GCA tells sub-postmasters how greeting cards can increase revenue
Highlighting how greeting cards can increase revenue for post offices was the thrust of GCA ceo Amanda Fergusson’s presentation at the National Federation Of Sub-Postmasters’ annual conference at the weekend.
Amanda was invited to the two-day event on Sunday and yesterday, 14-15 May, in Stratford-Upon-Avon by NFSP commercial and retail director Robert Clack, and followed on stage by postal affairs minister Kevin Hollinrake, who is also parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department For Business And Trade, and Nick Read, Post Office group ceo.
As well as the conference, there was also a retail event attended by a number of publishers, including Noel Tatt Group, Out Of The Blue Studios, Christine Gardner, and Bug Art.
“I gave an insight into the greeting card industry,” Amanda explained, “sharing the latest statistics from our annual Market Report, to illustrate the robustness of the card industry – with over £1.5billion spent in the UK on single greeting cards in 2021, an 11% bounce back after the Covid-hit 2020.
“The NFSP team wanted me to highlight the opportunity greeting cards offer to increase revenue for sub-postmasters, and I also explained that over 80% of cards are bought in bricks-and-mortar stores and talked about how postmasters had worked with publishers to increase their sales.”
Amanda also took the opportunity to raise the greeting card industry’s continuing concerns regarding Royal Mail with minister Kevin Hollinrake, who confirmed to her that he does send cards himself. The pair spoke about the Communication Workers’ Union ballot that’s due on the agreement reached with Royal Mail to end the long-running industrial dispute.
Amanda told him the industry shares his hope that CWU members vote to accept the deal but she added: “We remain concerned about stamp prices and service levels under the universal service obligation. Royal Mail letters delivery is crucial for the ongoing health of our currently-robust £1.7bn industry”, and also reminded him of the mental health benefits of the sending and receiving of cards.
And Amanda met Bill Chandi, sub-postmaster at Marston Moretaine, who received a special award from the Post Office for the work his small operation put in handling over 250,000 cards, letters and gifts sent to Captain Sir Tom Moore, who raised £32million for NHS charities during the pandemic to mark his own 100th birthday and thank the health service for its help.
The GCA Royal Mail Survey is now up and running and the industry association is asking that as many greetings folk as possible complete the questionnaire by Friday, 19 May.
The industry feedback will boost the association’s case for lobbying the government over the impact of the current issues with Royal Mail on everyone involved in producing and supplying greeting cards.
The seven-question survey includes asking if a company currently uses Royal Mail to deliver letter-sized packages, how the Christmas postal strikes affected it, and if the closure of the nearest post office would impact its business.
Top: Amanda Fergusson telling sub-postmasters how great cards are for retailers
