Express Delivery Prices to Increase During Spring Festival
As the Spring Festival approaches, many express delivery companies are preparing for increased demand during the holiday period. While some companies have announced that they will not close over the Spring Festival, they have also revealed plans to adjust the prices for their services. This has led to concerns from consumers, who may face increased delivery fees and longer delivery times.
According to recent notices issued by several domestic express delivery companies, they will be introducing peak period resource adjustment fees based on weight for different routes from January 17 to February 17. These adjustments come as a response to rising labor costs and operating costs during the holiday season. Zhan Junhao, founder of Fujian Huace Brand Positioning Consulting, explained that price increases are a normal market adjustment behavior based on supply and demand relationships and cost changes.
Yuan Shuai, a senior researcher at the Zhongwu Huicheng Logistics Research Institute, emphasized the need for express companies to comply with relevant local laws and regulations and to notify consumers in advance of any price increases. This ensures that consumers are fully informed and can safeguard their rights and interests. He recommended that express delivery companies publish service announcements and charging standards during the Spring Festival in advance to inform customers of any changes.
With many couriers returning to their hometowns for the New Year, logistics timeliness for express delivery services is expected to be affected. According to Mr. Xie, an express delivery customer, the usual speedy delivery of goods has slowed, leading to delays of up to two days for his purchases. This is due to a labor shortage within the express delivery industry, causing delivery times to be longer than usual.
In light of this, Yuan Shuai suggested that express delivery companies optimize delivery routes and communicate with users in a timely manner in order to prepare for any possible delivery delays or abnormalities. With services being slightly weaker due to the impact of the Spring Festival, it is important for the companies to establish emergency plans and handle abnormal situations promptly.
To address the capacity shortage during the Spring Festival, many express delivery companies are offering incentives to retain couriers and ensure the smooth operation of their services. These incentives include red envelopes, additional subsidies, and increased fees for those who stay on duty during the holiday.
Zhan Junhao recommended that express delivery companies strengthen transportation capacity scheduling and optimize distribution route planning. Additionally, they can recruit temporary or part-time workers and collaborate with other express companies to address the issue of insufficient transportation capacity.
As the Spring Festival approaches, it is crucial for express delivery companies to inform consumers of any changes in services and ensure the smooth operation of their delivery services to protect the rights and interests of both customers and couriers.