Deutsche Post operates too few branches in Saxony

With just under 13,000 post offices - mostly kiosks and other retailers with post office counters - the Bonn-based company has a strong nationwide presence, exceeding a state obligation of 12,000 branches in total. But in rural areas and on the outskirts of cities, the Post does not always comply with the distance rules.

Structural change in rural areas is a problem

In October 2023, there were reportedly only 73 unoccupied mandatory locations, which is only around half as many as in July of this year. However, there is no discernible trend, rather the figure has been fluctuating for a long time - in January 2023, there were 174 more than recently.

The reason for the logistics provider's difficulties is the structural change in rural areas: if the last supermarket or grocer closes down in a village and no other retailer is available as a partner, the store location remains unoccupied. Sometimes it simply takes a while before a partner is found after all.

A Post spokesperson pointed out that setting up branches "is very challenging, especially in rural areas with a poor retail infrastructure, and we always have to reckon with branch partners going out of business". It is therefore not unusual that the number of vacancies has increased. "We will continue to work at full speed and in close dialog with the mayors in the municipalities concerned to be present at all 'mandatory locations'," said the spokesperson for DHL, whose national mail business operates under the name Deutsche Post.