Post Danmark restructures under-used mailbox network

Post Danmark is changing the structure of its network of red mailboxes, because it says mailboxes are now being used “very little”. Some mailboxes that are not being used very often are to be taken down, while others will be emptied at new times, Post Danmark said.

Some poorly-performing mailboxes will simply be moved to better locations, it added.

The changes have already been made in large parts of Zealand, while in other parts of Denmark the changes are being implemented this week.

Martin von Horsten, head of distribution at Post Danmark, said: “Over the past decade, the number of letters have roughly haled – and in this time we have not adjusted our mailbox network.”

Fixed and variable

Post Danmark said going forward, it will have two types of mailbox on its network – mailboxes with fixed collection times each day, and mailboxes for which collection times will vary.

More mailboxes will also be collected at the weekend.

Mailboxes will show whether they are emptied each day, or if not where the nearest daily mailbox can be found, and what time collection occurs each day.

Danes will also be able to find their nearest mailbox through the Post Danmark website.

Von Horsten said: “Although we are now changing the number of red mailboxes, we will continue to have a comprehensive network. And, meanwhile we do allow customers to hand letters to their local postman.”

Post Danmark, part of Swedish-Danish operator PostNord, has seen a 11% drop in its mail revenues so far this year, compared to the first half of 2011, with the company predicting that its mail volumes will fall about 12% this year compared to last year.