Buildings should get ready as Australia Post prepares for growing parcel volumes

Proptech company, Groundfloor™, says Australia’s buildings should get parcel-ready after Australia Post announced last week it will spend $1b to prepare for faster-than-expected parcel delivery volume growth.

Groundfloor™ Director Lauren Melton says managing parcel deliveries is a growing challenge for Australia’s high-density developments.

“Some property managers have told us they’re already spending up to four hours a day managing parcel deliveries,” Melton said.

“For many residential buildings, more than 50 percent of deliveries fail.”

Melton said on-premises parcel lockers which allow any courier to deliver provide the missing link in the B2C parcel delivery chain.

“Delivery companies have attempted to solve problems by asking the customer to go the last mile themselves – often to a public locker bank. This solution plays an important role but is unsustainable for smaller couriers and just isn’t customer-centric.”

“With private parcel locker technology, consumers see themselves as part of the solution. Their private locker system in their building lobby allows every delivery to be left on the first attempt, with every transaction fully traceable. These systems rid us of ‘Sorry We Missed You’ cards.”

Melton explained consumer demands were also driving changes in the commercial sector.

“There is a growing trend for employees to direct private parcels to the workplace. More and more employers are understanding the need to allow this,” she said.

Melton said commercial offices found the low costs of establishing the parcel management service made it a more attractive choice over increasing mailroom labour.

“Commercial properties are choosing to absorb the negligible cost of automated parcel locker systems rather than scale up mailroom labour, offering the systems as a workplace amenity similar to a gym or end-of-trip facility.”

“Compared to other workplace amenities demanded by the modern employee, they’re very good value and are paid for in reduced overhead and improved workplace productivity.”

“In the residential sector, costs of a Groundfloor™ system equate to about a cup of coffee per month per resident. That’s for unlimited parcel deliveries.”

/Public Release.