We are recording the dynamics of product sales in our branches
Postal sales are a key area of Poczta Polska's operations. The company's offices and branches offer a wide range of products, including stationery and office supplies, special occasion items, impulse items, games and toys, books, and seasonal products. The products offered at post offices are enjoying significant and growing popularity, not only in locations where shops and retail outlets are scarce.
Last year, customers purchased nearly PLN 350 million worth of products at post offices. Data for the first half of this year indicates that the Company will achieve positive growth in product sales in 2022.
These positive results are the result of offering evaluation and adapting the product range to customer preferences. Year-over-year, the company recorded one of the highest sales growth rates – approximately 140% – in the sales of special occasion goods. This product group includes, for example, accessories and personal goods (e.g., wallets and handbags), regional items, souvenirs, and decorations.
Poczta Polska recorded sales growth of approximately 120% in the stationery and office supplies and impulse goods categories. The latter group includes beverages and sweets, teas, cosmetics, and batteries. The company also saw sales growth in categories such as books, postcards, and household goods.
In addition to regular product categories, post offices also offer seasonal items. This year, these include maps, guidebooks, postcards, regional magnets, sunglasses, beach toy sets, and mosquito repellents. These items are available in tourist destinations, among others.
Trading through post offices is a long-established area of Poczta Polska's operations. Historically, a wide variety of items have been sold here. These have always included basic necessities, as well as special occasion and seasonal products. Poczta Polska is no exception. Additional products – not just those related to postal services – are sold at post offices in many countries.
Currently, goods purchased at post offices are most often purchased by people who live in smaller towns, don't shop online, or want to see the product before purchasing. Post offices are also frequented by people who enjoy shopping at smaller locations close to home and support Polish businesses.
It's worth noting that, starting in 2017, Poczta Polska's sales operations were streamlined and centralized. Nearly two thousand poorly selling items were removed. Thanks to the introduction of evaluation, professional product design, and limiting the product range to products that are popular with customers, Poczta Polska is generating profits from sales at its branches. This significantly supports the maintenance of its network of post offices and branches.
It's worth noting that the company is legally required to maintain branches throughout the country, regardless of their profitability. Due to the year-on-year decline in letter volume, which was previously the main source of income for Poczta Polska, nearly 80% of its post offices and branches are generating losses. Product sales are one of the key factors limiting the negative financial consequences of maintaining an unprofitable branch network.
Poczta Polska is currently systematically expanding and modifying the product range at its post offices. The commercial offerings vary depending on location, size, region, customer needs, and season.