the parcel lockers market as well. In
July 2016, FedEx offered 82 parcel lockers in two states: 80 in Texas and two in
Tennessee. Number of Amazon lockers across the US is not shared by the company,
however, based on data per key locations – Los Angeles (19), Manhattan New York
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(20), San Francisco (20), Seattle (13) Washington (20), Amazon has already a
significant presence in this delivery choice option.
USPS
Gopost is the parcel locker system by the USPS introduced in a trial phase in 2012.
The service is currently in the “test” phase according to the Gopost factsheet from the
USPS. Gopost units are being installed near certain Post Office locations, grocery
stores, pharmacies, transportation hubs, shopping centres and other convenient
locations. The units are located outdoors and are accessible 24/7.
Each Gopost unit contains dozens of individual lockers that can be used to receive or
ship packages. Once a customer registers at gopost.com, they will receive an account
number/access card and PIN so they can access the unit. Packages are placed in
available lockers that may accommodate the size of your package. Gopost locker units
can be used both for receiving and shipping packages.
A domestic package will be returned to the sender after 15 days. International packages
will be removed from the unit after 15 days and taken to a nearby Post Office. After 15
days at the Post Office, the package will be returned to sender. International shipments
requiring customs fees are currently not accepted.
USPS package mail classes allowed in the Gopost service include: any Priority Mail®
or Priority Mail Express mail piece; other package types that are at least ¾" (1.9cm)
thick. The Gopost units also accept shipping packages with return labels. There are
three locker sizes at each gopost unit to accommodate various sizes of packages with
the largest locker being 12" (30.48cm) x 15" (38.1cm) x 18½" (46.99cm).
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Non-carrier players
Amazon
UK
There are over 600 Amazon Lockers in the UK with locations ranging from Shopping
Centers, Business Parks, Petrol Stations and Convenience Stores to Transport Hubs,
Universities and Corporate HQ's. Amazon Locker offers daily deliveries, seven days a
week, which can be tailored to the opening hours of the location if required.
France
In France, self-service parcel terminals have been installed at various hypermarkets in
recent months and the company plans to install 500 lockers across the country “very
quickly”, including 64 at Auchan stores by the end of June.
Germany
Amazon is actively looking at introducing parcel lockers in Germany in competition to
DHL’s Packstations and following their launch in the UK and France. Amazon is
already testing lockers for staff at its offices and logistics centres across the country.
Munich and Berlin, where the company now has its own delivery operations, could be
the first two cities where the self-service parcel terminal would be trialled.
InPost
InPost is an independent postal services provider in Poland which offers secure
electronic parcel services via its Paczkomaty facilities. Each parcel station has 76
locker boxes in three sizes, accessible 24 hours, 7 days a week. Users must register in
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order to access the parcel locker service. Consumers can select a Paczkomaty delivery
from selected e-retailers with parcels ready for collection within 48 hours. SMS
notification is provided including a delivery code, which together with the user’s
mobile number is required for collection.
Additional services include insurance and pay on delivery service. Registered users can
also send parcels to registered receivers from a locker facility. Proof of posting and
scanning barcode facilities are available to track and trace parcels. InPost now has its
parcel terminals in ten different countries – Australia, Chile, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus,
Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, Russia and Spain. The company has
investment from Pinebridge Investments to help fund its EUR 300m plans to install
16,000 parcel terminals in Europe by 2016.
UK
InPost’s UK network of parcel lockers is now over 1,000 lockers. All of InPost's
lockers are located at a variety of safe and secure locations including Morrisons
supermarkets, Esso petrol stations and transport for London sites as well as outside
retailers such as Toys R Us. The UK network is open to all operators and is currently
offered as delivery option by UK Mail, DX, DHL Express and APC Overnight. Thanks
to investments in refining its technology, InPost UK reduced the access procedure time
to seven seconds.
France
InPost France makes provision for the deployment of 900 'Abricolis' lockers at
Leclerc's outlets, including 400 by the end of 2016. Leclerc has several e-Commerce
sites including those for over-the-counter drugs, wine, sports gear, electronic
appliances and spectacles.
InPost’s plans to have around 2,000 lockers in service nation-wide by 2018. InPost will
also complement the well-developed and proven network of Points Relais created by
Mondial Relay, with a strong territorial network by providing a thousand of automated
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lockers by the end of 2016. They will rival networks used by Amazon, DPD, DHL and
other parcel carriers.
