Mail volumes to continue slide

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.precisionmarketing.co.uk/Art ... slide.html

Only 37 per cent of businesses predict their mail volumes will increase over the next five years, a 13 per cent decrease from predictions made last year, according to a Postcomm study.



Postcomm’s annual Business Customer Survey among over 1,800 businesses reveals that while in 2006 50 per cent of businesses believed there would be an increase in mail volumes over the next five years, in 2007 only 37 per cent believed mail volumes would rise.



Over 40 per cent predicted the volumes would plateau, while 11 per cent of businesses predict a decrease in their mail volumes over the next five years. Financial services firms remain the biggest mailers, but use of mail in sectors such as charities, and health are set to increase.



One in five businesses have explored alternatives to using mail and have switched to other media, such as email, in the past 12 months.



The survey shows that Royal Mail continues to be the main service provider to business customers, serving 100 per cent of firms surveyed. Even customers which have moved some mail to alternative providers continue to use Royal Mail for most of their mail. Overall, 97 per cent of mail across the total sample was sent via Royal Mail. While perceptions of service quality have improved across Royal Mail and the alternative operators.



The research also reveals that a larger number of small businesses are beginning to benefit from competition, but much more needs to be done before small firms can experience the full benefits that larger mailers have seen since the market was opened.

[gazzer]

Should imagine this christmas should be the last busy one we will see with the thousands of Post Offices being closed down there will be nowhere for anyone to send stuff from,or wait a minute we could start a home collection service and I could have another excuse for returning another van load of parcels that I didn't have time to deliver like today,last Thursday,Friday,Saturday etc etc etc :cfo :lfo

[Lounge Lizard]

http://www.precisionmarketing.co.uk/Art ... slide.html

Only 37 per cent of businesses predict their mail volumes will increase over the next five years, a 13 per cent decrease from predictions made last year, according to a Postcomm study.



Postcomm’s annual Business Customer Survey among over 1,800 businesses reveals that while in 2006 50 per cent of businesses believed there would be an increase in mail volumes over the next five years, in 2007 only 37 per cent believed mail volumes would rise.



Over 40 per cent predicted the volumes would plateau, while 11 per cent of businesses predict a decrease in their mail volumes over the next five years. Financial services firms remain the biggest mailers, but use of mail in sectors such as charities, and health are set to increase.



One in five businesses have explored alternatives to using mail and have switched to other media, such as email, in the past 12 months.



The survey shows that Royal Mail continues to be the main service provider to business customers, serving 100 per cent of firms surveyed. Even customers which have moved some mail to alternative providers continue to use Royal Mail for most of their mail. Overall, 97 per cent of mail across the total sample was sent via Royal Mail. While perceptions of service quality have improved across Royal Mail and the alternative operators.



The research also reveals that a larger number of small businesses are beginning to benefit from competition, but much more needs to be done before small firms can experience the full benefits that larger mailers have seen since the market was opened.

A nice quiet year ahead for us all then !!

[billyb8]

Watch them up you delivery size with this news.....

[Edward Hunter]

Not that old chestnut. Over the next 20 years britains population is predicted to rise by 10 million or so.None of these people will send/recieve post then? More and more people wont use the internet for shopping? Bullshi@t IMO

[BELIAL]

Is it Me being thick? IF 37% of firms predict increased mailings compared to 11% forcasting contraction that does superficially look like a net increase in mailings ,hardly a slide.
Course the figures are meaningless anyway if you don't know the level of mailing undertaken by each respondent, and doubly so if the level of new business start ups:product launches etc is not factored in.

[Wild Cat]

Packets are increasing year on year and will more than compensate for any falling junk mail volumes.

Also the size of magazines such as the saga monsters is also on the increase.

The net result will not mean any decrease in work load probably a massive increase the only dilemma we will face is that revenues will continue to fall and the screws will use this to justify their cuts.