With Christmas still a few weeks away, Australia Post has set a record for parcels processed across a weekend, and is set to notch its biggest week ever, demonstrating its readiness for the peak Christmas period.
On the back of the shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Australians clicked into a frenzy online, with eCommerce up 39 per cent year on year for the sales period and an estimated 5 million parcels processed over the weekend.
The sales push has extended through the week and Australia Post is still delivering record volumes, and on current estimates, this week will be the biggest in Australia Post's history.
Australia Post Group Chief Operating Officer Bob Black said it again showed not only how much Australians have embraced relatively new shopping international shopping traditions, but that Australia Post's investment in its network has paid dividends.
"Right across the country we've had new facilities and new automation come online just in time for the peak period, and this weekend, we've been able to process more parcels than ever before," Mr Black said.
The new facilities include the Brisbane Parcel Facility in Redbank, which is the biggest mail facility in the southern hemisphere and is already processing over 300,000 parcels a day.
"We've also recruited more than 3000 new staff in the leadup to Christmas, helping us deliver Christmas cheer and be part of our biggest Christmas ever," Mr Black said.
On Black Friday, more than 2 million parcels were delivered – up 18 per cent on Black Friday 2018, and on Cyber Monday, it was more than 2.5 million parcels – up by 12 per cent on last year's effort.
There were also 300,000 parcels delivered across the weekend, and almost 400 tonnes of freight uplifted across the air network, capitalising on the additional six aircraft in the dedicated freighter fleet, brining capacity to 15 freighters.
Australia Post has invested heavily in its network, with a national $900 million three-year investment in infrastructure and automation to strengthen its growing parcels business.
In the leadup to Christmas, Australia Post has also extended trading hours for almost 190 of its post offices across the country.
Along with extended trading hours, Australia Post customers also can collect their Christmas gifts at a free 24/7 parcel locker in over 350 locations across the country, and can track their deliveries online.
Extended trading will continue until Sunday, December 22. For more information visit www.auspost.com.au/Christmas
