The way in which customers use the postal service is changing; people are sending fewer letters and receiving more parcels.
Jersey Post reports that it has seen above inflation cost increases from many of its suppliers, which has particularly affected the cost of UK and local letters.
As letters continue to decline dramatically across the globe, local and UK letter (100g) prices, which were held for the last two years, will increase to 80p and £1.35 respectively. These increases will ensure letters cover their costs whilst helping to protect the Universal Service Obligation, giving customers access to one price to post anywhere on island or to the UK five days a week.
Sending a letter to Europe will increase by an average of 7%, and to the Rest of World, by an average of 1.7%.
To support customers and businesses, the cost of send a parcel is decreasing. There will be average reductions of: -18% to send a parcel to the UK; -12% to send on island; -14% to Rest of World; and -1% to Europe.
Jersey Post prices include the cost of the Post Office network; collection, processing and delivery on the island and when sending to the UK, transport to Royal Mail’s hub and the fees for delivery.
As an island, goods, services and labour are more expensive than in the UK. Jersey Post remains committed to paying the living wage to its hard working posties, who deliver to every address on the island, five days a week (six for parcels) in every weather.
Mark Siviter, Jersey Post Group CEO, said: “We remain committed to providing islanders with accessible postal services. However, we’ve had to make some tough decisions to ensure we have a sustainable and viable service for the future. The way customers use our service is changing; in particular, people are sending fewer cards and letters. We’ve held our local and UK letter prices for two years, so the loss of volume and above inflation cost increases from many of our suppliers, has particularly affected the cost of UK and local letters.
“We need to cover the costs of running our Post Office network, and think it’s right we pay our hard-working posties the living wage. Where possible we’ve reduced our parcel pricing to support customers and local businesses and are introducing a range of volume based discounts for businesses.”
