Newsagents, especially those with LPOs, ought to read the announcement from Australia Post last week about terms, services and other major developments.
Australia Post has moved to strengthen its vital regional and rural store network by announcing a package of initiatives that includes increased payments to post office operators and wider access to point-of-sale technology enabling customers to access more services.
Their rural sustainability package will be of particular interest:
Offering connection to Australia Post’s electronic point of sale system (EPOS) for 432 LPOs that currently use manual processes. This will allow these stores to offer customers additional services such as payment by credit card or EFTPOS and banking services
Increasing the minimum guaranteed annual payment for LPOs and introducing a minimum payment for CPAs
Increasing payments for providing working space to mail and parcel contractors
Increasing payments for representing Australia Post to the local community
Removing the EPOS transaction shortfall fee
In a move that respects the ownership Australians feel over Australia Post, they have opened an online conversation through which they are seeking feedback on a range of fronts including their announcement last week. Newsagents with LPOs ought to take a look at this as a channel through which to communicate with Australia Post about concerns.
I’ve whacked Australia Post a bit here. This time, however, they deserve kudos and appreciation for how they are dealing with a complex set of challenges. A lesson for newsagents is that Australia Post is publicly embracing change on a range of fronts.
Thanks to Tech expert and commentator Paul Wallbank for the tip on this.