Businesses and consumers might want to pause a moment before they press the send key on that e-Christmas card, because the overwhelming majority of people prefer to receive the real thing rather than a digital alternative.
While email marketing is proving more popular than ever, it seems ‘snail mail’ is beating it hands down when it comes to seasonal greetings.
A new survey conducted by Pitney Bowes quizzed 1,080 consumers in the UK whether they preferred an e-card to a ‘real’ Christmas card, with an overwhelming 85% voting for the latter.
Nearly 40% said this was because it was lovely to think someone cared enough to write and post a card, and more than 46% said it was because this kind of card was more personal than an e-card.
Just 6% said they felt e-cards were preferable because they help reduce carbon footprint and 2% of those asked said they did not like Christmas cards cluttering up their house.
Pitney Bowes Global Mailing Solutions head of marketing Simon Martindill said: “It seems we’re still traditionalists at heart, which is rather cheering to know at this time of year.”
