Parcel and Postal Technology International
  • News
    • A-E
      • Automation
      • Business Diversification
      • Construction / Development
      • Cross-border
      • Delivery
      • E-commerce
      • Expo
    • F-O
      • Freight
      • IT & Systems
      • Last Mile
      • Lockers / PUDO
      • Logistics
      • Mail
      • Operations
    • P-R
      • Packets
      • Parcels
      • Peak
      • Retail
      • Returns
    • S-Z
      • Sorting Systems
      • Staff / Personnel
      • Sustainability
      • Technology
      • Vehicles / Fleet
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • March 2025
    • September 2023
    • June 2023
    • March 2023
    • December 2022
    • SHOWCASE 2019
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Analysis
  • Awards
    • 2025 Awards
    • Previous Winners
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Parcel + Post Expo
LinkedIn YouTube Twitter
  • Sign-up for Breaking News Emails
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
Subscribe
LinkedIn Facebook
Parcel and Postal Technology International
  • News
      • Automation
      • Business Diversification
      • Construction / Development
      • Cross-border
      • Delivery
      • E-commerce
      • Expo
      • Freight
      • IT & Systems
      • Last Mile
      • Lockers / PUDO
      • Logistics
      • Mail
      • Operations
      • Packets
      • Parcels
      • Peak
      • Retail
      • Returns
      • Sorting Systems
      • Staff / Personnel
      • Sustainability
      • Technology
      • Vehicles / Fleet
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. December 2024
    2. September 2024
    3. June 2024
    4. March 2024
    5. SHOWCASE 2019
    6. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    April 2, 2025

    In this Issue – March 2025

    Online Magazines By Web Team
    Recent

    In this Issue – March 2025

    April 2, 2025

    In this Issue – December 2024

    December 5, 2024

    In this Issue – September 2024

    September 19, 2024
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Analysis
  • Awards
    • 2025 Awards
    • 2024 Award Winners
    • 2023 Award Winners
    • 2022 Award Winners
    • 2021 Award Winners
    • 2020 Award Winners
    • 2019 Award Winners
    • Previous Winners
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Parcel + Post Expo
LinkedIn Facebook
Subscribe
Parcel and Postal Technology International
Opinion

A postal operator’s top 10 tips for working with retailers

Paul Taylor, head of sales and marketing UK, Spring Global Delivery SolutionsBy Paul Taylor, head of sales and marketing UK, Spring Global Delivery SolutionsAugust 10, 20165 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

Paul Taylor, head of sales and marketing UK, Spring Global Delivery Solutions, provides 10 pointers to help improve working relationships between posts and retailers

With the e-commerce market in Europe expected to generate €509.9bn (US$570bn) of revenue this year – 12% growth on last year – postal operators are feeling bullish about cross-border deliveries. But long-term success will depend on their ability to be an integrated part of the retailer’s team, helping to fulfill customer expectations. Here are my top 10 practical tips:

1. Tailored service

Pick up any marketing magazine from the past year and you’ll find the phrase ‘personalization’ being used. If retailers are seeking to build customer loyalty by personalizing the shopping experience then postal operators need to respond likewise. This means offering deliveries and returns that are personalized or tailored to the convenience of individual shoppers. Postal operators have to grasp that for the retailer, customer loyalty comes down to increased choice for the customer.

2. Visibility on deliveries and returns

Smart postal operators are the ones working smarter by embracing new technologies to support their retailer’s business. The majority of customers want fast delivery and they want to be kept aware of where their goods are in the supply chain. Likewise, if returning goods, they want to know when those goods have been received and their payment refunded.

At Spring we are using technology to ensure visibility and data capture all along the logistics chain. Integrated carrier platforms, RFID, GPS, smart sensors and SMS messaging are all changing the way we do business.

3. Take away the burden of sortation and other time-intensive work from the retailer

Retailers should be able to concentrate on what they are good at doing – providing the product. They don’t want to waste their staff’s time on detailed inventory and sorting packets and parcels before handing them over for delivery. That’s the post’s job.

4. Fast returns ensuring better stock management for the retailer

While customers want fast delivery, retailers will often want fast returns. Some products are seasonal, so it’s important that they are returned quickly to the warehouse to be restocked and resold before seasonal demand drops. Postal operators need to have a greater appreciation of the type of products they are sending and returning so that they can serve retailers better.

5. Understanding the peak times for the retailer, and the postal operator planning accordingly so that capacity is there

We all know that the run up to Christmas is a peak period for many retailers, but if you are a company stocking swimwear then the spring and summer can be just as busy. Postal operators need to align themselves much more with their retailers so that they have the capacity for handling their peak times.

6. Data is king

Retailers need to examine data from their multiple channels to ensure they are fulfilling customer expectations. Postal operators have a part to play in this as they have access to valuable data that helps retailers construct an accurate picture of their business. This includes information on how quickly products are getting to their customers, how often they track the products, and the frequency, amount and speed of returns. What is particularly exciting to the retailer is that the postal operator will have this information on a country-by-country basis.

