Ryman strikes PO shops deal
The Post Office has signed a deal with stationer Ryman, which will operate concessions within its branches.
The two companies have already started trials in six Post Offices across the country. The new concessions replace Post Shops. If the trials are deemed a success after six months, the concessions will be rolled out to the majority of main Post Offices.
Two London stores now have Ryman-branded concessions, while Post Offices in Gloucester, Manchester, Ilford and Wolverhampton have Partners-branded sections. Partners is a Ryman subsidiary.
The concessions are all operated and managed by Ryman staff and sell a full range of stationery products including packaging, writing materials, general office supplies, cartridges and greetings cards. Post Office products such as stamps, mobile phone top-up cards and BT phonecards are also stocked.
A Post Office spokesperson said: “It was felt the Post Shop was not realising its retail potential. We are looking at deals involving companies known for that specific retailing sector.”
The Post Office began testing dedicated greetings cards concessions, run by the Birthdays retail chain, in six stores in May.
The Post Office is also testing live radio services in 14 of its retail outlets (MW last week).
