GCA meeting with RM ‘bigwigs’ pushed strongly to safeguard USO
Royal Mail has shown its support for the GCA’s #Cardmitment campaign with the release of a social media reel shouting about how great it is to send Christmas cards.
The reel, which can be seen below, was released yesterday, 20 November, and uses the latest research from the UK’s postal service to explain that eight out of 10 of people recognise Christmas cards are important for maintaining relationships with friends and family.
Meanwhile 77% of people asked said they would rather receive a physical Christmas card than a digital one this year, with only 2% preferring digital cards, and just 11% favouring a text or WhatsApp message and 6% wanting a phone call – and 90% said they still send festive cards.
Royal Mail’s chief commercial officer Nick Landon said: “The festive period is by far our busiest time of the year – about double the amount of mail is sent during December compared with other months.
“The research shows that sending and receiving cards remains a much-loved tradition for the majority of people, and our postmen and women will be working hard to deliver all of these Christmas wishes.”
Underlining how cards are part of festive decorations in our homes, the One Poll survey of 2,000 people showed 89% said they display all the Christmas greetings they’re sent while one third of pet owners sign their cards from their animals.
If you’re wondering what to write in your card, the results are divided – 40% say they appreciate an update on family or personal life, the same number prefer simple good wishes for the festive period, while 24% would like to receive a photo.
Royal Mail’s Instagram and Facebook posts yesterday, 20 November, garnered plenty of comments, with many in support – although some took the chance to moan about slow and missed deliveries as well as the price of stamps.
Not missing the opportunity to show his own #Cardmitment GCA council member David Byk, ceo of Ling Designs and GBCC, posted: “Don’t forget to send a Christmas card and create that feeling of friendship and togetherness for only 75p second class to anywhere in the country.”
He was part of the GCA contingent which met with Royal Mail yesterday, 20 November, to ram home the importance of safeguarding the six-day-a-week reliable delivery service – RM’s Universal Service Obligation (USO).
And, while expressing surprise that only 77% of people would prefer a physical card over a text, David added on his Instagram comment: “I’ve just left a meeting with the bigwigs at the Royal Mail and listened to the work they are doing to ensure this Christmas is a success –recruitment/bonuses/engaged posties/extra infrastructure/no strike – in order to improve reliability and standards to reassure the public that when you post a Christmas card it will arrive. So, I reckon it will be nearer 100%.”
Other comments included: “We certainly agree, our Christmas cards are always very popular, and I love receiving a card instead of the usual bills through the post!”
“There’s definitely something special about receiving a physical card…or bespoke money wallet at Christmas.”
“Love buying and sending cards at Christmas and all year round.”
“Nothing beats receiving a greeting card in December! Specially with a tasty stamp design…”
GCA ceo Amanda Fergusson commented: “This survey precisely matches what our members already appreciate – that Britain has a special love affair with cards, especially at Christmas. And we all love greetings cards as part of our Christmas decorations at home.”
#Cardmitment is the GCA’s campaign to promote Christmas card sending, which includes reminding people that a second-class stamp is just 75p to reach anywhere in the UK. There’s lots of information on the association’s website including downloadable posters and artwork for retailers who want to join in.
