Growth in these channels has more than offset the tough trading environment in consumer/SME and export parcels." An increasing trend of higher volumes of lower-value parcel was highlighted by Royal Mail as one of the challenges it faces, particularly in relation to deliveries into the UK form China. Commenting on Royal Mail's performance, Kevin Townend of Advanced Supply Chain, said he feels that competitive pressure must drive further Royal Mail investments: "Royal Mail is having to fundamentally alter its business model away from traditional letter postal services and into the ecommerce market. But the market is highly competitive. "As well as retailers developing their own networks, such as Amazon, and offering delivery services to ecommerce businesses, manufacturers are also beginning to explore retailing products themselves, establishing their own networks through third party logistics providers. "