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Business Post preliminary announcement of unaudited accounts

Posted by | May 23, 2006 | |

Business Post Group plc announces unaudited results for the year ended 31 March 2006 in line with the Trading Update of 31 March 2006. Revenue increased by 19% to GBP 278.2m and profit before tax and exceptional items totalled GBP 11.7m with reported pre-tax profit at GBP 5.0m. Underlying trading was in line with expectations. The Board remains confident of the Group’s long term potential and the prospects for recovery. Accordingly, the Board proposes a final dividend of 10.8p. Parcel services (Express; International; HomeServe) increased revenue by 5% to GBP 195.8m, but pre-exceptional operating profits declined by 43% to GBP 17.4m; operating profit was GBP 11.1m. UK Mail made further excellent progress, increasing revenue four-fold to GBP 40.4m representing 15% of Group total; operating profit was GBP3.2m. Specialist Services (UK Pallets; Courier) made good progress, increasing revenue by 18% to GBP 41.6m. Operating profit was GBP 2.1m.

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E-Commerce Sales in ’06 to Jump 20 Percent to USD 211.4B: Shop.org Study

Posted by | May 23, 2006 | |

Online retail sales this year are projected to grow 20 percent to USD 211.4 billion when including travel, according to a new study from Forrester Research for Shop.org.

The numbers, published in Shop.org’s 2006 State of Retailing Online report, are projected at USD 138 billion if travel is excluded. The same growth drivers figure this year as in years past.

“I think one of the key factors is the new categories or the more categories that people are shopping,” said Scott Silverman, executive director of Shop.org, Washington, DC.

“For 2006, the two fastest growing categories are pet supplies and cosmetics and fragrances,” he said. “These aren’t the biggest categories, but they’re the fastest growing. It illustrates the fact that customers are increasingly comfortable of buying in new categories and especially those you don’t normally associate with online retail.”

Computer hardware and software, at USD 16.8 billion, is the largest non-travel category projected this year. Autos and auto parts is next, with USD 15.9 billion. Apparel and accessories follows with USD 13.8 billion.

Pet supplies and cosmetics and fragrances are expected to post growth rates of more than 30 percent this year — more than any other category measured by Forrester.

The study of 174 retailers — not all of them members of Shop.org or its National Retail Federation parent — found that retailers increasingly are investing in multichannel integration. However, customer security is a major concern for those surveyed.

That said, e-commerce is set to get more recognition as a major revenue source within multichannel retailers.

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UPS expands French retail network through Office Depots

Posted by | May 23, 2006 | |

UPS has enlarged its retail network in France through a cooperation agreement with Office Depot, an office furniture and equipment chain. The new outlets are primarily targeted at small businesses with irregular parcel volumes. In a customer message posted on its website, UPS France said that it now offered delivery services through a total of 42 Office Depot stores in major cities across France. Parcels processed through the retail chain would be delivered to addresses in France and the EU within 24 hours, and within two days to most international destinations.

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GeoPost Boosted by Takeovers

Posted by | May 22, 2006 | |

Parcels Group GeoPost, a subsidiary of La Poste, recorded a turnover of Î2.53bn in 2005, an increase of 6.2%. Pre-tax profit was up to Î142.9m.
Growth was boosted by an increase in volumes handled in most European domestic markets, particularly in Germany, the UK and eastern Europe, and an increase in international business.

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UPS, FedEx optimistic about 2006 despite challenges

Posted by | May 22, 2006 | |

UPS Inc. and FedEx Corp. told investors here (the Bear Stearns Global Transportation Conference) they see the rest of the year being at least comparable with and probably superior to the boom that was 2005. However, they also said they grappled with continuing operating challenges. Both rivals are dealing with labor issues. “The economy is steady now, but will be more challenged going forward,” UPS Chief Financial Officer Scott Davis said, referring to difficulties that could be caused by rising energy prices and interest rates. “But we think the small-package sector will grow faster than the economy,” he added. James Hudson, a FedEx vice president, said he thinks business could be particularly good because “we’re expecting industrial production to grow by 3.7% this year, up from 3.2% last year.” He also said he sees 2007 as a “stable” year.

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NCR boosts ATM presence in Italy

Posted by | May 22, 2006 | |

NCR Corp. has landed a deal with the national Italian Post Office to supply 1,000 NCR automated teller machines. Poste Italiane will install the new ATMs across Italy by this fall. Exact terms of the deal were not disclosed, but NCR said it was a multimillion euro deal. In addition to dispensing cash, the new ATMs will allow customers to pay bills and taxes using postal slips. The new service at the ATM kiosk will save customers from standing in line as well as free staff to improve customer service. Poste Italiane, which offers postal services as well as integrated communication, logistics and financial services, has 140 branch offices and about 14,000 post offices.

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Japan Post's mail service seen to have incurred 99 pct profit fall

Posted by | May 22, 2006 | |

Japan Post saw net profit in its mail and parcel service in fiscal 2005 fall 99 pct from the previous year to 200 million yen, informed sources said Monday.
The mail and parcel service experienced a fall in business volume for the fourth straight year due to lower demand reflecting the spread of the Internet, the sources said. In addition, the segment’s personnel costs increased in the year to March after the public company boosted wages to part-time workers. Heavy computer system development costs to prepare for the privatization, slated to begin in October 2007, also weighed on its earnings.

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SNAS/DHL opens state of the art express center in Abha

Posted by | May 22, 2006 | |

SNAS/DHL has opened its newly built state of the art express center in Abha. The refurbishment and relocation of the Abha center reaffirms SNAS/DHL’s long-term commitment to the Kingdom and heralds further expansion of capacity and investment amid a boom in the Saudi express and logistics market. The strategy was announced at a ceremony held at the opening of the new center on the Abha Khamis Mushait highway. SNAS/DHL will execute a series of major initiatives in 2006, including investing in their infrastructure in rural areas across the Kingdom. SNAS/DHL will also increase the number of branches from the current 42 nationwide. Through a comprehensive upgrading of network, infrastructure and human resources capabilities, the Abha center will significantly strengthen SNAS/DHL’s market leadership in Saudi Arabia, and highlight its strong confidence in the Saudi market.

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