FSP applauds the Post Office’s lethargic ability to move with the times. We see today that about 650 of the 1,400 delivery offices across the UK will stay open until 8pm on Wednesday evenings and 2pm on Saturdays for those who are not at home to receive items during the day. Bravo! Not quite the major supermarket stance of 24 hour opening, but a step in the right direction of keeping up with the times and the needs of the consumer.
But the worrying part is captured in this quote from the Post Office’s Mike Brown: “With online sales continuing to grow, this initiative demonstrates our determination to develop products and services that help both retailers and their customers have greater choice and control over the delivery of items.”
Our own MD, Geoff Nicholson recently noted “The migration of shopping away from town centres is accelerating. It is going to the more efficient and convenient supermarkets, to out-of-town retailing and to the internet. Without action, the UK will follow the United States into suburbanisation with largely lifeless town centres”
Our SnapShop data shows us just how many retailers now have a transactional website – and we barely touch on those who are solely online (N Brown owns 33 of them!). So, for those with bricks and clicks, the multi-channel offer should enhance the high street by selling the in-store experience, as well as offering the convenience of online shopping. Retailers need to focus on why their customers should visit the store by making it an enjoyable event, not a chore. Then the Post Office can return to the dark ages!
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