Royal Mail to add barcodes to stamps
Melanie May | 7 February 2022 | News
Following a successful national trial, Royal Mail is adding unique barcodes to all its Definitive stamps – the ‘everyday’ stamps featuring the Queen’s profile.
Recipients of mail featuring a barcoded stamp can currently watch an exclusive video by scanning the stamps in the Royal Mail App. The video features Shaun the Sheep, created exclusively for Royal Mail by British animation studio, Aardman. The video is the first in a series of planned videos to be released during 2022 that will allow customers sending stamped mail to choose which video the recipient can see when they receive an item of mail.
Our new barcoded stamps have arrived. They enable you to digitally link exclusive videos to your stamp.
Find out how to share the antics of @shaunthesheep with someone you know at: https://t.co/diAbERVBaI pic.twitter.com/GJUArsyu0rAdvertisement
— Royal Mail (@RoyalMail) February 1, 2022
The new barcoded stamps will have a digital twin and the two will be connected by the Royal Mail App. The barcodes match the stamp colour and sit alongside the main body of the stamp, separated by a simulated perforation line.
Non-barcoded Definitive and Christmas stamps will remain valid until 31 January 2023. Customers are being encouraged to use their non-barcoded stamps before this date. Alternatively, non-barcoded stamps can be exchanged for the new barcoded version through Royal Mail’s ‘Swap Out’ scheme.
This will open on 31 March and customers will be able send unused stamps via a Freepost address. Forms will be available via a variety of channels, including local Customer Service Points; the Royal Mail website and via its Customer Experience team. Further details will be announced shortly.
Nick Landon, Royal Mail Chief Commercial Officer said:
“Introducing unique barcodes on our postage stamps allows us to connect the physical letter with the digital world and opens up the possibilities for a range of new innovative services in future.”
About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.