UK’s key retailers drop Royal Mail

Major companies are turning their backs on Royal Mail as a national postal strike looms. In a bid to protect their businesses, key retailers including John Lewis, House of Fraser and Amazon have announced they are working with other carriers.

On 8 October, Communication Workers Union (CWU) members voted in favour of a strike over job cuts and working conditions.

A spokesman for John Lewis told the BBC: “We work with a number of different carriers for contingency to provide an uninterrupted service. Contrary to concerns in the press about the situation leading to an increase in online prices, we will not put our prices up as a result of this strategy.”

House of Fraser also ditched Royal Mail after the strike was confirmed, posting the message on their website: “Tired of postal strikes? Shop with us.” The company goes on to advertise DHL’s 48-hour service.

Furthermore, The Financial Times has reported that “private operators may not cope with the deluge of letters, packets and parcels.” Speaking to the newspaper, Brian Gaunt, chief executive of Home Delivery Network, said: “In the broader perspective it’s a tragedy for the whole industry. The issue is that it will damage consumer confidence in internet retailing,” He went on to say that company volumes are up by 15% but he was looking for long-term contracts, not temporary customers.