Save 5p per item with new COVID-19 Open for Business Incentive

UPDATE - 20th May 2020 - Scheme has now been extended.

Following the popularity of the COVID-19 Open for Business Incentive, Royal Mail have now extended the scheme from a volume cap of 20 million items to 120 million items.

The incentive is running until 31 December 2020, and is designed to assist businesses with directly engaging with customers and prospects, and provide a much needed boost to their trading and advertising activity.

The changing nature of the Covid-19 situation in the UK means that different segments of the market may wish to engage their customers and prospects at a time which is going to be most impactful. To ensure that businesses are able to receive the support when they need it, and with an emphasis on supporting shorter term volume to keep the market active,  the allocation of the overall incentive volume cap (including currently approved applications) is being split as follows:

• 40 million items for May and June;
• 60 million items for July to September;
• 20 million items for October to December.

Royal Mail are currently processing over 130 applications received since the incentive launched on 6 May 2020. We can help you with your application and handle all of the paper work for you.

As Boris announced last week that we're over the peak of the outbreak and further announcements to come on Sunday about the easing of lockdown restrictions we can start to cast our minds to how we will come out of this. Royal Mail have launched a new COVID-19 incentive which saves a massive 5p per item. This has the potential to save 1000's of pounds and get your message directly in the hands of your audience at this much needed time. 

Incentive at a glance

1. Available on Mailings until 31st December 2020
2. Save up to 5p per item
3. Discounts paid as credit on future mailings
4. Valid on Mailings of 20,000 to 1,000,000 items
5. Available on Advertising Mail, Responsible Mail and Partially Addressed Mail too
6. Pepper will complete all of the necessary admin on your behalf so you can sit back and concentrate on what you do best

Which mailings are covered?

The incentive covers any mailing that is mailed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and includes:

 Any mailing from a retailer forced to close its doors, which encourages a consumer to visit their website to purchase, or promotes availability of home delivery, including catalogues and brochures.

 Any mailing from a retailer previously forced to close its doors promoting store opening arrangements.

 Any mailing from a Charity with the primary purpose being a request for donations.

 Any new mailing which was necessitated by a brand’s current media channel (for example Cinema, In-Store, Out of Home) being unable to provide the reach required due to Covid-19.

 Any mailing from a magazine publisher or newspaper promoting direct to home subscriptions.

 Any mailing from a brand in the Travel and Tourism sector to promote purchase/products.

 Any mailing from a brand in the ‘away from home’ Entertainment sector to promote future/rescheduled activity. For example, Cinema, Theatre, Festivals and Restaurants.

 Any mailing from a brand to vulnerable customers to support their physical or mental wellbeing.

 Any new mailing from a brand to reassure and thank consumers/customers in-light of the impact of Covid-19 as the mailers primary purpose.

 Any new mailing from a brand promoting additional product benefits where the original product is unable to be fully utilised due to Covid-19. For example, 3 free months in car breakdown cover or cash back from vehicle insurers to recognise under use of insurance premium.

How does it work?

Pepper will take care of all of the necessary paperwork and admin so that you can just enjoy the benefit of seeing the postal credit roll in. Our years of experience in preparing applications for incentives ensures that your campaign will run smoothly. The credit will be applied to your account once the mailing has been verified by Royal Mail.

How does this benefit me?

This is a key time to be communicating with your audience and building your brand. Mail is one of the best ways to do this, as its tangible nature implies and instills trust and reassurance.  Being able to do this at a discounted rate is all the better. At Pepper we believe that that any discount is should always be taken advantage of and we have a long heritage in ensuring that our clients are always taking advantage of any cost reduction and incentive that is available.

These postage credits can be used on future mailings, so reducing your postage cost in the latter part of the year and in the lead up to Christmas.

In Summary

Over our 38 year history this is the largest incentive that we have seen in terms of per item discount from Royal Mail and is not be be missed. It can offer some true cost reductions of  your postage across the remainder of the year.

If you'd like to have a chat about how we can help you take advantage of this then please get in touch on email sales@pepper.co.uk or call the team on 01752 348800.