Solar-powered postboxes are being rolled out across UK

Faarea MasudBusiness reporterRoyal MailThe new design includes a rectangular photo voltaic panel tilted to the southRoyal Mail is introducing 3,500 solar-powered postboxes throughout the UK, altering the enduring look of the pink pillar bins which have punctuated Britain’s streets for almost two centuries.Within the new design, photo voltaic panels on the highest of the postboxes energy a digitally-activated drawer, permitting clients to deposit small parcels.Objects as giant as a shoebox might be posted within the pillar bins, in what Royal Mail says is the “largest redesign in its 175-year historical past”.The change comes as Royal Mail is struggling within the face of competitors from different supply corporations.The agency, purchased by a Czech billionaire in December, has been fined tens of millions after failing to satisfy letter supply targets.After a profitable pilot that launched the brand new bins in Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, they may now be rolled out to different cities beginning with Edinburgh, Nottingham, Sheffield and Manchester.Two designs have been trialled within the pilot, together with one the place all the spherical lid of the postbox was black. Royal Mail mentioned the agency determined internally that maintaining the highest pink was extra in line with the model.Royal MailThe new design that’s being rolled out is topped with a grid of darkish photo voltaic panels on a white rectangle, which will probably be oriented “due south for optimum daylight”, the agency mentioned.It additionally includes a barcode scanner, which opens a drop-down drawer that’s large enough to accommodate parcels that don’t match within the conventional postbox slot. Royal Mail mentioned clients can use the service utilizing the Royal Mail app, and may request proof of posting, and monitoring of their parcel.The corporate mentioned it was “on a drive” to increase its parcel companies and make them “as handy as attainable”.The rise of on-line buying means click-and-collect companies have skyrocketed in recognition, with venues from native newsagents to petrol stations providing parcel send-and-deliver companies. There has additionally been a proliferation of self-operated lockers in handy areas.”We’re all sending and returning extra parcels than ever earlier than,” mentioned Jack Clarkson, a managing director at Royal Mail. “This development will solely proceed as on-line buying exhibits no indicators of slowing, notably with the growth of second-hand marketplaces.”Royal MailAn various design for the postbox just isn’t getting used extra widelyThe new postboxes are being rolled out over the subsequent few months with Royal Mail hoping it should assist shore up its share of the market.”Our message is evident, you probably have a Royal Mail label in your parcel, and it matches, put it in a postbox and we’ll do the remainder,” Mr Clarkson mentioned.But it surely might not be sufficient to forestall rivals like Evri and Yodel, who typically provide cheaper supply, consuming additional into its enterprise.On-line communication, mixed with extra competitors within the supply enterprise, has already induced its first casualty amongst conventional postal companies: Denmark not too long ago ended its letter deliveries service, PostNord.Royal Mail not too long ago mentioned it should begin to ship second-class letters on each different weekday and never on Saturdays to assist lower prices.