Australia Post to update stores for e-commerce

Australia Post has announced plans to update its retail stores and offer additional online-focused services.

Updated Post Shops will offer an ‘eBay corner’ designed to help e-commerce merchants post orders, as well as an area dedicated to travel services and a ‘private lounge’ to help customers carry out more complicated transactions relating to financial and identity services with help from Australia Post Staff.

New stores will have a 24/7 parcel pick-up area for customers, as well as stamp and packaging vending machines, and a self-service terminal that allows customers to weigh, pay for and post parcels.

Ahmed Fahour, CEO of Australia Post, claimed that the plans marked the first of a number of pending transformations to make Australia Post shops more focused on customers and e-commerce.

“Our retail network is key to our strategy,” said Fahour. “The community is changing and we are changing our stores to meet their needs. Our customers have told us they want more options in how they interact with us, so we will be providing them with greater access, convenience, and choice in how they do business with Australia Post.”

Brisbane’s General Post Office (GPO) will be the first site to receive the updates.

“The Brisbane GPO store will enable us to find out firsthand from customers about what services they use and like, which will help us develop future concept stores across the country,” said Christine Corbett, executive general manager of retail services for Australia Post.

The announcement comes just days after Australia Post joined up with online payments giant PayPal to support its government-sponsored education roadshow.

Australian Post also revealed that it is experiencing mail delays as a result of the Chilean volcanic ash cloud that is affecting air traffic. Mail-in and out of Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Tasmania, New Zealand, and Buenos Aires may be delayed.