BIEK emphasizes the importance of parcel services during the renewed lockdown

The Federal Association of Parcel and Express Logistics (BIEK) points out that parcel services will also be a support during the second lockdown of the Corona pandemic. They also make some demands to ensure that operations can handle the expected surge before Christmas.

(Berlin) In response to the hard lockdown agreed upon by the federal government and the federal states, and the closure of retail until January 10, 2021, Marten Bosselmann, Chairman of the Federal Association of Parcel and Express Logistics (BIEK), states the following:

“We expect that due to the lockdown, the already very large parcel volumes in the days leading up to Christmas Eve will continue to grow. However, it is not possible to make an accurate forecast of what impact the closure of large parts of retail will have on online shopping and the associated shipment volumes. Our member companies remain confident that they can reliably deliver shipments even during the Christmas season, provided that the infection situation does not worsen significantly and the weather cooperates.

Parcel shops should remain open during the lockdown

In this context, it is also important that as many parcel shops as possible for all parcel services can remain open. They enable – in addition to delivery and pickup at the doorstep – the quick and uncomplicated parcel supply for the population. Parcel shops are thus clearly businesses that are necessary for basic supply. Especially in times of crisis, parcel services are more important than ever.

The parcel industry has proven in recent months that it can handle consistently high shipment volumes as well as relatively sudden peaks in volume – as seen in the first lockdown: Our member companies have maintained stable supply chains throughout the entire duration of the Corona pandemic and have provided the population with goods and necessities. Our member companies are also prepared for the current Christmas business – the industry has hired around 30,000 additional workers and deployed additional vehicles to manage the increased volumes associated with the Christmas business.

Resources at their limit

Nevertheless, personnel resources, sorting, and loading capacities are of course limited at a certain point. Moreover, the health of employees is the top priority for our member companies. For this reason alone, personnel increases at the locations while simultaneously adhering to hygiene protection standards are only possible to a limited extent. Our member companies are in constant exchange with retailers to coordinate which order quantities are feasible.”

Photo: © Adobe Stock

www.biek.de