The social function of the local shop in the year 2011

Despite the increasing popularity of Internet shopping, 98% of Dutch people still find it important that there are shops close to where they live. Almost everyone visits a local shop at least once a week. A quarter of those questioned even visit on a daily basis. The fact that the shop is close by was given as the main reason for the number of visits (56%). In the run-up to the opening of the 2600th post office, PostNL has carried out research into the social function of local shops. The research carried out by the postal operator, which has the largest retail network in the Netherlands, has shown that people are still receiving personal service quite literally around the corner from where they live. For almost a quarter of the respondents social contact was the main reason for continuing to visit the shop around the corner.

Cooking like a master chef for the children of Malawi

Amsterdam – Yesterday in Restaurant De Kas, the first copies of Master Chefs for Home Chefs part 5 were presented to Marco Selva of the World Food Programme (WFP) and to master chefs Ronald Kunis, Ramon Beuk and Jeroen de Zeeuw. Marco Selva said, “It’s really wonderful that all the chefs keep giving a recipe to the cookbook each year. It’s a great success. This is the fifth year now and everyone still works on it for free, which makes us very happy”. Master Chefs for Home Chefs will be in the shops from 16 October, World Food Day. The book is extra special because for each copy sold, a child in Malawi receives 40 meals through WFP’s school meals programme.

Stamps in 2012: featuring the Bosatlas and special country houses

The Hague – In the first half of 2012, PostNL will be issuing a stamp sheetlet celebrating the most widely used of Dutch school atlases, the Bosatlas. This sheetlet is being issued on the occasion of the publication of the new Bosatlas in 2012, and in recognition of the changes happening in the world, society and education. Since its first appearance in 1877, the Bosatlas has helped determine how generations of Dutch people see the world.

PostNL sells 51% share in Telepost S.p.A. to Manutencoop Facility Management S.p.A.

PostNL has finalized the agreement to sell its 51% share in Telepost S.p.A. to one of the co-shareholders in the company, Manutencoop Facility Management S.p.A.. Telepost S.p.A. provides a wide range of mailroom activities and related value added office services to its customers in Italy.

World premiere: Golden Earring stamp you can listen to with smartphone

Today, at the Historical Museum of The Hague, PostNL presented the first postage stamp with music. This stamp was issued in honour of the 50th anniversary of the legendary Dutch band Golden Earring. When a smartphone with a special app is held up to the music stamp, Golden Earring’s “Radar Love” plays. This stamp is the first in a series of music stamps with real sound highlighting the greatest pop albums ever released in the Netherlands. PostNL is the first in the world with this concept. Band member and co-founder Rinus Gerritsen accepted the first sheetlet from PostNL Commercial Director Ger Jacobs.

PostNL and Randstad / Tempo-Team get to work on forming innovative Job Company

• The Job Company offers PostNL employees income guarantee and prospect of new job
• The Job Company offers further practical “work to work” guidance

New PostNL rates from 1 January 2012

The Hague – PostNL will introduce new stamp rates from 1 January 2012. This change falls within the legal limits for price increases and has been reviewed by the supervisory authority. On 1 January 2012 new rates will take effect for mail items sent within the Netherlands and from the Netherlands to other European countries. The basic domestic rate for letters in the Netherlands will increase by four euro-cents to 50 euro-cents. For mail to European destinations the basic rate for letters will increase to 85 euro-cents, a six euro cents rise. The rate for mail being sent outside Europe will remain at its present 95 euro-cents. The tariff for single item parcels will not change per 1 January 2012. With these new rates, PostNL continues to charge one of the lowest postage rates in Europe (see enclosure).