The posting dates for 2023 have normalised after last year’s industrial dispute disruption and delivery delays, which resulted in the dates being brought forward by almost a week and crimped ‘peak season’ trade for many industry suppliers.
For 2023 the key dates are:
- Thursday 14 December for business customers using Royal Mail Bulk Economy, Business Mail (sorted) Economy, and Advertising Mail Economy
- Monday 18 December for consumer 2nd Class, 2nd Class Signed For, and Tracked 48.
Also 2nd Class Business, Advertising and Publishing Mail - Wednesday 20 December for consumer 1st Class, 1st Class Signed For, and Royal Mail Tracked 24. Also 1st Class Business, Advertising and Publishing Mail
- Thursday 21 December for Special Delivery Guaranteed
- Friday 22 December Special Delivery Guaranteed Saturday delivery with extra fee
- Business customers can also send items on Saturday 23 December Special Delivery Guaranteed for delivery on Sunday 24 December (some geographic exceptions apply)
Royal Mail has also published the results of a One Poll survey of 2,000 people who have sent or received Christmas cards. It found that 77% of people said they would rather receive a physical Christmas card than a digital one.
Four out of five people (78%) said they thought Christmas cards were important for maintaining relationships with friends and family.
Greetings Cards Association CEO Amanda Fergusson commented: “This survey precisely matches what our members already appreciate – that Britain has a special love affair with cards, especially at Christmas.
“And we all love greetings cards as part of our Christmas decorations at home. Greeting cards are just amazing little things that boost mental wellbeing, support communities, your local postie, and a thriving, vibrant, creative industry that’s so important to high streets and the wider British economy.”
This year’s Christmas stamps have been designed by woodblock printing specialist and illustrator Tom Duxbury, and feature images inspired by popular Christmas carols.
Separately, Royal Mail has agreed a new partnership with TikTok Shop to help merchants selling via the popular video sharing platform.
Merchants can now integrate Royal Mail’s Click & Drop service with their TikTok Shop account to smooth delivery processes and speed up admin.
Patrick Nommensen, TikTok Shop general manager of UK Ecommerce, said: “The partnership with Royal Mail will make our merchants' lives easier and bring considerable customer benefit by streamlining and improving the fulfilment process. Working with such a trusted and established organisation will save vital time for merchants and ensure our customers get their orders as quickly as possible.”
