Royal Mail’s Consultation on Second Class Post: What You Need to Know

Big changes are on the horizon for Royal Mail’s second-class postage service, with a consultation underway to introduce a new delivery schedule starting later in 2025. The proposed changes mean that second-class post will be delivered on alternate weekdays, creating a new service called D+3 – delivery within three days of receipt by Royal Mail. Let’s dive into what this means and how it could affect you.

For more detailed information on these proposals, visit Royal Mail’s official page: https://www.royalmail.com/receiving/the-future-of-letter-deliveries

What Is Changing? Under the proposed D+3 service:

• Second-class items will follow an alternate-day delivery schedule on a two-week rotation.
• No Saturday deliveries for D+3.
• First-class (D+2) service will still be delivered six days a week, but at a premium price.

Essentially, this means that second-class post will no longer arrive daily. Instead, deliveries will alternate weekdays, with each week following a slightly different schedule. For those used to the current service, this will require a shift in planning – especially for businesses that rely on direct mail and postal campaigns.

What Does This Mean for Businesses? If you use postal campaigns to reach your customers, the changes won’t necessarily disrupt your workflow but will require more careful planning. For example, if you need a campaign to land on a specific Monday, you’ll need to check the two-week rotation to ensure it goes out on the right week. Missing that Monday could mean waiting another two weeks for the next available Monday delivery.

This shift could be seen as a benefit, encouraging businesses to plan ahead and move away from last-minute rushes. While it may remove some flexibility, it adds a layer of structure that could lead to more organised campaigns.

Countering the Decline in General Mail While Royal Mail cites declining letter volumes as a reason for the proposed changes, it’s important to highlight the growing interest in direct mail marketing. As digital channels become saturated and less effective, businesses are rediscovering the power of physical mail to cut through the noise and deliver impressive results.

Recent data shows that direct mail boasts higher engagement and response rates compared to email and other digital methods. Businesses are finding that incorporating direct mail into their marketing strategies offers a more personal touch, making their messages stand out and enhancing overall campaign performance. In fact, many brands are now increasing their direct mail budgets, recognising the value it brings in building meaningful customer connections.

Adapting to the New Schedule Here are a few tips for navigating the upcoming changes:

• Plan Ahead: Map out your mailing dates according to the new two-week delivery rotation.
• Communicate Early: Speak with your postal provider or internal team to align schedules and avoid delays.
• Factor in Lead Time: Allow extra days for delivery to ensure campaigns reach their audience as intended.
• Consider First-Class for Time-Sensitive Mail: If timing is crucial, first-class post will remain available for six-day-a-week delivery.

Final Thoughts While these changes might seem like a hurdle at first, they offer an opportunity to adopt a more strategic approach to mailing. The two-week rotation means last-minute mailings will be trickier, but for non-time-sensitive items, you gain a bit more breathing room.

If you haven’t already, now is the time to review your postal processes and prepare for the shift. We’re already speaking with our customers to help them adapt and ensure they stay ahead of the curve.

What do you think about these changes? Will they impact your business? Let us know!