1-800-FLOWERS signs up for USPS same-day delivery
The new same-day delivery service being tested by the US Postal Service has signed up its first big-name customer – Internet florist 1-800-FLOWERS.COM. USPS is trialling same day deliveries in San Francisco under its new brand name “Metro Post”, with hopes of expanding the service to other US cities if it proves successful.
The Postal Service revealed today that it has signed a strategic alliance with New York-based 1-800-FLOWERS, to use its trial service to deliver some of its gourmet food lines same-day.
This will include popcorn and treats from the firm’s Popcorn Factory brand, cookies and baked goods from Cheryl’s, chocolates and confections from Fannie May and gift baskets from 1-800-Baskets.com.
Consumers will be able buy items at a 1-800-FLOWERS retail store or on one of its websites by 2pm for delivery between 4pm and 8pm.
Gary Reblin, the vice president domestic products at USPS, said the Metro Post service was aiming to “revolutionise” the shipping industry.
“Building relationships with prominent retailers like 1-800-FLOWERS.COM will help us leverage our capabilities by making same day delivery a standard option on retail websites,” he said.
Gourmet
1-800-FLOWERS is a $714m-a-year company selling flowers and gifts across the United States, operating since 1976 with a slight name change in 1999 to match its website address.
“At 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, we’re all about helping our customers deliver smiles, said Chris McCann, President at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM.
“We’ve been doing it with same-day floral deliveries for more than 35 years and now with the Postal Service’s Metro Post service, we’re very excited to be able to expand our same-day gift offerings to include some of our great gourmet food brands.”
USPS received regulatory approval last month to run the Metro Post trial for one year, with up to 10 retail chains.
There trial will involve about 200 deliveries per day in the San Francisco area.
If it proves successful as an alternative revenue source for struggling USPS, the Postal Service would have to apply for fresh regulatory approval to establish a permanent, larger service.
But, hopes are the project will build on the booming demand for ecommerce in the United States and the Postal Service’s own growing package business.
Reblin said: “The Postal Service is committed to building and driving strategic relationships to improve our customers’ experience. USPS will work with multiple retailers that have both an online presence and physical ‘brick and mortar’ stores or warehouses within a given metro area.”
