The Cost of Stamps Could be on the Rise Again

Following Royal Mail’s massive price hike in April 2012 and resulting increase in operational profits, Chief Executive Moya Greene was yesterday unable to promise that the cost of stamps would not be on the rise again in the near future.

 Along with the uncertain future of stamp prices came the admission that almost half of mail is now ‘junk mail’. This follows the removal of a cap last year that prevented postmen and women from delivering more than 3 unaddressed items to a house each week.

Ms Green insisted that without the huge increase in volume of direct mail and the associated profits the cost of stamps could be subject to further increases.

As a result of the increase in direct marketing, Royal Mail saw profits soar from £12million in 2011 to over £113million during 2012.

With direct mail providing such a lucrative revenue stream it is inevitable that the amount of ‘junk mail’ will increase much to the frustration of those at the receiving end.

Deliveries of traditional mail such as letters and greeting cards fell by 9%in 2012 as a direct result of the stamp price rises earlier this year.

In light of these revelations it is important to remember that nothing says ‘I care’ more that a real card or letter, hand written and delivered to your door. With Christmas approaching it can be tempting to opt for a text or email and in some instances this may be an ideal solution but for the really special people in your life it may be worth going the extra mile.