One Stop is to remove full Post Office (PO) branches from some stores due to “economic challenges”, replacing them with more basic PO Drop & Collect services. 

The services at 10 centrally owned sites across England are to close in March next year. Better Retailing understands growth in rival parcel services such as Evri, Amazon and InPost, combined with changes in bill payments, had led to a drop in demand for PO services. 

Although Drop & Collect is still operated under the PO branding, it only offers bill payments and parcel drop-off/pick-up, meaning affected sites will have limited services. One Stop declined to comment on whether there would be further PO closures. 

In a message to the customers of affected branches, the PO wrote: “One Stop has advised that, due to the challenges of the current economic climate, they have made the difficult decision to resign. 

“To help mitigate the loss of some vital PO services, we are pleased to advise that One Stop has agreed to operate a PO Drop & Collect, which is a lighter branch format, from the same location.” 

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Asked by Bet Retailing to comment on the decision, a One Stop spokesperson said: “In a number of our stores, we will be introducing Drop & Collect to replace the Post Office Local format. 

“Drop & Collect will offer customers a number of popular, prepaid parcel products and services. We will also offer a bill payments service and customers will be able to access cash through our in-store ATMs and purchase stamps in store.” 

A PO spokesperson told Better Retailing: “The decision to close 10 full-service Post Offices was taken by One Stop and coincides with the challenging economic climate affecting the high street.” 

The spokesperson added that it is advertising for full-service replacement branches in the areas affected. Affected sites include those based in Lowestoft, Dorset, St Neots, Manchester, Lincoln, Leatherhead, Morecambe, Sunderland, Coventry and Sutton. 

The withdrawals follow a similar move by Spar Scotland wholesaler CJ Lang in 2021, sparking fury from MPs and local communities. 

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