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13/04/2012
Royal Mail Accused Of Profiteering By Rationing Stamps
Retailers have reported a shortage of postage stamps as people are stocking up ahead on incoming price rise.
This follows Royal Mail enforcing a cap on the number of stamps that shops can buy before price rises come into force later this month, leading to accusations of profiteering.
However the postal service has said it has limited shops supplies so that they do not profit at Royal Mail’s expense ahead of the price hike on April 30.
Royal Mail spokesman James Eadie said: "This is a prudent and appropriate policy. Our priority is to ensure that the proceeds from this much needed price rise go to sustain the six-day-a-week service, which has been loss making for some time.
"We have put arrangements in place with all our major retailers to ensure that they have adequate stocks of stamps to meet customer demand."
Denying that retailers have been forced to ration stocks he said: "There is no shortage of stamps. Therefore, by definition, there is no rationing. Companies only ration if there is a genuine shortage, which there is not."
The Daily Telegraph however reported that retailers have seen a fivefold rise in sales as people stocked up on stamps at the cheaper price.
The paper said that Ocado, the online supermarket, ran out of stamps entirely earlier this month, while Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons had seen a sharp rise in demand.
Ian Murray, the shadow postal affairs minster, told the paper he would write to Ofcom, the postal regulator, urging it to investigate the "shameless profiteering at the public's expense" by Royal Mail.
This follows Royal Mail enforcing a cap on the number of stamps that shops can buy before price rises come into force later this month, leading to accusations of profiteering.
However the postal service has said it has limited shops supplies so that they do not profit at Royal Mail’s expense ahead of the price hike on April 30.
Royal Mail spokesman James Eadie said: "This is a prudent and appropriate policy. Our priority is to ensure that the proceeds from this much needed price rise go to sustain the six-day-a-week service, which has been loss making for some time.
"We have put arrangements in place with all our major retailers to ensure that they have adequate stocks of stamps to meet customer demand."
Denying that retailers have been forced to ration stocks he said: "There is no shortage of stamps. Therefore, by definition, there is no rationing. Companies only ration if there is a genuine shortage, which there is not."
The Daily Telegraph however reported that retailers have seen a fivefold rise in sales as people stocked up on stamps at the cheaper price.
The paper said that Ocado, the online supermarket, ran out of stamps entirely earlier this month, while Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons had seen a sharp rise in demand.
Ian Murray, the shadow postal affairs minster, told the paper he would write to Ofcom, the postal regulator, urging it to investigate the "shameless profiteering at the public's expense" by Royal Mail.
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27 February 2015
Royal Mail Announce Stamp Price Rise
Royal Mail has announced a price increase on first and second class stamps, to be introduced on 30 March. First class stamps will cost 63p each, with second class costing 54p. The firm also announced that the price of a large letter would increase by 2p to 95p for first class postage.
Royal Mail Announce Stamp Price Rise
Royal Mail has announced a price increase on first and second class stamps, to be introduced on 30 March. First class stamps will cost 63p each, with second class costing 54p. The firm also announced that the price of a large letter would increase by 2p to 95p for first class postage.
30 April 2012
Royal Mail Defends Stamp Price Rise
As the new prices for postage stamps begins today Royal Mail has been defending the increase, saying the rate will still be the cheapest in Europe. First class stamps rise from 46p to 60p, and second class from 36p to 50p, which still remains the bottom half of most prices in other European countries.
Royal Mail Defends Stamp Price Rise
As the new prices for postage stamps begins today Royal Mail has been defending the increase, saying the rate will still be the cheapest in Europe. First class stamps rise from 46p to 60p, and second class from 36p to 50p, which still remains the bottom half of most prices in other European countries.
03 November 2009
Christmas Stamps Depicts Nativity
Christmas is fast approaching and Royal Mail - which has created stamp collections on either religious or secular themes on alternativee years - is taking the traditional route for 2009. Royal Mail's Christmas stamps are inspired by the nativity scenes represented in stained glasses windows from churches around the UK.
Christmas Stamps Depicts Nativity
Christmas is fast approaching and Royal Mail - which has created stamp collections on either religious or secular themes on alternativee years - is taking the traditional route for 2009. Royal Mail's Christmas stamps are inspired by the nativity scenes represented in stained glasses windows from churches around the UK.
01 June 2005
Royal Mail criticises regulator’s proposals
Royal Mail has criticised proposals drawn up by industry regulator Postcomm, claiming they would lead to the “inexorable decline” of the postal operator. Postcomm has recommended price caps on the cost of stamps, meaning that first-class stamps could rise to no more than 34p and second-class stamps to no more than 23p by 2010.
Royal Mail criticises regulator’s proposals
Royal Mail has criticised proposals drawn up by industry regulator Postcomm, claiming they would lead to the “inexorable decline” of the postal operator. Postcomm has recommended price caps on the cost of stamps, meaning that first-class stamps could rise to no more than 34p and second-class stamps to no more than 23p by 2010.
18 May 2010
Stamps Recall Wartime Sacrifices
Royal Mail is paying tribute to the hundreds of thousands of men and women who 'did their bit' for the war effort during Britain's darkest hour.
Stamps Recall Wartime Sacrifices
Royal Mail is paying tribute to the hundreds of thousands of men and women who 'did their bit' for the war effort during Britain's darkest hour.
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