Postal strike forces retailers to seek alternative carriers

This article is brought to you by Retail Technology Review: Postal strike forces retailers to seek alternative carriers.

Almost half of retailers (44%) have changed postal carriers following the Royal Mail strikes, according to a survey by Maginus, expert providers of multi-channel & mail order software solutions.

Furthermore 63% of these retailers, which are collectively responsible for more than 3.5 million parcels dispatched annually in the UK, will continue to use their new carriers once the strikes have come to an end.

Of the retailers questioned 67% said that their newly selected carriers had provided the same standard of service they had previously experienced from Royal Mail prior to the strikes.

Russell Dorset, Sales and Marketing Director, Maginus, said, These survey results demonstrate the negative and lasting effects that the postal strike will have on the Royal Mail, with more than two-thirds of retailers surveyed saying that they will continue to use their new carrier when the strike finishes. With parcel delivery increasing in the run up to Christmas the Royal Mail has lost the confidence of the very businesses that they rely upon. Is this the beginning of end for the Royal Mail as we know it.

More than a third of the retailers questioned (37%) said the postal strikes had directly affected their day-to-day operations.

Dorset added, Retailers cannot afford long-term damage their brands by failing on the final leg of the multi-channel journey the delivery of goods. Retailers need to provide a seamless service from start to finish as once customers receive a poor customer service experience untold damage is done to the brand which may never be regained. The majority of retailers are not wasting time to see how the strike develops but are acting fast to ensure their service levels are not harmed.