NZ Post to pilot unlimited multi-brand delivery service

New Zealand Post will soon pilot New Zealand’s first multi-brand subscription parcel delivery service, Shipmate.
In return for an upfront payment, shoppers will be entitled to an unlimited number of purchases with no delivery fee from participating online retailers.
“We’re excited about this new innovation in the New Zealand market and are delighted that four of The Warehouse Group’s brands will be the first to offer the service to their customers,” said NZ Post’s head of Customer Strategy, Brendan Thawley.
He added that the move is a result of NZ Post listening to its customers and developing new initiatives to create value for them.
“A shared problem for both parcel senders and receivers is that often consumers want to buy small things online but the cost of shipping is too high relative to the purchase,” Thawley said. “We’re working to deliver solutions for both of these groups.”
Pejman Okhovat, CEO of The Warehouse and Warehouse Stationery, said the move forms part of The Warehouse Group’s mission to become New Zealand’s leading online retailer.
“Customers have been asking us for better online delivery options, and along with our two-hour delivery trial earlier this year, we’re looking forward to further improving our offering with more developments to be rolled out in the coming months,” said Okhovat.
The service is starting small – a two-month trial with a maximum of 5,000 customers – and away from a peak period such as Christmas to give NZ Post and The Warehouse opportunity to learn more, Thawley explained.
Eligible deliveries will include those for personal use, below 0.125m³ and 25kg, and South Island or rural addresses and not covered at this stage, and NZ Post has invited residents to sign up online.
While the Shipmate service is targeted at the domestic market, NZ Post is also working with New Zealand companies to help them grow their export markets, Thawley says.