However the company revealed this week that it is seeing better times this year, with record volumes which it says are higher than at any point during COVID-19, adding that it is heading for the "busiest peak period in our history."

Reporting its results for the year to 25 February 2023, the parcel delivery giant said that whilst revenue remained virtually unchanged at £1.464m (2022: £1.465m) pre-tax profit tumbled by 56% to £51m (2022: £117m).

The company attributed the profit fall to economic and political factors in the period resulting in “significant inflation, higher interest rates and a weakening of consumer confidence.”

The year also saw greater volatility in customer demand which the company said was driven by continued economic uncertainty and the impacts of the cost of living crisis.

Its strategic review of the results said the company was also hit by the "anticipated post pandemic channel realignment, as physical stores were not subject to lockdown closures this year. As a result, parts of the online retail market have softened compared to previous years.”

Other pressures reported by the company included rising energy, fuel and wage costs, a continuing shortage of resources driven by Brexit and the pandemic, the cost of moving a number of Evri depots and the opening its new Barnsley superhub.

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The end of the Covid-19 lockdowns, during which parcel volumes had soared, also took its toll on the company. The review said: “Parcel volumes were broadly flat year on year against tough comparatives when physical shops were closed and volumes were up around 70% on pre-pandemic levels. This represents outperformance against a market which declined in 2022/23.

It added: “These factors, volatile consumer demand, resource shortages and rising costs have presented challenges across the parcel delivery industry, which have been further exacerbated by the disruption caused by the continued industrial action impacting Royal Mail during 2022/23.”

On the upside the report noted that, despite these challenges, Evri had driven new growth by winning new business and expanding into new markets, which “offset the unwinding of Covid lockdown volumes and the impact of macro-economic conditions on volumes in certain market segments.”

Looking ahead the company said it had continued to perform “robustly” despite challenging market conditions with volumes steady, despite a declining market.

The review concluded that the company remains confident it will see further growth driven by new volume pipelines and aided by “wide ranging” cost savings.

However it also warned that it is “not immune to the macro-economic conditions impacting customer demand and input cost in the short term.”

An Evri spokesperson said: "Our revenue and volume performance last year was robust and we outperformed the sector, a trend which continues as we win new contracts and grow our business into new areas.

"We are currently experiencing record volumes – higher than at any point during COVID-19 – growing at high double-digit rates and we are on track for the busiest peak period in our history.

" Our performance this year has enabled us to increase our investment in customer service and Christmas preparations including the recruitment of an additional 6,500 colleagues.

"The business has tripled in size over the last five years and is expected to double in size again over the next five years, boosted by last year’s opening of our super-hub in Barnsley and as we benefit from the rise of the marketplaces such as Vinted and Etsy.”

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The retail giant is launching the new Automated Vehicle Inspection (AVI) in partnership with tech start-up UVeye in the the UK, the US, Canada, and Germany.

The new AVI technology aims to take the pressure off fleet managers who previously had to rely solely on the human eye and manual inspections for daily safety rounds, and improve the safety of the 280,000 drivers engaged by Amazon's Delivery Service Partners (DSP) worldwide.

Tom Chempananical, global fleet director at Amazon Logistics, said: "One exciting benefit of AVI is the totality of insights the technology gives fleet managers.

"It can keep track of detected vehicle issues and see if they are repeatedly happening on particular routes."

Under the new AVI system, at the end of every route, drivers drive through an AVI archway and over a series of plates equipped with sensors and cameras.

As the vehicle rolls forward at 5 mph, the AI system performs a full-vehicle scan in a few seconds, identifying problems, classifying them based on severity, and immediately sending the results to a computer.

From there, a DSP can determine the fixes and services they need to perform to ensure they have well-maintained vehicles on the road the next day.

The technology was originally invented to scan the underside of vehicles at borders and security checkpoints,but is now increasingly being used to seek more specific and minute details, such as vehicle damage.

AVI relies on machine “stereovision,” meaning that it uses two vantage points to construct a full 3D image, and deep learning, a subset of machine learning in which a layered neural network mimics the learning processes of the human brain.

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Chempananical added: "“We couldn’t simply pull this UVeye solution off the shelf and ask DSPs to start using it.

"Recognising the unique demands of the DSPs’ fleets of more than 100,000 delivery vans globally, we worked directly with UVeye to train the AI models and algorithms in Amazon’s rigorous standards for keeping the wheels turning safely.”

By making inspections faster, more accurate, systematic, and objective, AVI has already found hidden damage patterns. For example, 35% of all issues stem from tyres. These issues include sidewall tears and debris and nails lodged in treads, issues not easily picked up by manual inspections previously.

The system will provide DSPs with notifications to replace tyres before they turn into a bigger problem, preventing a tyre blowout or flat tyre on the road and improving driver and other road users' safety, as well as preventing delays to customers' deliveries.

