German Deutsche Post plans more customer-friendly opening hours

Deutsche Post, the German state postal service operator, is reported to have bowed to customer demand, and is said therefore to be planning up to 1,500 new branches in residential areas with more than 2,000 inhabitants. It will limit the reduction of mailboxes to 108,000 units, and more customer-friendly opening hours are envisaged.

The company had been facing criticism over plans for extensive reductions in the number of mailboxes and limits to be placed on services provided in sparsely populated areas. It still does not rule out closures of some post offices, but has agreed to hold talks with local authorities prior to any cuts.