Mondial Relay will use InPost’s expanding French network, which is timetabled to
reach 1,000 locations by the end of this year, as an additional delivery option alongside
its 5,300 Point Relais parcel points. In 2015, InPost also signed a deal to set up lockers
at Total petrol stations.
InPost’s lockers have also been installed by postal operators in Saudi Arabia, Australia,
Chile, Italy, Ireland, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Estonia, Russia, Cyprus,
Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and also Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala
and Malaysia.
Source: International Post Corporation
2. Alibaba invests a further $2b in Lazada to accelerate the
region's e-commerce
March 18, 2018
Alibaba Group said Monday it will inject a further $2 billion into Southeast Asian
online shopping giant Lazada as part of the group’s ongoing effort to accelerate the
region’s e-commerce development.
The latest move will deepen Lazada’s integration into the Alibaba ecosystem and
brings Alibaba’s total investment in the e-commerce platform to $4 billion. In 2016,
Alibaba acquired control of Lazada with an investment of $1 billion and boosted its
stake to 83 percent in 2017 with another investment of $1 billion.
“The investment underscores Alibaba’s confidence in the future success of Lazada’s
business and the growth prospect of the Southeast Asian market, a region that is a key
part of Alibaba’s global growth strategy,” said Alibaba in a statement.
Lucy Peng, who currently serves as Lazada’s chairwoman, will assume the
additional role of chief executive officer. Peng, one of the 18 founders and a senior
partner in the Alibaba Group, said the region is a hot spot for growth and exciting
opportunities.
“With a young population, high mobile penetration and just three percent of the
region’s retail sales currently conducted online, we feel very confident to double down
on Southeast Asia,” said Peng. “Lazada is well-positioned for the next phase of
development and of Internet-enabled commerce in this region.”
Lazada founder Max Bittner, who has served as the CEO since 2012, will take on the
role of senior advisor to Alibaba Group to assist in the transition and future
international growth strategy.
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“Alibaba’s new commitment of capital and resources is good for Lazada and good for
the Southeast Asia e-commerce market,” said Bittner.
Launched in 2012 and headquartered in Singapore, Lazada is the leading online
shopping and selling destination in Southeast Asia, with presence in Indonesia,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The platform now has over 145,000
local and international sellers, as well as 3,000 brands. It also serves more than 560
million consumers throughout the region.
With a population of 650 million people and a fast adaptability to internet, the region
represents an immense potential for online retail businesses. According to a report by
Google and statement from Singapore investment vehicle Temasek, the region’s
internet economy is slated to hit $200 billion by 2025.
In Aug 2017, Alibaba also invested $1.1 billion in Tokopedia, Indonesia’s largest
online marketplace.
Source: https://www.ipc.be
3. USPS Safety Ambassador Program
March 16, 2018
The APWU was informed on October 26, 2017 of the Postal Service’s intent to roll out
a new program called the Safety Ambassador Program. The Postal Service intends to
replace the safety captain program, and any other local safety programs, with this
“standardized” and nationally controlled program. The American Postal Workers
Union does not support, agree with, or endorse this program.
Using their latest catch phrase—employee engagement—the Postal Service claims that
this program “will focus on employee engagement, training, communication, hazard
identification/abatement, and accident reduction.” Having a safe workplace is every
worker’s right and you must fight for that right! However, the Safety Ambassador
Program appears to be nothing more than an end-around our currently negotiated joint
union-management safety procedures.
We have multiple issues with the program including, but not limited to, the following:
Rather than encouraging that safety hazards be reported on PS Form 1767, the
Service encourages “verbal” reporting of hazards where there would be no record or
tracking of the hazard. Written records are the basis for showing the hazard was
reported.
Ambassador selection would be at sole discretion of installation head (manager,
postmaster) without any union input. Many locals have elected officers and
appointed officials who are responsible for safety. We also have reports from the
field that management has instructed those making selections to specifically avoid
using union representatives and “agitators.” It has been reported that the Postal
Service is encouraging its managers to select employees who are not active in their
unions as ambassadors.
Ambassadors are supposed to be “volunteers.” However, multiple reports from the
field are showing that employees are being forced to become Ambassadors.
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Local Safety and Health Committees are not part of the program.
Ambassadors would participate in creating Job Safety Analysis (JSA) which is
currently the function of Article 14 Safety and Health Committees.
Ambassadors will be observing their coworkers, telling them they are being unsafe,
and providing feedback and coaching to them, as well as reporting back to the
supervisors on their coworkers’ actions.
