Royal mail and parcelforce
Two popular courier services in the UK!
Royal Mail
Royal Mail is the UK's official postal service, responsible for delivering mail and parcels to over 29 million addresses across the country. Here are some key facts about Royal Mail:
- Founded in 1516, making it one of the oldest postal services in the world
- Delivers over 12 billion items every year, including letters, parcels, and packages
- Offers a range of services, including First Class, Second Class, and Special Delivery
- Has a network of over 14,000 post offices and 100,000 postboxes across the UK
- Employs over 150,000 people
Parcelforce
Parcelforce is a parcel delivery service owned by Royal Mail, but operates independently. Here are some key facts about Parcelforce:
- Founded in 1966 as a separate entity from Royal Mail
- Specializes in parcel delivery, with a focus on speed and reliability
- Offers a range of services, including 24-hour, 48-hour, and 2-day delivery options
- Has a network of over 50 depots and sorting offices across the UK
- Employs over 10,000 people
Key differences between Royal Mail and Parcelforce
- Royal Mail focuses on mail delivery, while Parcelforce specializes in parcel delivery
- Royal Mail has a broader range of services, including letter delivery, while Parcelforce focuses on parcel delivery
- Parcelforce is generally faster and more reliable than Royal Mail for parcel delivery, but may be more expensive
When to use each service
- Use Royal Mail for:
- Sending letters and small packages
- Delivering items that don't require a specific delivery time
- Using a more affordable option for smaller items
- Use Parcelforce for:
- Sending larger or heavier packages
- Requiring a specific delivery time or tracking information
- Using a faster and more reliable option for parcel delivery
Ultimately, the choice between Royal Mail and Parcelforce depends on your specific needs and preferences.