Warehousing space in Europe: meeting tomorrow’s demand
Warehousing space in Europe: meeting tomorrow’s demand
Read MoreTag: UK
Managed Closure of Post Office Branches – Learning from the UK Experience
Increasingly, postal networks worldwide have experienced closures or are facing uncertainties in the future of post office branches as they become less frequently used. In this Postal Technology International article, NERA Consultants Leela Barham and Simon Maunder and Director John Dodgson review UK experience of a managed closure and investment program to deliver a sustainable configuration of branches. The authors recommend that struggling postal networks use a model similar to the UK’s Urban Reinvention Programme (URP), which managed closures of urban post office branches in 2002-2005. The URP offered the opportunity to continue to meet accessibility requirements set out by the UK regulator; minimize the impact on customers by providing information about alternative branches; and invest in the remaining branches to maximize business opportunities.
Read MoreRoyal Mail price proposals ''could boost direct marketing''
Proposals from Royal Mail to give it greater control over the prices it charges could see greater amounts of direct marketing being delivered, a leading economist has said.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Ian Senior said a bid by Royal Mail to increase domestic postal charges and reduce business post charges could see marketers being able to afford more direct mail shots.
Prices are currently set until 2010, but company´s chief executive Adam Crozier is pushing regulator Postcomm to completely deregulate charges.
“I think it would have an impact on direct marketing because it is all about trying to keep costs down. If the cost goes down by one or two pence per item, then the volume could go up,” Mr Senior told the Telegraph.
“If prices fall, it is possible that the Royal Mail will get a bigger market share of direct marketing, but it doesn´t mean that the volume will go up,” added a spokesperson from the Direct Marketing Association.
Royal Mail claims that falling profits on business post is forcing it to seek changes to current fees, as it says it must both be more competitive in this area and charge more from domestic customers.
The regulated postal service still controls virtually all the mail delivered in Britain.
Read MoreGrowth strategies in wholesale distribution
Growth strategies in wholesale distribution
Read MoreRoyal Mail’s first class service to customers
Royal Mail’s latest independent performance report shows postmen and women are continuing to deliver target-beating service to customers.
From April to the beginning of December 2006, stamped First Class mail beat its 93.0% target with 94.1% arriving the next working day, while Second Class mail also beat its 98.5% target, with a 99.0% performance over the same period.
Mail services used by larger businesses also exceeded their targets during the first three quarters of the 2006-07 financial year. These included Royal Mail’s Mailsort bulk business mail services, Printed Postage Impression (PPI) items, and the Presstream service for magazine mailings.
Royal Mail’s Standard Parcel service recorded a performance of 94.6% between April and the beginning of December 2006 – well above its 90.0% target. Special Delivery met its 99.0% target over the same period.
Read MorePost & Parcel Magazine
Post & Parcel Magazine is our print publication, released 3 times a year. Packed with original content and thought-provoking features, Post & Parcel Magazine is a must-read for those who want the inside track on the industry.