THUNDER BAY – Millions of people are taking to shopping online. This is causing major delays and backlogs for shipping companies.
Canada Post says that Canadians should anticipate parcel delays for the foreseeable future.
UPS and Purolator and DHL are all seeing similar increases in volume.
The level of online shopping has also had an impact on the availability of many products. Computers, video and audio gear are often on backorder due to the massive numbers of people working remotely from home.
Canada Post deliveries are currently at record levels. As Canadians continue to ramp up and diversify their online shopping, Canada Post is responding to unprecedented parcel volumes while maintaining important physical distancing measures in all our facilities. Processing record parcel volumes in plants that were never designed to keep people two metres apart takes more time.
Record parcel volumes and bulky items
Canada Post states the company is delivering record numbers of mail, especially parcels, but is also handling a wider variety of items. With parcel deliveries growing at a record pace from April to May, Canada Post hit an all-time, one-day record on Tuesday, May 19 with 2.1 million parcels delivered to Canadians. That’s roughly three times the norm for this time of year. It’s not just the volumes that are causing challenges, the number of larger household items, like mini-fridges, patio furniture and barbecues coming through our network has also increased. These bulky items often require a two-person lift which creates additional safety challenges and delays.
Shopping local is an option and often right now it appears many people are not remembering their local retail outlets.
Our economy is being hit hard right now with many businesses, especially the restaurant and entertainment sector along with the transportation sector expecting losses at major levels.
In Thunder Bay, the owner of one local entertainment outlet tells NetNewsLedger that their business has been decimated and that with social distancing the bar and entertainment sector is going to have a long way to go to recover.
For many in Thunder Bay who have parcels waiting for them at Ryden’s Border Store, the company advises that with the border still closed they are looking toward a June 22, 2020, potential opening. Packages shipped to the border are being held for customers by Ryden’s.
