Last Mile Brief 26/01/2023: Deutsche Post denies it has plans to stop delivering letters
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In today's Last Mile Brief, Deutsche Post denies claims it is mulling over an end to its universal service, Amazon staff in the UK go on strike, and the negative headlines for both the Royal Mail and Evri continue.
Today’s headline story: Deutsche Post denies it has plans to stop delivering letters
Deutsche Post has denied claims made in a Die Welt report that the company was looking into scrapping its letter delivery service.
In the aforementioned article, published on Tuesday, it was claimed that Deutsche Post was planning to withdraw from its universal service.
As a provider of this universal service, Deutsche Post is obliged to deliver everywhere in Germany. However, by providing such as service, the company need not pay sales tax on revenue made from the delivery of both letters and parcels.
If Deutsche Post were to abandon its universal service, the state would need to find an alternative suitor. It is feared that this could see costs rise, while it is unclear which private operators would be both interested and able to carry out such a service.
Deutsche Post has nonetheless denied the claims.
According to a company statement cited by Market Screener, Deutsche Post says it intends to continue delivering letters and parcels throughout Germany. It has no plans to withdraw from the so-called universal service and wants to “continue to make this important contribution to the basic service”.
Europe round up
- Amazon warehouse staff in the UK have explained why they have decided to take part in strike action.
- A MoneySavingExpert poll of UK consumers has ranked Amazon as the most highly rated parcel delivery company, with Evri coming in last.
- Customers at McDonald’s UK branches have taken to social media to complain about the constant flow of express delivery riders negatively impacting the ordering and dining experience of the patrons in the restaurants themselves.
- The chief executive of Royal Mail has been accused of giving inaccurate evidence to a committee of MPs and been recalled to face further questions.
- On February 2, the European Parliament is scheduled to vote on whether to reopen plans on a report that could reclassify millions of independent couriers as employees.
- Spanish express transport company SEUR has announced plans for a new 3,500-square metre logistics centre in Las Salinas.
- Belgium is preparing legislation to tackle labour exploitation in the postal sector.
- Google and Reliance Retail-backed online grocery platform Dunzo has laid off about 3 per cent of its total workforce.
- Colruyt’s autonomous micro-van has delivered its first groceries to homes in Belgium.
North America round up
- Amazon has paid $116.6 million for nearly 400 acres near the Intel site in New Albany, but isn’t saying what it plans to do with the land.
- FedEx has collaborated with Mori Notes to breathe new life into old uniforms as part of its sustainability initiatives.
- A DoorDash driver has expressed shock after a customer placed an order from the McDonald’s location across the street from their house.
News from the rest of the world
- Gig-economy riders working for India’s express grocery delivery companies have complained of having their accounts blocked without good reason.
- Shares of online food delivery aggregator Zomato tumbled nearly 15% to Rs 44.35 in Wednesday’s trade after the company relaunched its Gold subscription programme.
- Roofoods has been advised on the voluntary administration of its Australian subsidiary, Deliveroo Australia.
- The Philippine Postal Corporation has again warned against the proliferation of fraudulent activities by “Mr. Vishing”, which uses telephone calls in the guise of the Post Office.
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