International Post Corporation (IPC) has joined forces with over 30 posts across the globe to develop a seamless e-commerce delivery network called Interconnect.
This network aims at creating the best conditions for e-shoppers and SMEs to shop and sell online internationally, and for posts to fully benefit from cross-border e-commerce growth.
Ahead of his presentation at POST-EXPO 2017, IPC’s CEO Holger Winklbauer talks to PPTI about the latest changes in e-commerce markets.
What will you be presenting at Post-Expo 2017?
My presentation will mainly focus on the latest changes within the e-commerce markets. With consumer delivery expectations increasing based on their experiences with global e-retail platforms, how can posts meet both consumer and e-retailer demands for low-cost, reliable and tracked delivery of parcels?
What is IPC’s role in global e-commerce?
The role of IPC is to enable posts to fully benefit from the growth of cross-border e-commerce, through common postal standards for global e-commerce; to address large e-commerce volumes, among Interconnect participants and also in particular from Asia; and meet the needs of e-retailers and their customers and address.
Can you describe the current relationship between global e-commerce and posts – is it adequate?
Postal e-commerce volumes are increasing but at a lower rate than the e-commerce market itself. However, posts are still best placed to grow their e-commerce volumes further. To achieve that, it is essential to adapt to new realities and respond to e-retailers and customer needs.
What is the most important thing for the postal sector to do so it can fulfil the global growth of e-commerce?
International cooperation between posts is essential to offer a fully end-to-end postal delivery service globally. Interconnect is a major achievement for postal networks, resulting from joint efforts by postal operators and IPC to agree on common standards for cross-border e-commerce and of major investments to upgrade capacity both at national and international levels. A full deployment of Interconnect and a rapid take-up of its capabilities by participating posts is essential for the sector to be in a position to gain market size and share in the e-commerce market.
September 19, 2017