Estonian National Postal Service Eyes Shopping Centres
Eesti Post, the Estonian national postal service, is moving more of its offices to shopping centres. Of the company’s 63 properties, 29 are currently for sale, reported Õhtuleht. “Our goal is to move our services closer to people. In addition to other services, shopping centers are a very convenient place for postal services,” said Eesti Post communication director Inge Suder. In three years, Eesti Post has sold 43 properties. Representatives say the revenue will be invested into logistical development in Estonia as well as the company’s new markets, Latvia and Lithuania.
In recent years, the company has opened 35 post offices in shopping centers. Another 38 self-service parcel machines have been installed. In February, the head of Eesti Post’s supervisory board said it would be better for rural commercial centres to provide postal services rather than for the company to keep separate post offices open.
On the other hand the government requires that there be at least one post office in every municipality operating for at least two hours five days a week. Altogether, Eesti Post currently has 370 post offices.