The state-owned postal service company Itella is continuing to scale back its network of its own post offices and sub-post offices that are operated in connection with other businesses.
At present there are fewer than 1,000 post offices and sub-post offices around Finland. Twenty years ago there were well over 2,000.
Now the company plans to set up hundreds of delivery pick-up points and parcel delivery automats in the coming years. Currently there are just 11 pick-up points and 50 machines. By the end of the year there will be 41 pick-up points and 100 parcel machines.
The pick-up points operate in connection with kiosks, where customers can pick up parcels and buy stamps, even in the evenings and on weekends.
The parcel delivery automats, which are manufactured by an Estonian company, can be used for both sending and picking up parcel deliveries.
With its new types of service points Itella hopes to boost its competitiveness in the parcel delivery branch. It is also looking for more cost-effective ways to provide services in remote areas.
Under the law, all residents in Finland are entitled to a postal service location at a reasonable distance.
One of the options under consideration would be setting up mobile service points that would make rounds in the countryside.
Such a roving service point could also offer municipal services, which means that local authorities could share in the costs.
