Traditional service is in the bag at Target
Interview with Paul Murray, Chief Executive
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UPS pilot layoffs follow slump in package-delivery business
UPS plans to layoff as many as 100 pilots, about four percent of its total, in the latest sign of the stubborn slump in package deliveries. The layoffs are the first since UPS launched its own airline in 1988. The Atlanta company, which said no additional job cuts are planned, hopes to avoid at least some layoffs by offering leaves of absence or “voluntary separation plans,” a spokesman said
Read MoreCouriers in Australia win express race
Courier companies say they might be more expensive than Express Post but they have an important edge: late pick-up, early delivery. An experiment by The Australian last week, with three packages sent from each of three locations, showed that Australia Post’s express mail managed to either beat the competitors into the hands of the recipient — or at least tie. And at considerably lower cost. Last week’s survey of nine satchels using two private companies and Australia Post showed similar delivery times for all services regardless of price. But it used a 9am pick-up time, which TNT‘s Peter Longley believes levelled the playing field for the government service.
Read MoreCustomers will pay congestion charge
Most express and logistics companies will pass London’s congestion charge on to customers after it comes into force next Monday. Others are looking to restructure their operations to absorb the GBP5 a day charge to enter central London. A survey by the FTA found 80% of its members would pass on costs associated with the charges to customers.
Read MoreTakeover brings a buzz – UK sameday courier CitySprint buys Hornets
UK sameday courier company CitySprint has bought Hornets, an independent despatch business offering UK and international services. The purchase is expected to increase CitySprint’s annual turnover by around 12% to more than £30m (Euro45m). Hornet’s vans, motorbikes and bicycles will be added to CitySprint’s fleet of 1,200 vehicles, although Hornets will operate as a division of CitySprint.
Read MoreUPS Rolls Out Re-Branding Program to Mail Boxes Etc. Franchisees in US
UPS today announced a plan that will allow 3,300 Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE) franchisees based in the 48 contiguous United States to convert their retail centers to The UPS Store. The program also enables store owners to considerably lower the prices they offer consumers for UPS air express, ground and international shipping services.
Read More“Wreck-u-lation” damages chances of agreement on stamp prices, says Leighton
Postcomm has stunned Royal Mail by slipping into its proposed price controls a potentially fatal condition on how competitors will get access to the company’s network of sorting and delivery offices, Royal Mail Chairman Allan Leighton said today. Mr Leighton said he was appalled at the way the regulator, without any prior warning or publicity, had buried a ruinously low assumption on access price in the detail of the 240-page document on Royal Mail’s future prices, published last Thursday. “It is now very clear that Royal Mail can expect just 14p for First Class letters if competitors collect mail and then give it to our sorting and delivery offices for the journey to customers’ letter boxes. 14p is an absurdly low price compared to the basic 27p First Class stamp.”
Read MoreAssempre accuses Correos of anti-competitive practices
The liberalisation of the postal sector in Spain has led to a bitter dispute between Correos, the former monopoly, and private operators. According to ASEMPRE, the association of delivery companies, the subsidies which Correos is supposed to use to make sure the whole of Spain has a postal service are in fact also used by the former monopoly to lower prices in other areas and squeeze out other operators.
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