‘Busiest Christmas ever’: Australia Post delivering more than two million parcels per day
More packages have moved across the country than any other festive period as Australians’ online purchases soared.
If the overflow of parcels rushing through Australia Post’s mail rooms is any indication, Australians are enjoying a record online spending spree this Christmas.
More packages are moving across the country than any previous festive period.
Latest figures from the postal service’s Inside Australian Online Shopping update reveal online purchases made in November were up 55 per cent compared to last year, with 30 per cent of shoppers buying online more than once a week.
Top purchases include games, fashion and apparel. Sales of pet products are up 82 per cent, home and garden accessories are up 50 per cent and online purchases from major retailers including Officeworks, Kmart and Big W have almost doubled.
Australia Post executive general manager of community and consumer, Nicole Sheffield, said the company made more than 13 million parcel deliveries during December — the busiest month in the organisation’s 211-year history — and it’s expected to double this week.
“Australians have increasingly embraced online shopping like never before,” she said.
“We’re delivering a minimum of 2.5 million parcels everyday and have employed an extra 5000 people to help with deliveries. We’ve also put 3000 more vans on the road.”
Preliminary figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show a 13.2 per cent year on year increase in retail trade for November.
“It’s an incredible result and ensures there’s good momentum for sales heading into Boxing Day and beyond,” Australian Retailers Association CEO Paul Zahra said.
“We’re expecting Australians to spend $19.5 billion in the post-Christmas sales — that’s an increase of 3.9 per cent on the previous year.”
At a time when distance is the norm, Christmas greeting cards are selling well as Australians look to reconnect with family and friends.
And all letters to Santa are being directed to the North Pole, with thousands of children sending out their wishlists to the big guy in red just in time for Christmas day.
“A lot of Aussies are getting ready to ship cards out to all of their loved ones and spread messages of hope and joy,” Ms Sheffield said.
So far Australia Post has received 80,000 Santa letters, and it’s expected to increase this week.
Mabel Smith, 7, has been counting down the days to Christmas since October.
“Writing to Santa is such a lovely tradition that all kids find really exciting,” mum Gemene Heffernan-Smith said. “There’s something so enchanting about sharing your hopes and dreams in writing.”
Originally published as ‘Busiest Christmas ever’: Australia Post delivering more than two million parcels per day