La Poste withstood its first decline in parcel deliveries in 2022, with net profit up 11%. However, the group anticipates a year 2023 ” more difficult “ and wants to grow in digital and local services. “The year 2022 was characterized by a very difficult economic environment with the slowdown in growth, the war in Ukraine, the increase in energy prices and general inflation”detailed the CEO, Philippe Wahl, during the presentation of the results for the past year, Thursday, February 23.
However, “We see strong resistance in the group’s activity and results”, he greeted. Turnover increased by 2.3% compared to 2021 to 35.4 billion euros, as did net profit (+11%).
Fall of traditional mail
For the first time, parcel transport marked time in 2022, with 2.6 billion parcels distributed (–3% over one year) after an exceptional year in 2021. In France, Colissimo volumes are down markedly, by 10%, and even Geopost (express parcels, including Chronopost in France) shows a 1% drop in volumes due to the sluggishness of the market in Germany and the United Kingdom. United.
The subsidiary’s turnover has nevertheless increased, approaching 15.6 billion euros (+ 6%) thanks to price increases. The parcel business now represents more than half of La Poste’s turnover, while traditional mail continues to fall, with a decline of 8% in 2022.
La Banque Postale, the group’s banking subsidiary, reported a 66% increase in its net profit, to 1.06 billion euros, in particular thanks to the 100% integration of CNP Insurance.
As a result of these positive results, “the profit-sharing will be the highest ever granted”, announced Philippe Wahl. It will amount to 958 euros per employee, against 592 euros last year. The La Poste group employs 238,000 people, including 184,000 in France.
Medicines and meals
While 2023 promises to be a complicated year, according to Mr. Wahl, he insisted on two growth vectors: digital, “which will experience an acceleration of its uses”and new local services.
Digital represents 900 million euros in turnover and covers digital safe and cloud activities. In December 2022, Mr. Wahl revealed his ambition to increase the turnover of this activity to “several billions in the years to come”.
The sector of personal services weighs for its part 700 million euros in turnover. With the progressive aging of the population and what Mr. Wahl calls “the residential shift in old age policy”There is “a considerable field” to conquer. The post office “progress in drug delivery” and is already “leader in meal delivery”he greeted. “Last year we delivered 3 million meals to an addressable market of 40 million”he insisted.
La Poste already offers personal assistance or home visit services such as the “Watch over my parents” activity, which will therefore be developed.