In a significant change, Posten, Norway's postal service, has raised the price of sending domestic letters from 25 to 28 kroner, while also replacing the traditional weight intervals with new envelope size categories: small, large, extra large, and extra large plus. This update, effective from February 1, indicates a shift in how postal services are structured to adapt to changing consumer habits.

Since 2001, the price of stamps has surged by over 455%, dramatically outpacing the general inflation rate of 78.8% in the same period. The rising costs reflect the reduced volume of letters being sent, which has plummeted by over 80% in the last 25 years, whereas package volumes have soared due to the growth of online shopping. This change in pricing strategy signifies the postal service's response to the evolving market and consumer behavior.

The new pricing system means that comparisons to historical stamp prices are no longer valid, and consumers will need to adjust to the new categories as they plan to send mail. With the continuing trend of declining letter volumes and increasing package demand, Posten's strategies not only highlight the challenges faced by traditional mail services but also indicate a broader transformation in how postal services operate in today's digital economy.