Aramex urges NZ firms to rethink parcel returns plans

Aramex has urged New Zealand businesses to review their parcel and returns arrangements ahead of changes to the NZ Post retail network. The move follows NZ Post's plan to withdraw services from 142 urban retail partner stores nationwide.

The change is set to alter how many consumers send, collect and return parcels in urban areas, while NZ Post's rural network of 567 stores remains unchanged for now. Aramex is positioning its Parcel Connect network as an alternative for businesses and communities that rely on local access points.

Parcel Connect lets customers send, receive and return parcels through approved retail outlets such as cafes and newsagents. Aramex says it already has 150 Parcel Connect agents in New Zealand and is inviting more retailers to join the network as pick-up and drop-off points.

Network shift

The withdrawal from urban partner stores reflects a broader shift in how parcel operators manage physical networks, particularly as online shopping keeps demand for delivery and returns services high. For small businesses, the key concern is whether customers will still have nearby places to lodge parcels, collect deliveries and process returns without added travel or delays.

Mark Little, Regional Director, Aramex Oceania, said the reduction in service points would be felt quickly by businesses and customers.

"Customer choice is being reduced to prioritise efficiency, even as expectations for fast, easy parcel access remain high," Little said.

"When service points vanish, small businesses - and the customers who depend on them - feel the impact immediately."

Aramex urged businesses that use retail outlets as parcel hubs, or handle high shipping and return volumes, to assess how the changes could affect day-to-day operations. It also advised companies to review delivery flows and consider alternative sending and returns options before the NZ Post changes take effect.

It pointed to AramexConnect, its online shipping platform, as one option for businesses managing dispatch online. Retailers such as convenience stores and petrol stations can also apply to become Parcel Connect agents, giving local communities another access point for parcel services.

Retail impact

The planned reduction in urban partner stores could have a broader effect on suburban retail strips, where postal and parcel services draw regular foot traffic. Stores that host parcel services can benefit from repeat customer visits, while neighbouring businesses may also gain from the additional traffic.

Replacing lost access points will depend on how quickly alternative operators can expand local coverage and whether retailers see enough value in handling parcels. For consumers, convenience often depends less on the carrier than on the location and opening hours of the nearest collection point.

Aramex says its New Zealand offering includes services for eCommerce businesses, retailers and companies managing large numbers of returns. It presents the disruption as a reason for businesses to diversify logistics arrangements rather than rely on a single network.

The company operates in more than 70 countries and has been present in New Zealand for four decades. Across Oceania, its regional franchise network supports more than 40,000 business customers.

For New Zealand businesses, the immediate question is how quickly they can adapt to a parcel network with fewer urban service locations. With 142 partner stores set to leave the NZ Post urban network, access to nearby drop-off, collection and returns points is likely to become a more prominent issue for retailers, online sellers and their customers.