Eesti Post postal services division manager Kaido Padar says. 37% of the adult population of Estonia visit a post office 1 to 2 times a year and 26% do not visit one at all during a period of two years.

TNS Emor research specialist Lele Aak explained that the main reason for visiting a post office is to receive parcels (51%). People also go to post offices to buy stamps (40%) and other goods (29%). “If both options would be available, there would be no significant difference in preferring a post office or a parcel machine for sending parcels, yet when receiving, people prefer the machine,” Aak describes the results obtained.

40% in those who answered would like to use a parcel machine for sending parcels, while only 28% would prefer a post office. “Even in rural settlements 36% of people would prefer to receive parcels through a parcel machine, while 25% would favour a post office,” Aak adds. The advantage of using a parcel machine is first and foremost the convenience as well as the ability to receive parcels no matter the time of day.

According to Padar, these changes were relatively expected. “The increase in the number of parcels and the decline in traditional paper mail is a general trend,” Padar states. He points out that Eesti Post is in line with the changes in their user’s needs and continues their efforts to provide their clients the best possible service.

Thus, many services are no longer only provided in post offices, but also online and in stores. The study also revealed that although 40% of the population of Estonia visit post offices to buy stamps, 36% would in fact prefer to do so in stores or shopping centres or kiosks.

“Therefore stamps are already available in 365 points of sale in addition to post offices,” Padar explains.

During the last year only one in four people have sent paper mail (excluding Christmas cards) and only 8% of the population have done so during the last month. As expected, 76% of the respondents prefer to send mail electronically and 70% had not once received paper mail during the last year.

The service of making payments at a post office has been used even more rarely. The service has been used above average by people in rural areas, yet only 5% of even this segment uses the post office at least once a quarter to make payments. 78% of the respondents preferred to use electronic means. Every sixth person would like to use an ATM or visit a bank office for making payments.

Read More

Source: Omniva