Australia Post is gearing up for a bustling holiday season, promising to deliver millions of parcels across the country. In a unique initiative, the mail carrier has introduced a ‘pick-me-up’ service designed to support small business owners.
Throughout October and November, Australia Post will roll out its first-ever mobile coffee van, delivering complimentary coffee to small business operators along the East Coast of Australia. The service is provided in collaboration with Merlo Coffee, a family-run business based in Queensland and a valued customer of Australia Post. The aptly named ‘pick-me-up’ van commenced its two-month journey last week in Moorabbin, a suburb of Melbourne, and is set to travel through various locations in the city.
This week, the van will make stops in popular regional spots in Victoria, including Geelong and Bendigo, before heading north to serve both regional and metropolitan areas in New South Wales and Queensland. A complete schedule of the van’s locations and times can be found on the Australia Post website.
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday on the horizon and Christmas shopping already in progress, Australia Post aims to provide a boost to busy small business owners through this coffee initiative. Aimee Dixon, Australia Post’s General Manager of Enterprise Brand and Retail Marketing, expressed the company’s understanding of the pressures that peak seasons can bring.
“We know very well how overwhelming peak season can be for businesses because we go through it too,” Dixon stated. “We wanted to create a moment for our customers to take a quick break. It’s nice to take a breather before getting right back into it,” she added, reflecting on the motivation behind the free coffee van.
Dixon also acknowledged the vital role small businesses play in supporting the Australian economy and the e-commerce sector. “This is one small way of saying ‘we see you and thank you’,” she remarked.
However, this initiative comes amid significant concerns regarding the future of many licensed post offices across the nation and recent price increases for businesses sending parcels through Australia Post. For many small businesses facing one of the toughest retail seasons in years, the free coffee may not alleviate the broader economic challenges. Deloitte has characterized the current economic landscape as an “economic horror show,” leaving many owners anxious about what lies ahead.
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