Royal Mail has launched its first consumer app, Swapshots, which aims to capture growth in the printed image market.
The free app, which is available to download from Google Play and the App Store, integrates digital technology, printing and delivery to print, post and deliver photos within three days, at a cost of 85p (US$1.20) per image. Credit can be bought via either a debit or credit card or through PayPal.
Tapping into the current personalization trend, Swapshots gives users the opportunity to customize their pictures with a message, colored filters and an overlay design. Once they are happy with their image and have entered the delivery address, Royal Mail will print the image before delivering it in an envelope. Even if they don’t know the recipient’s address, users can send a Swapshot with the ‘claim a Swapshot’ function,which allows the recipient to enter their own address once they are alerted that they have an image waiting for them.
Charlie Herbert, multichannel customer experience director at Royal Mail, said, “It’s well known that e-commerce has driven growth in UK parcel delivery. It’s less well understood that growth in digital photos is helping to sustain the popularity of the printed image. Royal Mail is uniquely positioned to bring these two elements together.
“Special moments are often captured on phones and then forgotten about, but with Swapshots users will be able to record these times, personalize them and share them with family and friends in just a few taps. It combines a high-quality, personalized digital image with the peace of mind that comes with a Royal Mail delivery. We hope it will bring the joy of sending and receiving mail to a whole new generation of customers.”
May 25, 2016