La Poste posts €11.9bn revenue for H1 2017
Le Groupe La Poste has reported that its consolidated revenue for the first half (H1) of 2017 was €11,905m, up around 1.1% on last year. In a statement issued today (1 August), La Poste said that it had turned in a “good performance” in the the express and digital services businesses, and parcel revenues were on the up.
There had been a downward trend of net banking income for La Banque Postale, which La Poste said should be viewed “in the context of persistently low interest rates”.
Picking out some of the H1 highlights, La Poste said it had strengthened its international express business through acquisition, joint ventures and expansion in Italy, Russia, Spain and Portugal.
The company added: “Urban logistics is another major strategic priority for which La Poste is designing a model for responsible delivery to city centres. In relation to this, as the head of a consortium, La Poste obtained a public service concession contract for the MIN (Marché d’intérêt national – national interest market) of Toulouse.”
Focusing more closely on the performance of its divisions, La Poste’s H1 statement reported a continuing decline in mail volumes and increased profits for the parcel sector players, Colissimo, GeoPost and DPD.
“The Services-Mail segment reported a small decline in revenue (-0.6%) to €4,927 million,” said La Poste.
“The decrease in addressed mail volumes (-6.8%11), combined with a mild unfavourable mix/product effect was partially offset by several positive developments: the price increase at 1 January 2017 (+3.2% on average), the impact of election-related mail (presidential and legislative elections, +€71 million), international expansion (+€22 million), and the creation of new services (+€15 million), such as the written driver’s licence exam (+€10 million).
“The subsidiaries positioned in the direct marketing, logistic solutions and e-logistics, eco-mobility and silver economy markets posted an 11% increase (+€30 million).”
Turning to the parcels business, La Poste continued: “Revenue for the Parcels segment (Colissimo) increased by 5.0% to €830 million, driven by rising volumes (+7.7%11). The very slightly positive price effect was absorbed by an adverse price/customer mix (including in particular the increase in volumes for major key accounts).
“The GeoPost business unit, which operates under the DPD brand deferred and express parcel market in France and abroad, continued its strong growth with revenue up 9.7% to €3,256 million (+8.1% at constant scope and exchange rates). This performance was driven by rising volumes (+9.3%12 with 587 million parcels delivered during the period). Price and fuel effect had a +0.7% favourable impact on revenue. All countries saw their organic revenue grow, including the UK (+8.7%), Poland (+18.6%), Germany (+5.9%), Spain (+7.7%) and Russia (+15.9%).”
