Austrian Post has unveiled plans for more partner outlets in rural areas following the recentapproval of a new postal law forcing it to extend its retail network.
Under the postal law approved last November, the number of postal service outlets in Austriahas been fixed at 1,650, which is 150 more than in the past, and Austrian Post must gain officialapproval before replacing an unviable post office with a partner agency. Moreover, 90% of thepopulation in urban areas must have access to postal services within a radius of 2 kilometres,while a radius of 10 kilometres applies to rural areas.
The national postal operator has now presented its ‘Post.Partner Concept 2010’, which itdescribes as the first cornerstone of its drive to improve customer service. The new plan takesaccount more strongly of customer demands for greater accessibility and improved opening hours ofpostal service points, particularly in rural areas.
Within the framework of its partner campaign, Austrian Post said it is making an offer to allmunicipalities to establish a postal service point in every municipality. Austrian Post willcooperate with the Austrian Association of Municipalities and the Austrian Federal Chamber ofCommerce to find new ‘Post.Partners’ (partner-operated postal service points) throughout thecountry. There are 2,357 municipalities in Austria, according to the association.
At present, Austrian Post operates 1,133 own branches and 419 postal service points throughpartners. More than 200 partner-operated service points have been opened since the summer of 2009alone. Since last year the partner agencies, who are local service providers such as grocerystores, tobacconists and pharmacies, have offered the same services as a small postoffice.
The Post.Partners are paid commission for the mail volumes they handle, including €0.20 perposted letter, €0.98 per accepted parcel and €0.72 for each parcel given to the intended recipient.In addition, Austrian Post pays IT costs of €800 a year on average, offers an annual quality bonusof up to €3,000 and generates an average of €15,000 in additional revenue from the sale ofpost-related services.
“This represents the first step in our programme to provide more service and expandedcustomer proximity on the part of Austrian Post”, said CEO Georg Pölzl. “We want to ensurethat Austrians are provided with modern postal services in a service-oriented manner and on anationwide basis, exceeding the requirements stipulated by law. For our customers, this will meaneven more service, shorter distances and longer opening hours.”
“We want to open up new postal service points, not close any down,” stressed HelmutMödlhammer, President of the Austrian Association of Municipalities. “Our goal is to have a postalservice point in every municipality, also at locations where one did not exist beforehand.” Thiswould not only meet legal requirements but also stimulate development in rural areas, he added. Theassociation will actively support the search for new postal partners.
