The balance of power is shifting in Britain’s parcel delivery market. And yet again Amazon is the main disrupter as it challenges market leader Royal Mail in what is expected to be one of the toughest Christmases for UK couriers.

With the labour market the tightest in four decades and worker availability expected to determine the success or failure of deliveries this season, Amazon has taken the initiative with bonuses of £1,000 to attract staff.

The US technology giant has also increased its Christmas workforce to about 75,000 people this year, leaping from less than a third of Royal Mail’s peak headcount before the pandemic to almost half the size.

The UK market’s two main groups are both taking on an extra 20,000 seasonal staff to cope with record orders after the online surge during the pandemic as they battle with rivals Hermes, DHL, UPS, DPD and Yodel.

“The issue between now and Christmas is one of labour availability,” said Tom Forbes, senior vice-president of carriers at Metapack, whose software links distribution hubs with delivery companies.

Source: Amazon disrupts as UK couriers prepare for tough Christmas – News Nation USA