New Zealand Post backs e-commerce organisation, with online shopping “coming of age”

New Zealand Post has said it is using its resources and connections to help e-commerce businesses to thrive. The company has announced a founding sponsorship agreement with the new industry body Ecommerce New Zealand.

The contribution is designed to help the new organisation make it easier for Kiwi companies not already online to get started, and to help companies gain and retain online customers.

It said New Zealand businesses could add $34bn to the national economy if they made more effective use of the Internet.

The New Zealand Post executive general manager for ecommerce and customer solutions, Sohail Choudry, said the adoption of e-commerce by companies in New Zealand was low compared to other countries.

But, he said this was now starting to change.

“Online and mobile shopping is coming of age in New Zealand and New Zealand Post is uniquely placed to help companies develop their ecommerce operations to meet the growing demand,” he said, adding that New Zealand Post has so far only “scratched the surface” in helping to connect businesses and help them grow.

Growth in mobile commerce in New Zealand is soaring, with 655,000 people shopping on their smartphones last year, 127% more than in the previous year, with 414,000 shopping via a tablet, a 73% year-on-year increase.

Choudhry said New Zealand Post, including its CourierPost unit, has refocused the way it packages its services and global networks to customers to support this growth. This includes free, smart online tools, such as addressing or tracking notifications tools, managed warehousing, sea and airfreight, specialist Customs clearance and in-market distribution.

“We provide full supply chain services – including demand generation, supply chain management and after sales and loyalty support,” he said.