“We're going from 5,000 or 5,200 shipments per day to 11,000 parcels”: Postal workers face the challenge of the influx of packages for Christmas

Les courriers des enfants pour le père Noël sont traités par les postiers. MIDI LIBRE – FABRICE ANDRES

The rise in online commerce is generating increased activity at La Poste, as here in Alès, in the Gard.

At the Rieu mail and parcel preparation and distribution platform (PPDC) in Alès, in the Gard, postal workers are busy. It is in this huge hangar, located in an industrial zone, that all the mail delivered to the post office arrives. The items are then sorted and sent off to their recipients.

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For the past three weeks, postmen have had to deal with an influx of parcels. “We're going from 5,000 or 5,200 shipments per day to 11,000 packages during the three weeks before Christmas,” notes the director of the establishment, Cyril Martin. “To relieve the teams and meet our distribution commitments, we are using around fifteen temporary workers and fixed-term contracts. We also have to rent fifteen vehicles to reinforce the rounds.”

A sharp increase in shipments in December

Some fixed-term contracts are finally made permanent. “In 2024, seven of them were given permanent contracts.” The peak in activity linked to Christmas is taken into account from the start of the school year in September. “Even if everything is generally in order, if we take into account the data from the previous year, we must salute the commitment of the postmen who ensure that all the parcels are at the foot of the tree on the evening of the 24th”, notes Cyril Martin. “We have an increase in parcel traffic of almost 8% per year. But in December we have double the usual traffic.” The development of online commerce and local brands that practice “click & collect” provide business to La Poste. “This year, we're working a lot with the toy stores on the ring road. To satisfy the public, we've extended the opening hours of the Carré pro du Rieu. On Tuesday, December 24, we'll stay open until 6 p.m. to allow latecomers to pick up their last packages.”

And to write to Santa Claus ?

For children, this Friday, December 20 is the last day to send their letter to Santa Claus. “We processed about 300 letters. There is no need for a stamp, but you must not forget to put the address to get a response…” In case of delay, a solution is possible. Santa's secretariat has gone digital. You can send him an email at pere-noel.laposte.fr

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