City Link invests in extra capacity for forthcoming peak season volumes

British parcels carrier City Link expects its volumes to rise in the upcoming Christmas periodand is preparing for the end-of-the-year peak with a new automated sorting system and detailed

The parcel firm, which experienced one of its biggest-ever Christmas peaks last year, ispredicting a further volume boost with larger consignments and growth in Click & Collectservices for the holiday period 2014-15. In anticipation of increasing demand from retailers duringthe upcoming peak period, the company has put the sorting technology and necessary resources inplace.

Now fully operational, the new automated sortation system is expected to increase the capacityat the national hub in Coventry by up to 50% to cope with the growth in the run-up to Christmas. “One of the main benefits of the new sortation system is that it has been designed to allow theprocessing of larger freight, up to 1.5m in length, through a double deck design,” City Linksaid.

With the increase in online trade, parcel volumes have grown further so that peak flows are evenharder to predict, City Link explained. “As online shopping continues to grow with a strong trendtowards consumers ordering larger, heavier items, carriers need to rise to the challenge to handleall shapes and sizes of consignments. City Link is witnessing strong growth in larger consignmentswith a 15% year-on-year increase in this type of freight.”

In addition to technology upgrades, City Link has started reviewing the risks and likely issuesin the run-up to the peak. To mitigate peak volumes, the planning team is moving postcodes toensure the capacity is spread throughout the network. From 30th November through to 21st December(the last Sunday before Christmas), the company’s parcel collection points will also be opened from10.00- 6 p.m. on Sundays.

City Link has further improved deliveries to customers with the rollout of its “On Our Way”service now being completed across the UK. The service provides customers with an estimatedtwo-hour delivery time slot and the option of re-arranging the delivery in case they can’t be athome. This increases the number of parcels delivered at the first attempt leading to higherconsumer satisfaction.

Click & Collect services are also becoming increasingly important for City Link, especiallyfor the upcoming Christmas period.

Louise Whitehouse, Head of Network Support & Service at City Link, commented: “We aregearing up for peak with the knowledge that there is an emerging trend for larger consignments, andthe expectation of another jump in online sales which always peak at Christmas.

“This year City Link has further invested in the necessary infrastructure, systems and enhancedservices to meet these delivery challenges. An increase in larger, bulkier consignments beingordered on the Internet and the continuing rise in Click and Collect will be two of the mainfeatures of this year’s consumer ordering and delivery experience. As such, we are well placed toensure a high and consistent level of service with the detailed, advance planning we have carriedout together with our new sortation system, equipment and product offerings.”