Official figures released by the Direct Mail Information Service show that, in the January to March period, volume rose 4.2% over the same period in 2002 - hitting 1.421 billion items.

Expenditure was up 4.5%, rising from £629.9m in the first quarter of 2002 to £658.2m in the same period this year. This figure is split between production (59%) at £389.4m and postage (41%) at £268.8m.

An analysis of the consumer volume figures shows that the increase has been fuelled by a sharp rise in mailings from the education sector where volume rose 30.8% year on year to 4.42 million items and the financial sector, which increased 16.7% year on year to 279.47 million items.

Only one major sector showed a significant drop. Mailings from utilities companies fell by 16.6% to 48.02 million items.

All the socio-economic groupings have seen a rise in Direct Mail volumes with DEs showing the greatest increase, of nearly 13% on the 2002 figure, to 332.65 million items.

All age groups have also seen an increase in the amount of Direct Mail they receive. The most significant rise being for the 45-54 age group, up 19.4% on last year to 199.82 million items; but the over 65s are still enjoying the lion's share with 243.77 million items delivered through their letterboxes over the first three months of 2003.

Business to business volume has decreased year on year for this quarter but the moving annual figure shows a steady increment over the last 12 months.

Over the last 12 months (April 02-March 03) total Direct Mail volume has reached 5290 million items, up 6% on the previous 12-month period.

Commenting on the figures, DMIS Managing Director, Jo Howard-Brown, says: "Direct Mail continually shows year on year growth with volume increasing by 130% over the past 12 years. As growth continues apace there appears to be no reason why both volume and expenditure in 2003 cannot outstrip last year's record figures."

Direct Mail Volume First Quarter 2002 Vs 2003 (Business and Consumer)

For further information please contact:

Ms Jo Howard-Brown - Managing Director
Telephone: 020 7494 0483
Facsimile: 020 7494 0455
E-mail: jo@dmis.co.uk

Notes for Editors:

DMIS has published Direct Mail volume and expenditure on behalf of the Royal Mail since 1981. DMIS figures are used by the Advertising Association in the official breakdown of usage by medium. DMIS also produces a range of quantitative and qualitative research on Direct Mail usage and consumer and business perceptions.