By Aimee Chanthadavong
In Australia Post’s last financial report, it announced that it saw a historic decline in letter volumes as electronic substitutions were becoming more prominent.
As a result, it has shifted its focus, joining the online boom. Australia Post has partnered with eBay to offer eBay sellers a simplified packing and posting deal.
Co-branded 500g and 3kg satchels will be available exclusively to eBay members with flat-rate pricing. They have been developed to address three major areas of concerns identified by eBay sellers – security, ease and cost of sending items.
Speaking to Retailbiz, Australia Post spokesperson said the company has realised it cannot continue to rely on mail as its core business and thought eBay would be a good fit.
“Letters will always be an important part of our business, but we cannot rely on it to be the power-base of our revenue as it was in the past. The effect of falling mail volumes has been felt around the world, and was partly due to the 2008 Global Financial Crisis which not only dulled economy activity but accelerated the switch to cheaper digital communication options, such as email,” the spokesperson said.
“The partnership between Australia Post and eBay is a natural fit. It represents the coming together of the largest bricks and mortar retail presence in Australia and the most popular online sales channel in Australia.”
The launch of the new 'eBay' satchel follows the roll-out of Australia Post's Click & Send service to the eBay community, enabling online sellers to organise labelling, tracking, pick-up and delivery of goods with the click of their mouse.
“Click and Send was integrated with eBay earlier this year, enabling our suite of international parcels services to be processed online, including documentation, payments and the option of courier pickup and management of shipment details,” the spokesperson said.
According to the spokesperson, this direction is part of the company’s Future Ready business renewal program, which was introduced in April. It will focus on four key areas – Post Services; Distribution & Express Services; Retail Services and eServices.
“Under the new Future Ready business renewal strategy, we’re expanding our focus into new e-commerce initiatives and introducing convenient and secure ways for all Australians to find suitable goods and services online, pay for them and have them delivered securely.”