Further to my post last month about the May catalogue offer from Australia Post this month’s Relax…at Tax time with Australia Post catalogue. A review of the catalogue shows another 12 pages of, mainly, product not covered in the Postal Act: Books (including Andrew Denton’s Enough Rope); Computer printers; Printer ink; Printer toner; Anti virus software; Post brand calculators (made in China); Customised rubber stamps; White boards; Padlocks; Luggage locks; Dymo label maker; Post branded stationery (made in China); Pos brand blank CDs (made in China); Shredder; Copy paper; Laminator.
While chemists are busy fighting Woolworths and Coles, newsagents are fighting tough competition from Government owned Post Offices which have moved aggressively into traditional newsagency lines.
All but one page of the 12 page Relax…at Tax time with Australia Post catalogue is for non postal service items. See for yourself here.
A visit to any of the Government owned Post Shops will further prove that pursuing stationery sales is a key growth strategy for the Corporation, especially the sale of Post branded stationery made in China.
Australia Post is leveraging its Government protected and supported brand to compete more aggressively with independent Australian small businesses like mine. The playing field is not level and no one in the Government cares.