1、2023POSTAL RETAIL NETWORKSTurning a burden into a competitive advantageThe digitalization of the economy is profoundly changing trade.Traditional retailers must transform to survive reduced foot traffic and sales.Postal operators that have not yet outsourced their branches face the same problems as

2、retailers,amplified by the progressive disappearance of mail,the growth of virtual banking,and the digitalization of a substantial proportion of counter operations.A deep transformation is necessary.In this Viewpoint,we share how retail networks,once transformed,could represent major assets for post

3、al operators by differentiating their value proposition in e-commerce and taking advantage of the increasing constraints of urban logistics.AUTHORSEdouard MoulleGiancarlo AgrestiAchraf JoumaaFrancois-Joseph Van AudenhoveVIEWPOINTPOSTAL RETAIL NETWORKSREINVENT OR DISAPPEARTraditional retailers do not

4、 have many options.They have expanded their sales channels by combining physical commerce and e-commerce into a coherent whole.Now,physical stores are evolving beyond these diversified sales channels by offering several initiatives aimed at incrementing their purposes or functions.These evolutions f

5、all into three notable categories:1.Logistics.Traditional points of sale are no longer solely distribution points for products;they also function as logistics points for e-commerce with multiple functions:click and collect,pick up/drop off(PUDO)locations,shipping from store,and returns.2.Format.The

6、shift of sales toward online transactions has led to smaller store formats.However,the physical nature and formats of stores are evolving into showrooms that integrate brand corners,offer ephemeral or seasonal sales,etc.3.Customer experience.These evolutions aim to take advantage of the physical wor