La Poste signs agreement regarding outlets managed by shopkeepers
La Poste, the French postal service operator, has signed an agreement with the association of the French chambers of industry and commerce, the permanent assembly of professional associations and the confederation of tobacco sellers regarding postal outlets that are managed by shopkeepers. The agreement allows shopkeepers to offer most of the services provided by a post office, including the sale of stamps, the dispatching of packages and registered letters and some financial services. Shopkeepers will not be able to set their own prices, but will be paid 250 euros a month for providing these services, compared with 130 euros at present, and will also receive commission of between 3 and 5 per cent on the turnover that they achieve on postal services. There are already 600 outlets of this kind in France, following the launch of these services in 2003. In particular, the system has developed in rural areas. La Poste says that the latest agreement is not exclusive and that shopkeepers will simultaneously be able to operate ‘points verts’ offered by French bank Credit Agricole, which allow customers to withdraw cash. The company is now aiming to sign agreements with major retailers.
Le Monde, 2/6/05
Jean-Paul Bailly, chairman of the French post office, La Poste, yesterday signed a framework agreement with representatives of France’s shop-keepers and small businesses concerning the sub-post offices operated on their premises. The sub-post office initiative, which was launched in 2003, has so far resulted in 574 such outlets. Most of them are located in rural areas or on the outskirts of cities and towns and, according to a survey conducted by the pollster Ifop on behalf of La Poste, 91 per cent of those affected by them are happy with the service.
