GCA recently met with Royal Mail again, top of the agenda was Christmas along with the 2024 Ofcom Review of Second Class safeguard caps.
The GCA team included CEO Amanda Fergusson (above 2nd from right), plus Council Members David Byk MD GBBC/Ling (above left) and David Falkner, co-owner Cardology (above right), who met with Royal Mail’s Director of External Affairs, David Gold (centre), and Head of Public Affairs, Fiona Hamilton (above 2nd left) at Royal Mail’s central London HQ.
The GCA was reassured by the steps Royal Mail have in place to ‘deliver Christmas’ this year after the strikes of last year.
We all need to remind our customers and communities that 2nd class stamps have not increased in price; it only costs 75p to send a card across the country.
And pass on the reassurance that we received from Royal Mail – Christmas cards will be delivered this year.
Amanda Fergusson CEO GCA
The GCA team again reiterated members concerns about need for the UK to have a postal service that is national, reliable and affordable. Areas of alignment were found however there is much work to be done, and the GCA remains equally instant that our postal service must remain reliable, national and affordable. A further meeting has been scheduled for the new year.
Royal Mail Work To Deliver Christmas
Royal Mail’s David Gold spoke of the work Royal Mail are doing to re-group as a company after the strikes, and to re-engage and reassure consumers about service this Christmas, high-lighting comments by Royal Mail’s new CEO, Martin Seidenberg to ‘deliver Christmas’.
My top priority now is improving quality. From experience, I know that quality is key for customer satisfaction and sustainable growth, so we are pulling out all the stops to deliver Christmas for our customers. This includes recruiting 16,000 seasonal workers, opening five temporary sorting centres and launching an incentive scheme for operational employees worth up to £500 each for hitting local and national quality targets
Martin Seidenberg, Chief Executive Officer of IDS plc
Royal Mail research says Christmas cards still preferred over digital options
Royal Mail is encouraging customers to Shop Early and Post Early for Christmas, aligning with the GCA’s #Cardmitment messaging they are also encouraging use of the 2nd class stamp.
As part of their Christmas campaign they commissioned some research into card sending trends, which showed nine out of 10 people surveyed said they send Christmas cards and more three quarters saying they would rather receive a physical Christmas card to a digital one this year:
- 77% of people say they would rather receive a physical Christmas card to a digital one.
- 9 out of 10 people surveyed said they send Christmas cards
- 63% of people said their preferred way to receive Christmas well wishes this year would be a card.
- 1 out of 3 of pet owners say they plan to include their beloved pet’s name when they sign their cards this year.
- 44% said they would send a card to anyone who sent them one.
- 89% of people say they display all the cards they are sent.
- 78% think Christmas cards are important for maintaining relationships with friends and family.
Royal Mail also offered help for those wondering what to write in their cards: Whilst 40% say they appreciate an update on family or personal life, 40% prefer simple well wishes for the festive period.
See Royal Mail Instagram for more on this survey
Royal PR also shared a quiz on 4th December that offered to reveal what your Christmas cards personality type is! Are you a ‘Sentimental Sally’ and ‘Organised Olivia’ or a ‘Charitable Charlie‘
Further Information
For more on this story see PGBuzz
Further information for 2023 Christmas posting is available from Royal Mail at www.royalmail.com/greetings
GCA Royal Mail Ofcom update September 2023
For details on Royal Mail move to QR-coded stamps in July 2023.
