Acquisition of a local courier could lead CNPR to recover its market share

The drop has been more pronounced since 2000, when the local courier market began developing much more powerfully, reaching annual growth of 30-40 percent. CNPR’s advantage lies in the fact that, until the end of 2012, it has the exclusive right to offer postal services, regular or express, for correspondence that weighs less than 50 grams and whose price is lower than RON 2. “Prioripost is the closest to courier service. At present, Posta Romana has less than 5 percent of this segment, the remainder covered by private couriers. Before 1991, Posta Romana covered most of the market, although this was much smaller,” according to a declaration for Business Standard by representatives of the Courier Operator Association. They added that private couriers offer lower prices on this segment, which can be as low as €1 for domestic courier services, delivery within 24 hours in Bucharest, and confirmation receipt.

“The courier service market will be subject to a downward trend due to the current economic situation, especially on the corporate segment,” said Marius Vatavu, General Manager of CNPR.

Octavian Badescu, Secretary General of the Courier Operator Association believes that Posta Romana will have to acquire a local company, such as FAN Courier or TCE, in order to become a powerful player on the courier market, and both of these options are being considered to increase market share. However, Vatavu added that Posta Romana is going to attempt to relaunch rapid courier services “through own investment efforts.”