“The beauty of AI is that each damage is then fed back to an application programming interface (API) that can train models and improve detection accuracy. So, the more AVI is used, the better it gets,” Chempananical said.

The analytics are run through Amazon Web Services (AWS), where the terabytes of vehicle images and data are processed and stored. The output is processed in less than one minute and shared via the API allowing fleet managers to see the detected issues along with photos and repair suggestions.

Other details are also monitored with the digital microscope, including identifying potential trip-and-fall hazards on the cargo steps and spotting hazard light damage.

Amazon aims to extend the use of AVI in the future to support all sorts of delivery vehicles, from bikes to drones, and use it to inspect not only the exterior, but also the interior of the vehicles.

Chempananical said: “The potential for AVI applications is huge. It could also influence Amazon’s routing and geolocation technology for when repeated vehicle damage is reported happening in the same location.”

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ArrowXL makes over two million deliveries on average each year, providing delivery coverage to 98% of the UK population, six days a week. It also offers a variety of in-house services, such as wet connect/disconnect, WEEE recycling and packaging removal.

Scurri provides a last mile delivery service to retailers, through its customisable next generation delivery management software. It offers over 1,000 carrier services and 97% carrier coverage and processes over 100 million orders per annum.

The company has also launched Scurri Track Plus to help retailers boost loyalty and reduce queries through branded tracking communications.

Craig Kavanagh, ArrowXL sales director, said: "This partnership will leverage the unique strengths of both companies, combining Scurri's cutting-edge technology with our extensive expertise in two-person delivery services."

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“Scurri share our passion for innovation and commitment to exceptional customer experience. Together we will address the challenges faced by retailers in meeting the evolving demands of customers in the fast-paced digital era.”

Rory O’Connor, Scurri founder and chief executive, added: "Bulky and large items are often high-touch, considered and expensive purchases for shoppers and ensuring a hyper-convenient, customer focused last mile delivery experience into the consumer’s room of choice is the vital final step in ensuring the highest-quality customer experience possible.”

“We’re delighted to partner with ArrowXL to extend our offering and ensure our retail and brand partners across categories, including homewares, electronics and DIY, can be confident their customers will receive the best possible post-purchase and delivery experience driving increased loyalty and repeat custom.”

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The two Volvo FM electric trucks join the existing fleet, which includes 190 bio-CNG tractor units, 44 vehicles running on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), 168 electric vans and over 20 e-cargo bikes.

The trial, which is due to conclude by the end of September 2023, is testing a Volvo FM Electric 4x2 tractor unit and a 16t rigid, both of which produce zero tailpipe emissions and will be charged at Evri’s hub in Rugby.

The Volvo FM Electric has a load capacity of 23 tonnes, and a battery capacity of 450-540 kWh, which should deliver a 300km range. The vehicle has three electrical motors and performs up to 2400 Nm and 650 hp.

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This latest development follows Evri’s recent announcement that it reduced its operational carbon emissions by 31% since last year and reduced its carbon per parcel by 10% in 2022-23 from a 2020/21 baseline.

Yorkshire-based Evri expects to deliver more than 500,000 parcels with e-cargo bikes this year and hopes to have an alternative-fuel solution in first, middle and final mile.

David Landy, Head of Fleet at Evri, said: “We’re delighted to have the vehicles to try out and learn from them. We’re keen for our site teams to get used to the new technology as we continue to grow a more sustainable fleet. These journeys require an extensive range to maintain efficiency of the parcel journey, so it’s the toughest areas to decarbonise.”

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The new 19 tonne E-Tech D Wide was selected to provide the first net zero delivery service in Cambridge, which supports the city’s sustainability goal in reducing direct carbon emissions from fleet vehicles.

Welch’s Transport has also recently launched its Urban Consolidation Centre (UCC), which aims to make the last mile of deliveries within the city of Cambridge completely emissions-free.

The UCC will minimise the number of heavy goods vehicles operating in the city centre, which Welch's said will potentially reduce the number of vehicle trip deliveries by an estimated 46%.

The new E-Tech D Wide is running between 100-160 miles a day on Welch’s Transport’s network radial work, double running to achieve the higher mileages with a scheduled charge in the middle of the day.

Welch’s Transport worked with Renault Trucks commercial partner, Allports Group, to install a 150kw supercharger on site, the first publicly accessible HGV charging point in the UK, to enable the vehicle to triple run across a 24-hour period and to speed up the installation of charging infrastructure in the region.

Director of Welch’s Transport, Chris Welch, said: “The arrival of our new electric Renault Trucks E-Tech D Wide will help the City Council and businesses in the city centre realise their Net Zero climate ambitions.

"Multi-national transport and logistics companies must account for vehicle range and available charging infrastructure when plotting out electric vehicle routes for cities like Cambridge, and we are ideally positioned to integrate fully electric vehicles into our fleet due to the prime location depot in Duxford and our newly installed charging station.”

