How does access to a direct mail fund worth €1m for 1000 SMEs to market their business across Ireland, and a 25% discount on posting parcels sound?
These are just some of the measures being introduced by Ireland’s postal service to help domestic business get back on it’s feet.
A dedicated eCommerce advice hub to help SMEs start trading online is also part of An Post’s €2 million worth of supports to enable Ireland’s SMEs get back to business and selling online successfully and sustainably.
There are three strands to the An Post package which may be accessed by registering for the An Post Advantage Card through anpost.com/commerce and post offices:
Discounted prices, starting with a 25% discount on An Post parcel services through the An Post Advantage card for the period of Covid-19.
A €1 million marketing fund offering €1000 worth of Direct Mail to small firms for a local advertising drive or as part of a larger marketing campaign.
These will be allocated on a first come-first service basis from Monday 24th May.
A dedicated eCommerce advice hub providing information and expert tips for help SMEs to start trading online is also being established.
This An Post initiative complements the range of recently-announced Government supports to help SMEs get back to business and the economy moving again.
Garrett Bridgeman, MD of An Post Mails & Parcels explained that this is Phase 1 of a phased support programme for SMEs with a new direct mail service for consumer product samples and a regional initiative centred around local Post Offices also being put in place to assist small firms.
“Small businesses are transforming to meet the needs of customers and An Post’s expertise and reach is helping Irish SMEs open up for business, even if their door is closed. There’s lots to be learned from the global ecommerce players in getting the digital impact, service quality and customer focus in place from the start. By adding the power of post and the convenience of the local post office to deliver a personal, human touch, we can give Irish companies a real advantage in the national and international marketplace.
“Also we’ll have emission-free deliveries in every Irish city by the end of this year and we’re already swapping out diesel vans for our electric vehicles in towns and suburbs across the country. There’ll be over 1,000 electric An Post vehicles on Irish roads by 2021 and we know this is of growing importance to online sellers and shoppers” he added.
By registering for the An Post Advantage Card at anpost.com/commerce, SMEs can also avail of bulk-buy discounts on booklets and boxes of stamps. An Post also provides lodgement and withdrawal facilities for AIB and Ulster Bank business customers, and Corporate Deposits (for business cash) at post offices, as well as Merchant Services for SMEs.
anpost.com/commerce.
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