Tag: Europe

German postal rates fall as competition grows

Posted by | Oct 24, 2006 | |

Prices in the German postal market are falling as competition grows and new entrants gear up for full liberalisation in January 2008, according to a new, in-depth study from CEP-Research, “The German postal market before liberalisation”.

Although the Deutsche Post exclusive licence still restricts the activities of competitors such as express and parcel firms, specialist mail companies and publishing groups, competition is clearly increasing, leading to lower average prices.

“A clear sign for a price war in the German mail market is shown by the development of market revenues and mail volumes since 1998,” commented Björn Sasse, project manager for the study. Projected figures for 2005, for example, show that total mail volumes are expected to show a rise of 6.5% to 18.1 billion, while overall mail revenues rose just 2% to €10.2 billion. The average mail price dropped by 6% last year.

The 117-page, German-language study also highlights future market potential and likely trends such as increasing outsourcing of in-house postal departments to service providers. “Lower prices, new products, improved services and better service quality for corporate customers can be expected from liberalisation in 2008,” added Björn Sasse.

* “The German postal market before liberalisation” can be ordered online from www.cep-research.com for €800. The 117-page study is only available in German.

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Royal Mail extends deadline for market research tender

Posted by | Oct 24, 2006 | |

Royal Mail has extended its call for tender for its market research roster until today.

The roster is reviewed every four years, and is worth between £20m and £25m including VAT over that period.

Agencies currently on the roster include Accent, BMRB, BPRI, Illuminas, Continental, Compass, Crucible, FDS, IFF, Moulton Hall, Prescient, Quadrangle, Spinach, Synetics and Aegis agency Synovate.

The contract covers commissioned and non-commissioned, qualitative and quantitative market research services.

The original deadline had been October 13. Further details of the contract can be viewed online.

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Mike Watson Transport joins PalletFORCE Network

Posted by | Oct 24, 2006 | |

Hampshire-based Mike Watson Transport (MWT) has joined PalletFORCE, one of the fastest-growing palletised distribution networks in the UK.

In order to meet the anticipated growth as a direct result of PalletFORCE, MWT is expanding its operations to accommodate a new dedicated 10,000 sq.ft warehousing depot in Alton, Hampshire, with a further two vehicles being added to the fleet. In addition, MWT is currently recruiting a new member of staff to join its haulage team, and expects continued growth over the coming months as a result of its participation in PalletFORCE.

MWT will cover the GU1 – 10, 23 and 26 – 35 postcodes, which incorporate Alton, Guildford, Petworth, Petersfield and Farnham.

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SPI offers information at a glance

Posted by | Oct 24, 2006 | |

Different countries, different customs: every market has its own laws and national peculiarities. This is why a promotional mailing can be successful in one country, yet have little impact in another. To help businesses overcome these challenges, Swiss Post international (SPI) has developed a “Direct Marketing Passport to Europe” which describes the various country-specific preferences and customs and is now available free of charge.

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Post offices to get cash machines

Posted by | Oct 23, 2006 | |

Post offices struggling for survival were given a welcome boost today as a high street bank pledged to install cash machines at 100 sites.

Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) said 100 of the 300 free-to-use cash machines it wants to install in the UK’s poorest communities will go in post offices.

It came just days after Prime Minister Tony Blair was told of the crisis facing the Post Office network, with closures expected across the country.

National Federation of SubPostmasters general secretary Colin Baker welcomed the move by RBS. Post offices have lost much-needed income as they are stripped of key services such as television licences and car tax which are now available online.

Mr Baker said some postmasters were even forced to use their savings to keep post offices open.

The crisis coincides with calls for more free-to-use cash machines in deprived areas where people with limited means struggle to access much-needed funds.

RBS, which owns NatWest, invited MPs and communities to nominate where its 300 new machines should go and today said it had linked up with the National Federation of SubPostmasters to install 100 in post offices.

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