By the end of the year, parcel deliverers are busy. The period between Black Friday, late November, and Christmas is their high season. The parcel sorting machines run almost non-stop. This year, the yellow giant processed almost a million parcels a day: postmen delivered some 22 million parcels in the run-up to Christmas, according to Swiss Post.
That is about six percent less than in the same period last year. One reason may be the depressed mood of the consumer. After all, the wallet is no longer so easy due to the high energy prices, the increased health care premiums and inflation. In addition, the Christmas walk was now possible again. Unlike in Corona times, you could stay in the city centers again.
Swiss Post had the most parcels to process on December 20, 2022. On this day, more than 1.2 million parcels passed through the conveyor belts of the sorting plants – more than ever before in 2022. According to Swiss Post, conveyor belts in all regions of Switzerland are rattling to handle this amount – from Cadenazzo TI to Frauenfeld TG and Härkingen SO to Vétroz USA almost around the clock.
23 percent more
In the run-up to Christmas, Swiss Post processed a total of 22.3 million parcels. Although that is 5.5 percent less than before Christmas 2021, the parcel volumes in 2022 are still well above the average daily volumes. And if you compare the number to the same period of 2019, so before the start of the corona pandemic, it is even 23 percent more in 2022.
The number of letters has decreased slightly compared to 2021. Almost 14 million letters, newspapers and advertising mail are distributed by postmen every day.
special operations
The postmen made special efforts to ensure that the packages were under the Christmas tree on time. “Year after year I am impressed and grateful when I see what our employees achieve with high quality standards, especially in the run-up to Christmas.” Without them, Swiss Post would grind to a halt, says Johannes Cramer, Head of Logistics Services at Swiss Post.
Swiss Post employees have also been working on Saturdays in numerous parcel centers for the past four weeks to process the large number of parcels. And: from Black Friday 25 November to Christmas, the Päckli couriers also delivered the parcels to the front door outside the usual range – supported by 500 temporary workers and thanks to around 350 rented vehicles.
22 hours
The conveyor belts of the three large parcel centers in Frauenfeld, Härkingen and Daillens VD run 22 hours a day. (pt)