Australia Post's upcoming pause to eCommerce pickups, collections and business lodgements for eCommerce retailers in Greater Melbourne Metro will unfairly impact small businesses, Sendle CEO and co-founder James Chin Moody contends.
However, the pause only impacts standard Parcel Post and eParcel services, meaning the larger volume and more expensive delivery services will continue.
According to Sendle, this shows that "lower volume senders and small businesses are once again the victims of Australia Post’s stranglehold on the market, deprioritised in favour of larger companies with greater shipping volumes."
Moody added that Melbourne's retailers are already struggling after being closed for hundreds of days during Melbourne's lockdowns.
"With COVID still wreaking havoc on Australian small businesses, Australia Post’s pause on pickups for standard and eParcel services in Melbourne is unfairly penalising small businesses.
"Australian small businesses are already struggling under the weight of a difficult 18 months, and with Melbourne looking at extended time in lockdown, delays like these can greatly impact their ability to survive in the lead up to a very busy Christmas," he said.
Australian Retailers Association CEO Paul Zahra added that Christmas is a key retail trading time for retailers.
"Christmas is the most important time of year on the retail calendar – it’s when most discretionary retailers make up to two thirds of their profits for the year, and it’s crucial that businesses are given every opportunity to...trade at their full potential in line with COVID safety requirements," he said.