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US online retail spending to rise – study

Posted by | Apr 10, 2008 | |

A new study from Forrester Research predicts that despite the current economic gloom, online retail spending by US consumers will rise by 17% this year to USD 204 billion.

The study of 125 retailers for Shop.org, the online arm of the National Retail Federation, found apparel is likely to be the largest online sales category in 2008, accounting for an expected USD 26.6 billion. This is followed by computers at USD 23.9 billion, and autos at USD 19.3 billion.

But Scott Silverman, executive director, Shop.org, warns that despite the bullish predictions, e-retailers are still vulnerable to the economic situation.

“From higher shipping costs to changes in consumer shopping habits, online retailers are not immune to the current economic climate,” he says.

However the report does say that growth in the online retail market will slow as the number of people new to the Internet begins to wane and retailers struggle to decide whether to invest in strategies that retain current customers or those that attract new ones. According to the study, online retailers allocate 53% of their marketing budgets to customer acquisition and 21% to retention.

The research also suggests that online retailers will increasingly look to social networks to attract new customers. Of those questioned, 65% say they will increasingly focus on social network advertising and 55% will turn to widgets.

But Forrester strikes a note of caution, claiming social networks have been considered more effective for brand-building and less proven for driving revenue or sales conversion. Therefore retailers need to continue investments in proven techniques like e-mail marketing and free shipping promotions to drive sales.

Search engine marketing continues to be the most effective way to reach new customers, accounting for 35% of online sales. But one technique that looks to be losing favour is the offer free shipping to customers. While 85% of online retailers say they used some shipping promotions in the past, just 35% say they will focus more on these types of offers in 2008.

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Cardo Supplies Complete Door and Docking Solutions for DHL’S New Terminal in Gothenburg

Posted by | Apr 10, 2008 | |

Within its division Door & Logistics Solutions, with its corporate brand Crawford, Cardo has been commissioned to supply door and docking systems for DHL Express’s new terminal in Gothenburg which is being established in cooperation with Skanska. The order comprises 139 doors and 111 docking systems as well as a 5-year maintenance and warranty agreement.

The new terminal consists of a transshipment facility and offices covering approximately 20,000 square meters. The project was started during the fourth quarter of 2007 and is planned to be ready for use in the first quarter of 2009.

DHL Express has also chosen to invest in Crawford Dock Management – a software-based system for the monitoring and follow-up of inventory and truck traffic at complex logistics centers. Among other things, the system provides DHL Express with information on how the terminal utilizes its doors and docking units, generating a basis for decisions on optimizing internal logistics. Crawford Dock Management also sends an alarm signal via SMS or e-mail if there are any faults or when it is time for preventive maintenance, all to ensure optimal availability.

DHL Express is investing in technical solutions that, among other things, promote good ergonomics. For example, the company has chosen dock levelers with telescopic aluminum lips that provide a smooth transition. These prevent work-related injuries to knees and backs and reduce wear on forklifts. DHL Express has also chosen electrical operation of all doors, giving a more comfortable work environment and minimizing energy losses.

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TNT Post launches wireless carbon calculator to help staff go green

Posted by | Apr 10, 2008 | |

TNT Post is encouraging its employees to go green by launching the UK’s first WAP-enabled [wireless] mobile phone carbon calculator.

The tool allows workers to calculate and measure carbon emissions, access ‘green’ tips and offset their carbon footprint.

The postal company wanted to develop a product that could be used anytime, anywhere, to help encourage employees to take action at home and in their personal lives,

Staff who wish to offset their carbon emissions can do so by making tax-free donations to woodland conservation charity Woodland Trust. One tree is planted per GBP 5 donated, with five trees required to offset one carbon tonne.

TNT plans to launch the mobile carbon calculator to the public later this year.

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UPS & FedEx eye overseas growth

Posted by | Apr 10, 2008 | |

With the U.S. economy waning and its outlook for recovery uncertain, the shipping industry, too, is eyeing overseas growth opportunities to offset tough times at home.

But while bellwethers like UPS Inc. and FedEx Corp. seek to reduce their dependency on the wobbly domestic economy, they still cannot afford to stop focusing on their core U.S. operations, analysts say.

UPS cut its first-quarter earnings forecast because of higher fuel costs, a weakening U.S. economy and reduced domestic package volume.

Last month, reported a 6 percent drop in third-quarter earnings and said a slow economy and high fuel prices are expected to continue cutting into profits. It predicted fourth-quarter earnings would be lower than a year ago and its earnings growth would be limited in the next fiscal year.

