"parcel volume" is a correct and usable term in written English.
It is commonly used in the context of shipping and receiving packages, and it refers to the amount of packages that a particular shipment contains. For example, "The parcel volume of this shipment is 20 packages."
Parcel volumes were flat in the first half, mainly because the hot summer reduced online purchases, Royal Mail said.
The initiative extends the opening of delivery offices with the highest parcel volumes to seven days a week.
This broad range reflects the high operational gearing of the business and uncertainty over core addressed letter volumes, parcel volumes and prices.
UK Mail said parcel volumes for the first four months of the new financial year were 4% higher than in the same period last year.
As a result, parcel volumes may be flat for the nine months to the end of December, which includes Royal Mail's busiest period over Christmas.
Parcel volumes are increasing because of the boom in internet shopping, but the numbers of letters sent daily fell from 82m in 2004 to just 58m in 2013.
"Today's profit announcement shows present decline in letter volumes and associated costs can be offset by the performance and returns with parcel volumes and retail revenues," Metcher said on Thursday.
The firm added: "We are working closely with our clients on their forecast parcel volumes and we are confident that the action we are taking will ensure that normal service is resumed after the weekend".
The company said in a statement: "The recent, well documented Black Friday, Cyber Monday and other retail promotions have resulted in unexpectedly high parcel volumes across the carrier industry.
Royal Mail's performance depends heavily on increasing parcel volumes, boosted by deliveries of online purchases, and cutting costs to make up for declining letter deliveries, which fell 4% in the first half.
