CONTINUED demand in online shopping is primarily driving up parcel volume for An Post staff in Letterkenny’s sorting office.
Hardworking staff at the Carnamuggagh-based facility are carefully sifting through festive parcel and letter deliveries to ensure they reach their recipients before Christmas.
With post-pandemic online shopping continuing to prove popular locally, as well as the success of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, the Letterkenny sorting office has seen a continued rise in the number of parcels it is dealing with.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Paul Herrity, Delivery Services Manager at Letterkenny sorting office, said parcel volume is up around 15 per cent this year.
“The volume of parcels and packages has seen a very steady rise since the beginning of the pandemic when volume soared up to between 230 and 250 per cent. Parcels are up another 15 per cent on the previous year and we are putting that down to the convenience of online shopping.”
Asked if he shopped in store or online, Mr Herrity said he “still likes to frequent the odd shop”.
The 72-strong staff in Letterkenny’s sorting office are working tirelessly to ensure that everyone receives their festive post and gifts this Christmas.
“We estimate we will be dealing with in excess of 800,000 items in Letterkenny and that number can be multiplied by three for the entire county. As well as our local staff, we have staff in sub offices and lorry drivers, all of whom are going above and beyond as they do every year.”
Mr Herrity said that while there has been a gradual decline in the volume of letters being posted, Christmas cards can often enjoy a late surge.
“We have seen a decrease of five to 10 per cent on letters in the last year. There has also been a decrease in Christmas card sending over the years but the last few weeks of Christmas tend to see a flurry.
“The volume of Christmas cards really doesn’t ramp up until the last two weeks before Christmas.
Mr Herrity said strikes by Royal Mail during the month of December will have an affect. Royal Mail workers are striking for most of December in a dispute over pay .
“It will impact on us at some stage,” he said
Mr Herrity also gave a gentle reminder to children posting last minute letters to Santa in the North Pole.
“We urge all children sending their letters to Santa to ensure that their letter has a postage stamp on it and a return address as all letters should have, and we will post it to the North Pole to reach Santa in time.”
While the hours are long at Letterkenny’s sorting office with staff working round-the-clock, Mr Herrity said Christmas is also a very special time for workers.
“Christmas is a different for An Post staff. It’s always very busy but we really enjoy this time of year. It’s very important to us that we get everyone’s cards and parcels delivered and on time safely.”
He paid tribute to his staff in Letterkenny’s sorting office.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to all my staff for their hard work throughout the year, it is very much appreciated and I wish them all a very happy Christmas and New Year.”
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