Card publisher Cherry Orchard MD Jackie Collins is running a campaign to encourage consumers to carry on sending cards and dodging the postal increase by sending cards using second-class mail.
The move follows the announcement that first-class stamps are set to increase on October 2 to £1.25. Royal Mail said that the price rise was due to “increasing cost pressures, the challenging economic environment, and the lack of reform of the universal service obligation (USO)”.
Cherry Orchard Publishing has designed a poster for the trade to display in their windows and shops to ensure senders are not discouraged from their love of sending a greeting card. The publisher said it really wants to be able to support independents and high streets as much as possible despite the pressures that they are constantly facing.
Jackie Collins told Greetings Today: ”Following the strike action last year from Royal Mail and the effect that it had on the industry, I was shocked to hear of the postage increases planned for October – right in time for Christmas. Many retailers rely on these sales and we need to help them encourage people to send Christmas wishes again. Supporting independents and high streets is really important to us as a company, and that is why we have launched this latest campaign. Posting second class just means sending earlier and having to plan a little more ahead!”
The message that we want to get out is that you can send a card anywhere in the UK for 75p – and we’ve got to focus on that and encourage people to use the second-class stamp
GCA CEO Amanda Fergusson
The A4 posters will be going out with everyday orders from this week. If any customers would like one before they place their next order or if they would like more than one of the posters then some will be available from head office. The poster is also available for non Cherry Orchard customers. Contact info@cherryorchardpublishing.co.uk.
Ofcom recently carried out a consultation on safeguarding the second-class stamp – which the GCA responded to behalf of the industry. GCA CEO Amanda Fergusson told Greetings Today that research carried out for Ofcom showed that 42% of UK consumers only use the post for greeting cards, showing their importance to Royal Mail. She added that they will continue to liaise with the Royal Mail on the future of the service, with the greeting card industry’s interests to the fore.
She said: ”The message that we want to get out is that you can send a card anywhere in the UK for 75p – and we’ve got to focus on that and encourage people to use the second-class stamp.’’