The company said that by 2010, it intends to increase to 40 percent the percentage of its operating income that comes from its international and supply chain/freight operations. That compares to 32 percent last year.

In turn, it intends to reduce from 68 percent to 60 percent the percentage of its operating income that comes from U.S. domestic operations. UPS is eyeing China, India and Europe for growth opportunities.

FedEx, meanwhile, said last month that it is depending heavily on its ongoing growth overseas. Sales at the company’s cargo airline saw double-digit growth recently primarily because of growth in international express shipments.

But analysts who follow UPS and FedEx said the shippers will still need to rely on their home market in years to come.

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Post Office Ltd to trial further ways to provide sustainable services (UK)

Posted by | Apr 9, 2008 | |

Post Office Ltd has announced that it will trial further ways of providing services in UK communities on a sustainable basis. Post Office Ltd has already gone ahead with more than 100 “outreach” outlets in rural communities, which provide Post Office services for reduced or flexible hours through local partners or through a mobile Post Office – and now has a further 130 in the pipeline. Based on this encouraging early experience, Post Office Ltd has decided to extend the outreach trials into urban communities which, if successful, could mean a significant number of additional outreach branches over and above the 500 originally planned. These additional trials will be undertaken during the remainder of 2008 and evaluated early next year.

The trials are a key part of Post Office Ltd’s on-going strategy to maintain a sustainable network of around 12,000 outlets across the UK following implementation of the Government’s decision to close up to 2,500 existing branches and open 500 outreach outlets. This further outreach model could well form an integral part of the Post Office Ltd’s future strategy for strengthening its commercial and financial performance.

Post Office Ltd also said today it would ensure more involvement for MPs going forward by engaging with them 10 days before the start of the public consultation in their constituencies in relation to the current Network Change programme, rather than a few days before the consultation begins as at present. Post Office Ltd will also automatically offer each MP a further meeting once the consultation is underway to discuss their concerns.

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Royal Mail to trial extra mobile post offices, consult MPs earlier on closures

Posted by | Apr 9, 2008 | |

Royal Mail Group said it will trial ‘outreach’ post offices in urban areas, after successfully introducing more than 100 of the facilities based in vans, shops and community centres in rural communities.

The outreach branches, which will eventually number 500 in the countryside, have been created to retain some services following the planned closure of 2,500 post offices across the country, it said.

The Communications Workers Union, however, said the proposed outreach services were not a genuine alternative to post office branches, and they were only needed because of the closure programme.

Post Office Ltd also said today it would increase the involvement of MPs in the branch closure process by engaging with them 10 days before the start of public consultations.

This move was dismissed by the CWU, which said earlier notification will have no effect on the disappearance of post offices until the consultation process is changed.

‘We again call on the government and Post Office to place a moratorium on further closures and franchises and to sign up to genuine consultation process which lasts 12, not six, weeks,’ Furey said.

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Robin Boon appointed Group Director Communications at TNT

Posted by | Apr 9, 2008 | |

Robin Boon (42) has been appointed as Group Director Communications of TNT N.V. effective 1 April 2008. Before joining TNT, Robin worked in communications for nearly fourteen years, eight years at ABN Amro, initially leading the press department, and the last four years as head of Group Communications. Prior to that he worked three years managing press relations for Fortis, and for a financial public relations agency.

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Itella studies and develops the usability of Posti web service

Posted by | Apr 9, 2008 | |

Itella is developing public web services to make them more user-friendly. The project will start with the Posti.fi website, one of Finland’s most frequently used electronic transaction services. During the spring of 2008, Itella and Logica will cooperate in a study on how the current website serves senior citizens and how the usability of the site could be improved, both as regards senior users and other website visitors.

The Posti website attracts almost one million visits on a monthly basis. The use of the Internet both for information searches and eTransactions is increasing, and a growing number of senior citizens use the Web for various transactions. – In future, the easy usability of online services will be one of the key features of the information society in providing services for people of all ages. Itella wants to be the first to contribute to this cause, comments Tarja Hopeakangas, Business Development Manager responsible for Itella’s online services.

In April, Itella and Logica will test and study the usability of the current Posti website with a test group comprising people of 60 years of age or over. Enter ry, a senior citizens’ information technology association, is contributing to the selection of the test group. The association has participated in many public sector projects as an expert and usability tester. The tests will provide valuable information on how to make it easier to search for information.

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