Post Office sees 30% increase in fast track mail service use during Covid-19

• Post Office supports UK’s entrepreneurs with service that enables parcels to be sent quickly
• Feature launched that allows users to sign up online and use their account instantly
• Mobile registration for Drop & Do enabled too

Drop & Go, the Post Office’s fast track service for businesses and online sellers sending parcels, has seen a 30% increase in use since Mid-March as small businesses seek new ways to continue trading during lockdown.

New customers signing up to use the service is 3.5 times higher than the same period last year. The increased sign-ups come as the Post Office has launched a feature that allows users to sign up for the service online and use their account instantly. Previously, customers had to validate their account by presenting their ID at a branch. Mobile registration for Drop & Go has now been enabled too.

Mark Siviter, Managing Director of Mails and Retail at the Post Office, said:

“For small businesses, particularly new ones, being able to get goods out to customers quickly will play a key part in the nation’s recovery from coronavirus. We are here to support the UK’s entrepreneurs. Our Drop & Go service enables them to send their parcels quickly whilst at the same time minimising time spent in our branches and helping us ensure safe social distancing.”

Millions of parcels are processed by the Post Office every week and around 75% of all market place seller items come through the Post Office’s 11,500 branches. The Post Office will be launching an in-branch and digital advertising campaign in June to promote its Drop & Go service.

Burra Bears – the original Shetland teddy bear

Founded in 1997 by mother and daughter duo Wendy and Robyn Inkster, Burra Bears relies on the Post Office to be able to get orders from the Shetland Islands to any part of the UK the next day.

Wendy Inkster, said:

“Having a Post Office on the Shetland Islands that can take our parcels has been an essential part of our business strategy. Without it, our customers would be waiting longer for their orders to arrive. Being able to just drop off my parcels gives me more time to spend on customer enquiries and enables the Post Office to serve those people on the island who really rely on their services.”

The Fairy Nice Trading Company

Founded in 2014 by Caroline Dobson, The Fairy Nice Trading Company relies on the Post Office to be able to get orders of their solid wood fairy doors, measuring 22cm by 12.5cm, and accessory sets to customers in the UK and abroad.

Caroline Dobson, said:

“Operating during the current coronavirus period would have been a challenge had it not been for the support and continuity of service from my local Post Office. Thanks to them we’ve been able to continue to ship worldwide, growing our business and our excellent reputation, despite the otherwise difficult trading conditions.”

How Post Office Drop & Go works

• Create an account at www.postoffice.co.uk/dropandgo
• Bring items to a branch, along with your account number, at a convenient time. Post Office has advised customers to consolidate trips in order to minimise time spent at a branch and help maintain social distancing.
• Post Office staff will weigh and measure items, print and affix postage labels and process the mail. The cost of which will be taken from your account
• Customers can receive an alert when the items have been processed.
• Customers can automatically top up their account online 24 hours a day.

The Post Office alongside Royal Mail and eBay UK have previously issued ten top tips for marketplace sellers.