Mail service discontinues the use of iconic red mailboxes
Simplifying the Mailbox Experience: Deutsche Post Bids Adieu to the Red Dot
By Frank Ochse, an informal take on the digitalization of mailboxes
For decades, the red dot on our mailboxes was a reliable sign of late-evening and Sunday deliveries. But those days are numbered, pal! A postal spokesperson spills the beans: "Yup, it's history."
Fun Fact: Deutsche Post is modernizing the iconic mailbox collection indicators, replacing the red dot with nifty QR codes. These little squares of digital wizardry offer goodies such as collection times, delivery times, and prices for customers to savor.
The transition from red dot to QR code is happening all over Germany between January and June 2025, and in Berlin, those double mailboxes have been unceremoniously dismantled.
Why Ditching the Red Dot Makes Sense
Accordng to the postal rep: "Night owl deliveries beyond 8 pm? No more! Late-posted mail ain't sorted the same day anymore, man. It's only processed the next day at the mail center. No customer benefits for that late-night stuff."
Insight: This shift could be a move to adjust to the dwindling letter volume and the booming parcel delivery market.
Mailies on Bikes, Here Comes the Parcel Truck
Deutsche Post is also revving up the parcel delivery game. They plan to deliver 90% of all parcels combined with letters by 2030. Yep, you read that right!
Among parcel deliverers in Berlin, whispers of worry are circulating: "Does this mean the chopping block for me?" Deutsche Post offers a reassuring pat on the back: "Not to fret! Operational dismissals are a no-go, thanks to our social partner, Verdi."
Editor's Note: Mail carriers will swap their bikes for their own vehicles in this update, making delivery life a tad cozier!
So here's to a new era of mailbox wonders! Time to bid farewell to the red dot and embrace the digital future!
Sources:1. Deutsche Post (Official website)2. Deutsche Post media center (News and Press Releases)3. Deutsche Post – QR codes for mailboxes4. Deutsche Post - Parcel deliveries (Delivery Instructions)
The transition of Deutsche Post's mailbox indicators from red dots to QR codes signifies a shift towards a more digitally-oriented lifestyle, offering customers convenient access to collection times, delivery times, and prices.
Embracing technology, Deutsche Post aims to deliver 90% of all parcels combined with letters by 2030, anticipating a booming parcel delivery market and adjusting to the dwindling letter volume.
