Evri's network overhaul triggers nationwide parcel backlog with packages stuck in shops for days

From the Newshound archive · first published 28 September 2026 · last updated 29 September 2026.

Evri is struggling with a delivery backlog across its ParcelShop network after a sweeping restructuring left parcels stranded in stores and Post Office branches for days. The disruption follows the company's shift away from larger centralised depots toward smaller local sites, a transition that has caused significant capacity problems. Evri says service levels are holding above 95% across its 13,000-plus network, but has drafted in over 100 fresh collection routes and roughly 330 additional sweeper vans to tackle the growing backlog.

Parcels are reportedly sitting uncollected at thousands of shops — Post Office branches among them — as collection vans struggle to keep pace with the new local-depot model.

Evri, which handles upwards of one billion parcels annually, has merged with DHL eCommerce UK following its £2.7bn purchase by Apollo, the US private equity firm, in 2024.

The company characterised the problems as only 'a very small number of localised issues' — yet the scale of the emergency van deployment points to something considerably larger.