GITNUXREPORT 2025

Direct Mail Advertising Statistics

Direct mail achieves higher response, trust, ROI, and consumer engagement than digital.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average cost of a standard-sized direct mail piece is about $0.20 to $0.50

Statistic 2

35% of marketers plan to increase their direct mail budget over the next year

Statistic 3

58% of marketers use direct mail to reach high-value or key accounts

Statistic 4

61% of direct mail campaigns include a call-to-action, resulting in increased engagement and conversions

Statistic 5

The likelihood of a consumer making a purchase increases by 17% when they receive a well-targeted direct mail piece

Statistic 6

55% of consumers state that they are more likely to buy from a company that sends them direct mail offers

Statistic 7

45% of direct mail contains an incentive or coupon to encourage immediate action

Statistic 8

56% of consumers find direct mail more personal than digital communications

Statistic 9

54% of consumers say they prefer direct mail for receiving promotions

Statistic 10

70% of Americans trust direct mail advertisements when making purchasing decisions

Statistic 11

73% of people believe direct mail is more trustworthy than digital ads

Statistic 12

69% of consumers keep promotional print mail for future reference

Statistic 13

55% of consumers say they conduct online research after receiving direct mail

Statistic 14

44% of consumers say they prefer to receive promotional content via direct mail rather than email

Statistic 15

60% of respondents say they prefer to receive promotional offers via direct mail over other marketing channels

Statistic 16

87% of recipients find direct mail to be less intrusive than digital ads

Statistic 17

65% of consumers find personalized offers in direct mail to be more appealing

Statistic 18

70% of consumers say they prefer personalized direct mail over generic advertising

Statistic 19

The average ROI for direct mail marketing is 13:1

Statistic 20

Customer lifetime value is higher for recipients of personalized direct mail, with an increase of 20%

Statistic 21

40% of direct mail recipients make a purchase because of the piece they received

Statistic 22

90% of direct mail is read or kept, increasing the chance of brand recall

Statistic 23

72% of small businesses consider direct mail to be a more effective marketing channel than digital

Statistic 24

Using augmented reality (AR) in direct mail campaigns can increase customer engagement by up to 50%

Statistic 25

80% of marketers agree that direct mail complements digital marketing efforts effectively

Statistic 26

The average cost per lead generated from direct mail campaigns is $58, compared to $22 for digital campaigns

Statistic 27

63% of direct mail recipients are more likely to visit a website or store after receiving a direct mail piece

Statistic 28

Direct mail has a response rate of 4.4%, compared to email's response rate of 0.12%

Statistic 29

82% of people open every piece of direct mail they receive

Statistic 30

45% of recipients read or scan their direct mail immediately

Statistic 31

The response rate for house lists in direct mail is 9%, while for prospect lists, it is 2.9%

Statistic 32

Personalized direct mail campaigns have a 135% greater response rate than non-personalized campaigns

Statistic 33

Millennials are 15% more likely than older generations to open direct mail

Statistic 34

84% of recipients of direct mail say they either read or scan the mail carefully

Statistic 35

90% of direct mail pieces are opened within the first month of receipt

Statistic 36

QR codes on direct mail pieces have a 60% scan rate, leading to higher engagement

Statistic 37

The average response rate for targeted direct mail is 4.9%, higher than email, which is 0.6%

Statistic 38

The average open rate for direct mail in the retail industry is 20-30%, higher than the email average

Statistic 39

The response rate for direct mail campaigns targeting existing customers is 9%, versus 4.4% for new prospects

Statistic 40

Consumers spend on average 30 minutes per week engaging with direct mail, including reading and reviewing

Statistic 41

The average lifespan of a direct mail piece during the decision process is approximately 17 days

Statistic 42

78% of brands plan to increase their direct mail budget to capitalize on higher response rates

Statistic 43

The volume of direct mail sent in the US is over 100 billion pieces annually

Statistic 44

The average household receives about 4.4 pieces of direct mail per week

Statistic 45

59% of marketers in North America use direct mail as part of their marketing mix

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Sources

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Key Highlights

Direct mail has a response rate of 4.4%, compared to email's response rate of 0.12%
56% of consumers find direct mail more personal than digital communications
The average ROI for direct mail marketing is 13:1
82% of people open every piece of direct mail they receive
54% of consumers say they prefer direct mail for receiving promotions
70% of Americans trust direct mail advertisements when making purchasing decisions
The volume of direct mail sent in the US is over 100 billion pieces annually
45% of recipients read or scan their direct mail immediately
The average household receives about 4.4 pieces of direct mail per week
73% of people believe direct mail is more trustworthy than digital ads
69% of consumers keep promotional print mail for future reference
The response rate for house lists in direct mail is 9%, while for prospect lists, it is 2.9%
59% of marketers in North America use direct mail as part of their marketing mix

Did you know that despite the rise of digital marketing, over 80% of consumers open every piece of direct mail they receive, making it one of the most trusted and effective channels for engaging customers and driving sales?