He added: “Renault Trucks make up 95% of our current fleet, so it was an easy decision to select their E-Tech.

"We’ve been a Renault Trucks customer and franchise for just over 15 years, operating as a service dealer within the group with the premises based on the same site as our main transport depot.

"We’ve also achieved Renault Trucks EV Truck Service Dealer status, so we naturally wanted our technicians to be one of the first to fully maintain an operational BEV Renault Truck.”

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The new ultra-quiet, 100% electric E-Tech D Wide, features a Bevans curtainside body and Dhollandia 2 tonne slider taillift and is powered by 265 kWh E-Tech traction batteries with four battery packs of 66kW each located in the wheelbase.

The E-Tech also features eye-catching Cambridge-centric skyline livery in “electric” colours and is specified with Global Cab, adjustable roof deflector, ENXL trailer curtains, a five-year subscription to Renault Trucks’ Optifleet telematics system and benefits from a full repair and maintenance contract.

Welch said: “We’re also using the E-Tech to trial Renault Trucks’ Optifleet which gives us additional information on electrical performance and usage, enabling us to understand what the vehicle is capable of and the need to track mpkwh over mpg.”

Welch’s Transport’s operation runs two pallet networks, Palletline and Hazchem, with 15 rigids running radial local miles suitable for BEV transition.

Welch explained: “We worked with the Energy Saving Trust at the end of 2022 where they undertook an electrification study of our main depot assessing the whole fleet transition to EV, the mileage milestones needed for the different vehicle classes, the site’s power and charging infrastructure as well as other steps to help us to move towards Net Zero long before 2050. Transitioning to electric also gives us access to emerging final mile delivery markets that BEV is very suited to.”

Although Welch’s Transport has electric company cars, the E-Tech D Wide is the first HGV on the fleet and it aims to switch its parts, pool and technician vans in its Truck Centre operation to electric in the near future.

Welch said: “We are aiming to drive electrification of the local supply chain by providing urban consolidation services and last mile to Greater Cambridge through fully electric vehicles.

"We are also working with Renault Trucks’ LCV Division, trialling the E-Tech Master OptiModale van and Freegônes e-cargo bike to tackle the “last metre” and HGV last mile deliveries.

"Our aim is to start with trials in Q4 with potential consolidation zones in Cambridge and then deploy an additional number of LCVs and HGVs in 2024.”

He concluded: “The combination of our knowledgeable local drivers, and our new electric Renault Trucks E-Tech D Wide will revolutionise last mile deliveries in Cambridge.

"We can support every business in the city looking to improve their operations and meet their sustainability goals.”

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The new service sees DPD strengthen its relationship with the Post Office following the launch of a click and collect service in 2021 that enables customers to pick up their DPD parcels from Post Office branches, rather than have them delivered to their homes. 

This latest collaboration sees the launch of Parcels Online which allows customers to select and pay for UK and international parcel services online and then drop off the parcels at their nearest participating Post Office branch.

Customers can choose to print the label at home from the website or ask staff in the branch to do it for them. 

At launch, the Post Office will have 3,600 branches live for the Parcels Online DPD service, increasing to 4,000 by September. 

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Neill O'Sullivan, Post Office managing director parcels and mails, commented: "We are very excited to be launching Parcels Online and delighted to partner again with DPD.

“A significant proportion of the consumer parcels market is now purchased online, and we want to be present in that space, with a competitive and appealing offer. 

“I believe Parcels Online is further evidence of our commitment to innovate, invest in new solutions for our customers, drive footfall and remuneration opportunities for postmasters as well as ensure we remain competitive in this market." 

Elaine Kerr, DPD UK chief executive, added: "It is great to be able to extend our partnership with the Post Office.

“The option to collect DPD deliveries from your local post office has proved very popular with our parcel recipients.

“The Post Office brand is trusted by millions of households in the UK and this service will help encourage new customers into the online parcel space as well as providing another option for those already buying their delivery services online, including marketplace shippers." 

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The parcel firm has partnered with electric fleet company Zoomo to operate 15 ‘telematically enabled’ electric delivery bikes in the South London district.

The move follows Evri’s recent commitment to triple its parcel deliveries by e-cargo bikes to over 500,000 within the next year.

The bikes are one of the largest on the market, with a cargo volume of 2,000 litres and a 170kg payload, with 2m3 of cargo space.

Evri said their capacity meant they were potential replacements for van deliveries.

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Nancy Hobhouse, head of ESG at Evri, said: “Research shows that e-cargo bikes deliver goods 60% faster than vans in city centres while reducing carbon emissions by 90% compared to diesel vans and one-third compared to electric vans.

“Partnerships like this are an important step forward as we continue to trial alternative fuels and innovative ways of delivering in the final mile.”

