Consumer Parcel volumes on the rise

Finnish consumers expect to receive a markedly larger total volume of parcels during next year. Although they still prefer to collect their parcels from the post office, where they receive personal service, home delivery is becoming increasingly popular. The internet is mostly used as a channel for distance shopping. These findings are based on a survey commissioned by Finland Post.

By and large, consumers expect that the total number of parcels they will receive during the next year will rise by nine per cent. The robust growth displayed by the European consumer parcel market in recent years, spurred by increasing online shopping, would also seem to be in the offing in Finland. In this respect, men, residents in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and young people aged 15–24 showed the greatest expectations for growth.

The internet has become the most popular channel for orders in distance selling, beating conventional order forms and telephone orders. However, before placing an order, consumers use various channels in an effort to receive information on products.

The popularity of home deliveries continues to make strong headway among all consumer groups. In 2006, the Post’s Home Delivery service recorded 60 per cent growth and the growth rate for the first few months of 2007 was even higher. Almost half of respondents rate home delivery among the two most popular methods of receiving parcels. In their opinion, home delivery is not only easy and convenient but also saves time. Those living in remote areas far away from services and with no car of their own also look favourably on this service.

Through the Post's Home Delivery service, the addressee receives a phone call to agree on the delivery time, which is from Monday to Friday between 9am and 9pm throughout the country. The Post’s home delivery network covers all 2.4 million households in Finland. Several supplementary services are available for home deliveries, such as installation and recycling services.

Increasingly, consumers tend to collect their parcels from the post office, where they receive personal service. The Post boasts the most extensive service network in Finland, covering over 1,200 post offices and sub post offices from which people can collect their parcels.

The annual number of parcels received by Finns totals 27 million, the number of parcels sent as letter mail accounting for some 10 million.

With almost 1,350 respondents over 15 years of age, this survey of consumer parcels was conducted in GallupKanava by TNS Gallup in early March.

For further information, please contact:

Kirsi Paakkari, Business Director, tel. +358 (0)20 451 7774, kirsi.paakkari@itella.com