Bpost, the Belgian postal company, is awaiting clarity on its new contract for distributing newspapers and magazines amidst recommendations for its competitors to take over.
The company expressed their views following reports in De Tijd and L’Echo suggesting the Ministry of Economy recommended the newspaper contract not be awarded to Bpost, but instead to rivals PPP and Proximy.
"Just like everyone else, we learned of the latest developments in the press concession issue through the media," Bpost responded, admitting it has many queries at present.
The Belgian Government, they explained, now has to decide on the validity of the candidacies and who they wish to proceed with.
“Bpost has always positioned itself as a socially responsible employer. We will continue to take our responsibilities seriously. We have initiated dialogue with social partners and will monitor developments closely with them,” the company added.
The newspaper contract is paramount to Bpost’s employment opportunities, having been in their hands since 2015. The new concession for the distribution of newspapers and magazines starts next year and runs until 2028.
End of yellow pre-paid
Bpost also announced that it would stop selling its last yellow pre-paid postcard, previously popular for use in competitions on television. Citing a move toward digital communication, the company has says they are now redundant.
Today, most people who participate in competitions tend to do so via a website or app. Prior to the internet, however, these entries were often submitted via a yellow pre-paid postcard, without the need for envelopes or stamps.
Despite diminishing use, Bpost has continued to sell these cards through its online store until recently. "We have run out of stock and will no longer be replenishing it," stated spokesperson Veerle Van Mierlo. However, any remaining yellow postcards can still be used if they are sufficiently stamped.
The history of the postcard dates back over 150 years. The Austrian post was the first to introduce it on 1 October 1869. The “Correspondenz Karten” proved to be an instant success, with a million copies sold within a month.
