12-11-2025

Solid first half performance with accelerated progress on multi-channel shop and locker strategy across Royal Mail and GLS. International Distribution Services (“IDS”) today announces its half year results for the period ended 28 September 2025. Group revenue was £6.45 billion, up 1.6% on the same period last year (up by 2.6% excluding the impact of the 2024 UK general election).

Royal Mail revenue increased 1.5% to £3.98 billion year-on-year. Excluding UK general election mail in 2024, revenue was up 3.0%. Total parcel volumes saw strong growth of 5% to 661 million, led by both international and domestic growth. Addressed letter volume (excluding elections) was down 10%.

GLS revenue was up 1.9% to £2.48 billion. Parcel volumes increased 3% to 460 million.

The first half of the year saw a rapid acceleration in the expansion of our multi-channel shop and locker options for our customers worldwide. GLS grew its out of home network by more than 40% year-on-year to 125,000 parcel points and Royal Mail cemented its position as the UK’s largest out of home network with over 24,000 parcel points, the acquisition of a 49% stake in Collect+ and the launch of the Royal Mail Shop brand.

Performance is set against a backdrop of rising costs and macroeconomic pressures which are expected to continue into 2026. These include National Insurance contribution increases of c.£120 million, increased wage costs in the UK business and complexities in the global trading environment.

Martin Seidenberg, Group Chief Executive Officer, said:

“IDS delivered another solid performance in the first half of the year. Customer needs are changing faster than ever and we are responding by rapidly expanding our multi-channel shop and locker network across Royal Mail and GLS. We’re not stopping there – we’ve set ourselves the ambitious target to reach 45,000 Royal Mail parcel points by 2030 and will continue to grow GLS parcel points beyond the current base of 125,000 to make life even more convenient for our customers worldwide.

“I would like to thank our people for continuing to build on our momentum. We never underestimate the important role we play at Christmas and we are hiring more people, opening temporary parcel sorting centres and putting more vans on the road to deliver for our customers again this year.”

Source: IDS