7. Local knowledge

Most postal operators have been in business a long time. Excuse the old saying, but they have been there, done it and got the T-shirt.

Advising the retailer on the best delivery options and routes for countries and what customers in those countries expect from deliveries and returns is essential to getting the customer experience right and gaining customer loyalty.

8. Other related services to support retail sales

Don’t forget mail. Post can still help in promoting goods as well as transporting them. Retailers are increasingly using direct mail as customers become deluged with emails and can easily delete a promotion. Postal operators should seek out cross-selling opportunities that add value to the retailer’s marketing and sales operations.

9. Integrate platforms so that sales, deliveries and returns run smoothly

Integrating carriers with fulfillment platforms gives retailers information on what needs re-stocking and where, and the patterns of delivery and returns. But it also means that the postal company’s delivery and returns information can be available up-front to the shopper before they proceed to the checkout. That means there is more chance the customer will buy rather than abandon their purchases. Too often customers will shop with a competitor selling the same products because they have a clearer returns policy on show before checkout.

10. Know the business the retailer operates in so that there are no sudden surprises internally or externally (new laws, tax issues)

Postal operators should operate as an extension of the retailer’s business, offering advice on country tariffs, rules and other factors that will affect cross-border delivery and returns.

Bio:

Paul Taylor is the head of sales and marketing for Spring Global Delivery Solutions UK, where he has responsibility for UK sales and marketing strategy and business development. Paul has a wealth of international mail experience having worked 16 years in the mail and logistics industry. Paul held the positions of CEO and CFO with Swiss Post UK, the position of finance director with DHL Global Mail, and most recently deputy CEO and CFO with Asendia UK.

August 10, 2016

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleUPU unveils online tool for helping posts reduce their carbon footprint
Next Article Whistl to upgrade delivery fleet in US$4m deal

Related Posts

Opinion

OPINION: How Chinese CEP giants are shaping the future of Europe’s last-mile logistics

May 14, 20255 Mins Read
Opinion

OPINION: The impact of open smart locker networks on the future of parcel logistics

April 23, 20254 Mins Read
Opinion

OPINION: The challenges of expanding out-of-home delivery in the UK

April 2, 20255 Mins Read

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Latest News

Yeep! rolls out 1,000th locker in the UK

June 13, 2025

Sameday acquires private courier Cargus

June 13, 2025

THG Fulfil to increase sorting capacity with 430 Libiao robots

June 12, 2025
Getting in Touch
  • Contact Us / Advertiser
  • Meet the Editors
  • Download Media Pack
  • Breaking News Emails
Our Social Channels
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
Supplier Spotlights
  • SEW-EURODRIVE GmbH & Co KG
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Notice & Takedown Policy
  • Site FAQs
© 2025 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie records the user consent for the cookies in the "Advertisement" category.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie records the user consent for the cookies in the "Analytics" category.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional1 yearThe GDPR Cookie Consent plugin sets the cookie to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie records the user consent for the cookies in the "Necessary" category.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie stores user consent for cookies in the category "Others".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie stores the user consent for cookies in the category "Performance".
elementorneverThe website's WordPress theme uses this cookie. It allows the website owner to implement or change the website's content in real-time.
JSESSIONIDsessionNew Relic uses this cookie to store a session identifier so that New Relic can monitor session counts for an application.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

CookieDurationDescription
__cf_bm30 minutesCloudflare set the cookie to support Cloudflare Bot Management.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

CookieDurationDescription
CONSENT2 yearsYouTube sets this cookie via embedded YouTube videos and registers anonymous statistical data.
uidsessionThis is a Google UserID cookie that tracks users across various website segments.
vuid1 year 1 month 4 daysVimeo installs this cookie to collect tracking information by setting a unique ID to embed videos on the website.
_ga1 year 1 month 4 daysGoogle Analytics sets this cookie to calculate visitor, session and campaign data and track site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognise unique visitors.
_ga_*1 year 1 month 4 daysGoogle Analytics sets this cookie to store and count page views.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

CookieDurationDescription
OAGEOsessionOpenX sets this cookie to avoid the repeated display of the same ad.
OAID1 yearCookie set to record whether the user has opted out of the collection of information by the AdsWizz Service Cookies.
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE5 months 27 daysYouTube sets this cookie to measure bandwidth, determining whether the user gets the new or old player interface.
YSCsessionYoutube sets this cookie to track the views of embedded videos on Youtube pages.
yt-remote-connected-devicesneverYouTube sets this cookie to store the user's video preferences using embedded YouTube videos.
yt-remote-device-idneverYouTube sets this cookie to store the user's video preferences using embedded YouTube videos.
yt.innertube::nextIdneverYouTube sets this cookie to register a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen.
yt.innertube::requestsneverYouTube sets this cookie to register a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen.

Others

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

CookieDurationDescription
VISITOR_PRIVACY_METADATA5 months 27 daysDescription is currently not available.

SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by