Royal Mail Losing Customer Confidence, Survey Says

The recent spate of Royal Mail postal strikes in the UK have led to a substantial proportion of small business owners losing faith in the service, according to a survey released today.

The survey conducted by the British Chambers of Commerce reflected the extent of the impact of the recent strikes on small businesses, projecting that some 55% would look to move their business away from the Royal Mail as a direct result of the delays and chaos of the last week, despite the fact that some common ground has now been reached.

It was also uncovered that around 88% of those questioned felt the strikes had negatively impacted the image of the Royal Mail, compounding negative press and growing ill feeling towards the national postal service over the last few years.

The survey suggested that a significant majority of those businesses had been transacting and settling accounts through other means than the Royal Mail over the course of the industrial dispute, with many saying they prefer the element of certainty afforded by a private courier.

However, the trade union behind the action of last week has been quick to defend its decision to disrupt services, and has suggested that the public at large remain supportive of the postal workers in their battle to ensure adequate working conditions.

The Communication Workers’ Union has for the time being called off further strike action. However, the study released today suggests that this may be too little too late for the service.

The dispute between Royal Mail and its employees has now officially come to an end, although there have been reports of wildcat strikes at certain isolated distribution centres, only further underlining the loss of confidence in the services felt by small businesses over the last month.

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