Campaign Strategies and Personalization

The average cost of a standard-sized direct mail piece is about $0.20 to $0.50
35% of marketers plan to increase their direct mail budget over the next year
58% of marketers use direct mail to reach high-value or key accounts
61% of direct mail campaigns include a call-to-action, resulting in increased engagement and conversions
The likelihood of a consumer making a purchase increases by 17% when they receive a well-targeted direct mail piece
55% of consumers state that they are more likely to buy from a company that sends them direct mail offers
45% of direct mail contains an incentive or coupon to encourage immediate action

Campaign Strategies and Personalization Interpretation

With targeted, cost-effective strategies and a 17% boost in purchase likelihood, direct mail proves that in a digital age, a well-placed piece of snail mail still leaves a lasting impression—especially when nearly half carry immediate incentives.

Consumer Perceptions and Trust

56% of consumers find direct mail more personal than digital communications
54% of consumers say they prefer direct mail for receiving promotions
70% of Americans trust direct mail advertisements when making purchasing decisions
73% of people believe direct mail is more trustworthy than digital ads
69% of consumers keep promotional print mail for future reference
55% of consumers say they conduct online research after receiving direct mail
44% of consumers say they prefer to receive promotional content via direct mail rather than email
60% of respondents say they prefer to receive promotional offers via direct mail over other marketing channels
87% of recipients find direct mail to be less intrusive than digital ads
65% of consumers find personalized offers in direct mail to be more appealing
70% of consumers say they prefer personalized direct mail over generic advertising

Consumer Perceptions and Trust Interpretation

Despite the digital age, direct mail still reigns supreme in trust and personalization, proving that when it comes to making consumers feel valued and confident in their choices, nothing beats a well-crafted letter in the mailbox.

Effectiveness and Return on Investment

The average ROI for direct mail marketing is 13:1
Customer lifetime value is higher for recipients of personalized direct mail, with an increase of 20%
40% of direct mail recipients make a purchase because of the piece they received
90% of direct mail is read or kept, increasing the chance of brand recall
72% of small businesses consider direct mail to be a more effective marketing channel than digital
Using augmented reality (AR) in direct mail campaigns can increase customer engagement by up to 50%
80% of marketers agree that direct mail complements digital marketing efforts effectively
The average cost per lead generated from direct mail campaigns is $58, compared to $22 for digital campaigns
63% of direct mail recipients are more likely to visit a website or store after receiving a direct mail piece

Effectiveness and Return on Investment Interpretation

Despite the digital dominance, direct mail's impressive 13:1 ROI, high engagement rates, and personalized touch demonstrate that in a world of clicks, a well-crafted, tangible message still has the power to captivate, convert, and leave a lasting impression—especially when augmented with innovative technology like AR.

Metrics and Response Rates

Direct mail has a response rate of 4.4%, compared to email's response rate of 0.12%
82% of people open every piece of direct mail they receive
45% of recipients read or scan their direct mail immediately
The response rate for house lists in direct mail is 9%, while for prospect lists, it is 2.9%
Personalized direct mail campaigns have a 135% greater response rate than non-personalized campaigns
Millennials are 15% more likely than older generations to open direct mail
84% of recipients of direct mail say they either read or scan the mail carefully
90% of direct mail pieces are opened within the first month of receipt
QR codes on direct mail pieces have a 60% scan rate, leading to higher engagement
The average response rate for targeted direct mail is 4.9%, higher than email, which is 0.6%
The average open rate for direct mail in the retail industry is 20-30%, higher than the email average
The response rate for direct mail campaigns targeting existing customers is 9%, versus 4.4% for new prospects
Consumers spend on average 30 minutes per week engaging with direct mail, including reading and reviewing
The average lifespan of a direct mail piece during the decision process is approximately 17 days
78% of brands plan to increase their direct mail budget to capitalize on higher response rates

Metrics and Response Rates Interpretation

Given that direct mail boasts a response rate nearly 37 times higher than email and commands nearly universal open and engagement, savvy brands recognize that in a digital world, thoughtfully personalized tangible messages—especially among Millennials—still deliver a powerful punch, prompting marketers to spend more on physical marketing efforts that truly cut through the noise.

Usage Trends and Demographics

The volume of direct mail sent in the US is over 100 billion pieces annually
The average household receives about 4.4 pieces of direct mail per week
59% of marketers in North America use direct mail as part of their marketing mix

Usage Trends and Demographics Interpretation

With over 100 billion pieces annually and nearly 4.4 mailed items per household each week, it's clear that despite the digital age, direct mail remains the heavyweight champion in the marketing ring—proving there's still power in physically reaching your audience.