Trends in consumer and business direct mail volumes

A comprehensive overview of the direct mail market from the 1980s to December 2009, this exclusive Royal Mail-produced data reveals the trends in direct mail and how it is affected by the wider economy.

It also compares mail volumes across the consumer and business sectors and examines the volumes across all industry sectors, including finance, government, home shopping, telecoms, travel, and utilities.

Key insights include:

• B2C direct mail increased its share of total volume between 2005 and 2009 at the expense of B2B mail.

• Financial services direct mail accounts for 24% of all post that lands on the doormat, and between October and December 2009, 20% of direct mail was generated by the financial sector.

•  24% of direct mail came from the retail or home shopping sectors.

• The credit crunch triggered a decrease in financial direct mail, but there has been an increase in mail from the telecomms sector.

• Seasonal trends show an increase in mail in the leisure sector.