Officeworks is diversifying its revenue streams, using its store network and existing postage product range as the foundation for a new Australia-wide parcel delivery service which launches today.
The service, known as Mailman, lets customers post parcels from the drop-off points inside Officeworks’ stores. The process is largely automated to remove the need for queuing; consumers weigh and measure parcel in store using the equipment provided, purchase the right pre-paid label or print their own label online.
Mailman uses flat rate pricing regardless of destination and provides the option to drop off parcels weighing up to 10 kilos after business hours, seven days a week.
Targeting small business, consumers and online businesses, Mailman only delivers to Australian commercial and residential street addresses, not Australia Post Office boxes or lockers.
Officeworks managing director Mark Ward said parcel delivery was a natural step for the retailer which stocks an extensive range of postage products.
“Mailman is an exciting innovation because it was created in response to customer demand for a parcel delivery service that went beyond what has been traditionally offered.”
The service, which will compete with Australia Post and other courier companies, offers free track and trace and signature on delivery.
“We already support the small business community in Australia with our lowest prices, widest range and great service. The launch of Mailman means we’re making it even easier for businesses that use parcel delivery in the day-to-day running of their business, who already shop with us, to achieve their big ideas.
“Through our retail model and the scale of our network, we’ve been able to meet this demand in terms of price, speed, security and convenience, while adding genuine value to what we do at our stores,” Ward said.
Officeworks is owned by Wesfarmers, which also owns Bunnings, Kmart, Target and Coles, meaning thousands more drop-off locations could be added if the service were to be expanded across the group in the future.