A survey to understand the concerns of independent businesses surrounding the Royal Mail strikes

1.Does your business currently use Royal Mail to deliver Letter size packages? (Tick all that apply)

Not at all

For business communications, marketing, invoices, etc.

Yes, for sending small B2C orders (e.g. greetings cards, notebooks, etc.) at a cheaper rate than other delivery services would charge to deliver a larger parcel.

Yes for sending replacement parts, rectifying shortages, etc.

Other (please specify)

2.How did the Christmas postal strike affect your business?

It improved my trade

It made no difference

I was marginally (<3%) impacted across all categories

I was moderately impacted (2-10% down, or certain categories >20% down)

I was significantly impacted (over >10% impacted overall)

3.If you were impacted, please indicate the types of disruption you have experienced? (tick all that apply)

Delay receiving stock from suppliers

Delays sending stock to end or trade customers

Additional costs from sourcing alternative delivery services (including paying for additional tracking or faster delivery services)

Additional costs keeping customers informed about delayed orders.

Lost business through customers cancelling delayed orders

Reduced demand (customers expressing concerns about delivery times, or reduced footfall in store)

Other (please specify)

4.How do you anticipate Royal Mail’s 16% rise in the cost of a first class stamp (to £1.10) and 10% rise in a second class stamp (to 75p) to impact your business?

I expect it will improve my trade

I can’t see it making a difference.

I anticipate marginal (<3%) impact across all categories

I anticipate moderate impact (2-10% down, or certain categories >20% down)

I anticipate significant impact (over >10% impacted overall)

5.Would the closure of your local post office impact your business? (please consider both footfall and ability to post customer orders)

I expect it would improve my trade

I can’t see it making a difference.

I anticipate marginal (<3%) impact across all categories

I anticipate moderate impact (2-10% down, or certain categories >20% down)

I anticipate significant impact (over >10% impacted overall)

6.It has been reported that Royal Mail have asked the government to reduce the number of days they are required to deliver Letters from 6 to 5. How would losing a Saturday Letters delivery service affect your business?

I expect it would improve my trade

I can’t see it making a difference

The impact would be constrained to events which fall on Sundays (e.g. Mother’s Day) and would be minimal (<5% impact on related trade).

The impact would be constrained to events which fall on Sundays, but would be more significant (>5% on related trade)

I anticipate marginal (<3%) impact across all categories

I anticipate moderate impact (2-10% down, or certain categories >20% down)

I anticipate significant impact (over >10% impacted overall)

7.Do you have any other points we need to know in relation to your experience of the postal service (opportunities we’re missing / concerns you have?)

8.If you would be interested to talk to Bira and/or the Press in relation to this survey, please enter your contact details below. (We will not share your details with any press contacts without prior permission)

Name

Company

ZIP/Postal Code

Email Address

Phone Number