I noticed an Australia Post outlet promoting 50% off greeting cards on the weekend. I saw another with the same offer today. Then I saw the Government owned Australia Post outlet with all cards removed from their fixturing – as shown in the photo. I wonder if Australia Post is changing its greeting card strategy. I know that cards have been underperforming for years in the Government owned outlets, certainly not achieving the ROI or return on floor space desired by the managers of the 865 strong Government owned retail chain.
The 50% off promotion is odd. It is running for two weeks but it excludes key seasonal offers such as Easter cards. While I would expect their supplier to be funding the offer, it is unfortunate that this Government owned business is again chasing business from independent small retailers like newsagencies.
9 responses so far ↓
1 scott // Mar 2, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Mark, how can you tell which outlets are goverment owned
2 clem // Mar 2, 2009 at 12:09 PM
good question scott, how do you tell mark?
3 Mark // Mar 2, 2009 at 3:22 PM
The Australia Post Annual Report says how many they have but nothing else. I cannot find a list on their website.
4 scott // Mar 2, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Mark, so how do you know that the photo above is of a goverment owned outlet
5 Mark // Mar 2, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Scott, It’s at Forest Hill, opposite my newsagency. I know it’s government owned.
6 Michael // Mar 2, 2009 at 4:38 PM
I think it’s the one’s that sell BBQs, mobile phones, computer keyboards etc. There’s two AP outlets near me which are privately owned that don’t sell that type of stuff.
7 Angelo // Mar 2, 2009 at 5:05 PM
They have a full new display of Simson cards at the
Burwood NSW Ap which is government owned.
8 Mark // Mar 2, 2009 at 6:20 PM
It would be an interesting move if they charne card companies Angelo. They have not enjoyed success with other card companies.
9 Derek // Mar 2, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Scott
In 2004 there was 872, some interesting history in the first link.
http://www.cpa.org.au/garchve04/1185austpost.html
http://www.auspost.com.au/EDP/0,1398,CH3168%257EMO19,00.html
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