A small revolution could happen in French mailboxes. In its annual report, the Court of Auditors devotes a chapter to “postal service in the face of falling mail”. The financial court indicates that for the first time, the public service displayed a deficit of 365 million euros in 2018. The sector is undergoing profound changes with the digital boom and the opening up to competition in 2011.
The volume of letters has increased from 18 billion in 2008 to almost 9 billion ten years later. The Court of Auditors calls for the “need (…) to carry out its digital transformation”. The stakes are high: La Poste is the second largest public employer in France and employs more than 251,000 people, including nearly 70,000 letter carriers.
Towards an alternate mail distribution system?
To reduce the deficit, the Court of Auditors recommends reviewing the mail delivery model. Today, La Poste delivers the mail every day of the week, except Sunday. The court presents examples of European neighbors such as the Netherlands or Norway, which since 2014 have gone from six distribution days to five, from Tuesday to Saturday.
Another proposal: an alternate distribution system like what is done in Denmark or Italy. In some areas, mail is delivered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The following week, Tuesdays and Thursdays. For its part, Denmark has even completely withdrawn the priority letter “D + 1” from the scope of its universal service.
These possibilities could be envisaged during a progress point, scheduled for 2020, between La Poste and the State for “the preparation of a new strategic plan”, as the report by the Court of Auditors indicates.
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