Ambassadors will be trained on the use of the USPS Safety Toolkit which again is
in the purview of the Safety and health Committees.
The APWU has initiated an Article 19 appeal to arbitration on the implementation of
this program (Q15C-4Q-C 18055498). We believe the Service has violated Article
5 Prohibition of Unilateral Action (past practice of safety programs and failure to
negotiate), Article 14 Safety and Health, Article 19 Handbooks and
Manuals, ELM Chapter 8. Questions on the dispute should be directed to the Article
14 officers at headquarters, Lynn Pallas-Barber and Terry Martinez. Copies of all
relevant documents were sent to the NBAs in the field.
We request that any local or state organization that has Safety and Health Committees
immediately file a grievance that the Safety Ambassador program is a violation of
Article 14 and the negotiated Safety and Health Committee processes as well as Article
1 Union Recognition - that the APWU is the exclusive bargaining representative for
those we represent. Safety programs are subject of bargaining and the union must be
included in the decisions about any safety program. Grievances should also be initiated
where employees have been involuntarily required to act as ambassadors. No one is
required to be an ambassador and they can decline the offer to be one. Any grievances
on this issue held, pending the Article 19 appeal, must be held at Step 3 only, to
provide better tracking.
The APWU believes strongly that your workplace must be a safe place to work. We
believe bargaining unit member participation is important to a safe work place and that
we all need to act together to make sure it is. As an individual and in groups you
should be able to feel that you can act through using 1767s, workroom floor actions,
and filing grievances. You should not have to go through a management-appointed
intermediary in order to have a safe workplace!
As the Postal Service remains the most dangerous place to work of all federal agencies
in the country, we must fight for our rights to have fair, reasonable, and successful
safety programs. The Safety Ambassador Program does not fit that description as it
was fully developed and implemented by management while completely ignoring your
union.
Source: https://www.apwu.org
4. EU to add new rules and website for cross-border
parcel delivery. March 16, 2018.
March 16, 2018
The European Union is to implement new rules with the purpose of making crossborder
parcel delivery more transparent.
As part of a broader package of new e-commerce rules designed to make buying and
selling across the EU easier for consumers and companies, the plan is to provide
UNI Apro Post & Logistics
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regulatory oversight for cross-border tariffs, so that the cost of sending between certain
EU countries is not inordinately higher than it is for domestic deliveries.
While the European Commission states that it is not proposing caps on delivery
prices—except as a possible last resort—it will provide national postal regulators with
the data to monitor and check the affordability of cross-border markets.
It will also publish the tariffs of providers, “for a predefined list of most used services”,
to increase transparency and competition, making them available on a price
comparison website.
These changes follow the results of a public consultation which found that over two
thirds of consumers did not make online purchases because cross-border delivery costs
were too high—on average 3-5 times higher than domestic services. Consumers and
small businesses in remote areas were particularly affected.
Service providers will also be required to disclose to national authorities their turnover,
number of parcels delivered, number and status of employees, complaints handling
procedures, and information on subcontractors—unless they have fewer than 50
employees and operate in only one country.
The proposed rules await the endorsement of the EU Council of Ministers before they
are put into action.
Source: https://www.transglobalexpress.co.uk
5.CORREOS hosted the "LIGHTest" Congress in Seville
March 14, 2018
LIGHTest" is a European technology research project in which companies from
16 countries work with the aim of designing a reliable infrastructure for
electronic transactions.
Seville, March 14, 2018. - CORREOS hosted the " LIGHTest" Congress in its main
building in Seville, on Avenida de la Constitución 32 .
"LIGHTest" is a European project coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institute, a
benchmark for technological research, in which the postal and parcel company
collaborates with companies from 16 different countries. This initiative is based on a
European digital system and its translation for its understanding with other American
and Asian systems, with the aim of designing a global trust infrastructure for electronic
transactions that distinguishes a safe operation from a fraudulent operation.
Every six months, a follow-up committee of this project, composed of 40 technicians,
meets on a rotating basis in the different participating countries and on March 6, 7 and
8 was held at the headquarters of the CORREOS Zone Directorate of Seville.
In this project, CORREOS is the test bank of the "LIGHTest" developments, since it
has an online identification system, Correos ID , and other digital services such as My
Notifications and My Mailbox, supported on advanced systems for connected devices.
to networks like the internet.
For CORREOS, participating in this type of activity shows its commitment to
innovation and the promotion of entrepreneurship to explore new business routes, and
to modernize and improve the services it provides.
Source : http://www.correos.es