Royal Mail Sunday Services: The 2014 Parcel Delivery Trial

Back in 2014, Royal Mail announced a trial of Sunday parcel services to keep pace with the rapid growth of online shopping. The trial saw around 100 of its busiest delivery offices open on Sunday afternoons for parcel collection, Sunday deliveries trialled inside the M25, and Parcelforce Worldwide launch its own Sunday service. This guide explains what the 2014 trial involved and why it mattered.

As online sales grew, the volume of parcels being sent across the UK rose sharply. With over 12,000 Post Office branches and 52 Parcelforce Worldwide depots, and a fast-changing delivery market, it made sense for Royal Mail to test Sunday deliveries to keep up with demand.

About the Royal Mail Sunday services trial

Here is what the 2014 Royal Mail Sunday service trial involved.

• Royal Mail opened 100 of its busiest offices on Sunday afternoons so customers could collect parcels.
• The delivery offices with the highest parcel volumes across the UK took part.
• Delivery offices normally open six days a week extended to seven days a week for selected sites.
• Sunday parcel delivery was trialled inside the M25 motorway.
• Distribution networks stayed open for longer at weekends.
• Parcelforce Worldwide opened a Sunday service during June 2014.
• Customers using the Parcelforce Worldwide Sunday service were contacted around 30 to 90 minutes before delivery.

The trial was designed to make it easier for customers who were not at home during the week to receive their parcels on a Sunday instead, offering greater flexibility.

What this meant for customers

By trialling a Sunday service, Royal Mail became more competitive, and customers benefited in two main ways.

• Courier competition – As Royal Mail began its trial, other couriers such as DPD announced Sunday delivery plans, and Amazon started using its own vehicles to deliver in the London area. Sunday delivery meant customers were less likely to receive a ‘while you were out’ card.
• Improved customer service – Customers choosing Parcelforce Worldwide saw better service, including a text 30 to 90 minutes before delivery. Royal Mail also tested a ‘Delivery to Neighbour’ service, which customers liked for the times no one was home.

FAQs

When did Royal Mail trial Sunday parcel services? Royal Mail announced the Sunday parcel trial in 2014, with Parcelforce Worldwide opening its Sunday service in June 2014.

Where was Sunday delivery trialled? Sunday parcel delivery was trialled inside the M25 motorway, while around 100 of Royal Mail’s busiest delivery offices opened on Sunday afternoons for collections.

Did Parcelforce Worldwide notify customers before Sunday delivery? Yes. Customers using the Parcelforce Worldwide Sunday service were contacted around 30 to 90 minutes before their parcel was delivered.