Royal Mail is to nearly double the maximum size of its Small Parcel format for the busy Christmas parcel posting period.

Introducing a bigger Small Parcel format

From 20 October, the Royal Mail maximum Small Parcel format will be much bigger in size. This means that consumers and SMEs will be able to put bigger items – or more items – into every Small Parcel they send by Royal Mail, offering better value. The change combines the largest dimensions of the two existing formats for Small Parcels, creating a single, bigger Small Parcel format measuring 45cm x 35cm x 16cm.

 

Christmas price promotion

At the same time as the increase in parcel format, Royal Mail is introducing a price promotion for consumers and SMEs, which will run from 20 October to 18 January 2015. Under the promotion, all stamped Second Class Small Parcels weighing up to 2kg will cost the same, at £2.80. Previously, there were separate prices for 0-1kg and 1-2kg parcels. This means a saving of £1 on Second Class Small Parcels weighing between 1kg and 2kg, at Post Offices or through Royal Mail’s Online Postage.

Franked Small Parcels weighing between 1kg and 2kg will also benefit from a saving of £1 at £2.50 during the period of the promotion.

The price promotion will benefit customers sending Christmas presents to friends and relatives, marketplace sellers and smaller businesses selling gifts online over the festive period and during the New Year sales.

 

Nick Landon, Managing Director of Royal Mail Parcels, said: “We are pleased to further simplify our stamped parcels portfolio to provide great value and support consumers and small businesses. To launch the new Small Parcel format we are introducing a festive price promotion that will benefit customers sending Christmas presents to friends and relatives, marketplace sellers and smaller businesses selling gifts online.”

 

The parcels changes are part of Royal Mail’s on-going programme to continue to respond to customer needs, provide great value and maintain its leading position in the UK parcels market.

Last month, Royal Mail launched a pilot of Sunday afternoon opening at around 100 of its delivery offices across the UK. The initiative extends the opening of delivery offices with the highest parcels volumes across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from six to seven days a week. The initiative is designed to make it easier for online shoppers not at home during the day to get their parcels. Royal Mail also began a trial of Sunday deliveries to addresses within the M25 motorway.