Michael Johnson, Zoomo co-founder, said: “Making the switch to e-cargo bikes for commercial fleets is still in its early days, but there is a clear business case.

“As a customer-led platform, Zoomo wants to accelerate the uptake of these vehicle types for urban logistics with its one-stop-shop solution and flexible financing options.

“By teaming up with Evri and unleashing the power of EAV cargo bikes, we're making big strides in removing fossil-fuel vans from our city streets.”

For more stories tracking the industry journey to decarbonisation see our new Freight Carbon Zero website.

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The Deeside site is the first depot the group has launched in its new financial year and joins another nine depots which were opened by DX in its previous financial year, which ended on 1 July 2023.

The Deeside depot will serve the group’s parcels operation - part of the DX Express division which provides highly secure, tracked deliveries both to businesses and consumers.

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The 9,900 sq ft site is located on the Sandycroft Industrial Estate, situated to the east of Deeside town centre and eight miles from Chester with close transport links to the A55 North Wales Expressway and the M56.

DX Group said that, in addition to providing additional capacity, the new depot will help boost the division’s operational efficiencies, and its service levels, offering earlier deliveries and later collections, and local customer services.

The group is also planning further investment in its depot network this financial year, which is the final year of DX's current three-year, £20m-£25m investment programme in its delivery network, fleet, parcel-handling mechanisation, and new technology.

Paul Ibbetson, DX Group chief executive said: "We have substantially expanded our depot network over the last two years and this latest addition further increases our capability in the North West and North Wales. It is also in addition to the 15 former Tuffnells sites that we are in the process of taking on.

“As well as delivering additional capacity, the investments will ensure that we maintain our very high customer service levels as we continue to grow the business. Service is integral - and critical - to our ongoing successful growth and development."

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The funding, which will see 53 new electric vans added to the fleet, is the group’s second major round of funding in electric vehicles for its IKEA contract.

It follows the launch of an initial tranche of electric vans for IKEA in August 2022, and adds significantly to the existing £750,000 of investment in the IKEA-dedicated electric fleet.

The new vans will be operating from six DX/IKEA depots in Heathrow, Milton Keynes, Reading, Sheffield, Southampton, and Willenhall.

The vehicles are the Maxus e-Deliver 9 marque vans, and have an operational carrying capacity of 1,162kg and a single-charge range of over 219 miles, with zero output emissions. They will be dual-liveried with DX and IKEA branding.

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IKEA has been a DX customer for over seven years, and uses the group’s logistics and two-person services in support of its online and retail operations. DX is also IKEA’s largest provider of two-person home delivery services in the UK.

This £3m investment is in addition to DX’s wider £20m to £25m three-year, capital investment programme, which is now in its second year.

Investment to date has been focused on depots, equipment including vehicles, and in technology. DX is in the process of increasing the overall number of electric vehicles within its fleet, particularly for deliveries in Central London.

John Welsh, Ikea UK and Ireland fulfilment sourcing manager, said: “As our largest provider of two-person home delivery services in the UK, our partnership with DX is fundamental for IKEA in reaching our 100% zero-emission goals for home delivery. This latest investment therefore brings a significant and very positive development in our journey together.”

Ian Bolton, DX Logistics managing director added: "We share IKEA’s goal to move to more environmentally-friendly business practices, including the use of electric vehicles for deliveries, and are delighted that, with this investment, we will further reduce carbon emissions while maintaining the highest possible service standards.”

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The recruitment drive is focusing primarily on those applicants with small and large vans, as well as zero emission vehicles in larger areas.

CitySprint is also looking to employ drivers for their electric vehicles, as company continues to expand its electric vehicle fleet to over 200 by the end of 2023.

Courier roles with CitySprint are available throughout the UK, with extra demand in Oxford, Cardiff, Bristol, Reading, Norwich, Warwick, Guildford and Glasgow, the company said this week.

The new recruits will provide support across all areas of the business, with a focus on supporting growth in retail sectors.

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The call for new couriers comes as the business reports significant uplifts in key logistics sectors, with "substantial" growth in key sectors and a welter of new clients.

Mark Footman, CitySprint chief operating officer, said: "It’s been another fruitful year for CitySprint, as the business has seen substantial growth in several key sectors. From winning an array of new clients, to the group acquiring London-based same day courier company, Absolutely.

“Despite a commendable 3.4 million deliveries in the past year, we want to strengthen our fleet further to ensure we can continue providing the best possible service over the busy summer months.

"We’re excited to welcome new suppliers on board, to help us deliver on these promises and stay ahead of our competitors, as the business grows.”

Ercan Bennett (pictured), a CitySprint courier who joined the company seven years ago,said: “I love the freedom of being a self-employed courier as well as the flexibility and pay schedule, which allows me to balance my work with my personal responsibilities."

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