Royal Mail has announced that it wishes to put up its prices quite considerably in April 2011 – which means that if you are thinking of doing some bulk mailing next year, it is worth getting in before the price goes up.

RM already has permission to raise prices by 7% across the board in April and now RM is asking for more.  Taking the two requests together Postcomm the regulator (which is being wound-up in the bonfire of the quangos) this could mean price increases of up to 12%.

Regardless of the outcome of Postcomm’s consultation there will be significant price rises.  If Postcomm allow the price increases in total first class post will go up by about 5p on the basic, and second class by 4p on the basic with these price rises reflected in all Mailsort sales.

But – none of this can happen until April or May, so if you do want to do direct mail, the answer must be to do it before Easter.

Tony Attwood