Global contract logistics sees double digit growth
Global contract logistics sees double digit growth
Read MoreAuthor: Archive
Postal Market liberalised in 2011
Member states have reached a compromise deal to liberalise postal services in the EU by 2011, following more than 20 years of Commission-led negotiations to open up the sector.
The deal includes the following main elements:
1) Full postal liberalisation by 2011 (instead of the Commission’s preferred date of 2009), including for letters under 50 grammes;
2) The possibility of delaying opening markets until 2013 for Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovakia;
3) Under a so-called reciprocity clause, member states that open their markets by 2011 can deny market access until 2013 to those member states that choose to delay liberalisation;
4) Minimum pay provisions and postal workers’ right to strike will not be affected by the law;
5) Universal Service Obligation (USO) – member states can dictate uniform tariffs between rural and urban areas, sufficient access to post offices and minimum delivery requirements.
Financing provisions for USO will be decided by member states, who can either fund the service with monies from state coffers or oblige operators to pay into a common fund. The Commission, which reserves the right to scrutinise the financing plans, will be required to help member states to calculate the cost of universal services.
The UK, Swedish and Finnish postal market have been opened entirely already. The German market will be opened by 1 January 2008. The German government has indicated several times to stick to that date.
Overall in the EU, postal services are estimated to handle 135 billion items per year, reflecting a turnover of about € 88 billion or about 1% of the EU Gross Domestic Product (GDP). About two-thirds of this turnover is generated by mail services. The reminder is generated by parcels and express services which are already in the competitive area (i.e., the market is fully open to competing operators).
Read MoreSpringer mulls exit from postal business
German publisher Axel Springer is considering exiting its postal business after the German government’s decision this week to impose a minimum wage for workers in the sector, a company spokeswoman said.
Springer has been in talks with Dutch mail and parcel group TNT about merging their German mail services companies, TNT Post and Springer’s PIN Group, a personal familiar with the matter has told Reuters.
But German weekly magazine Focus reported on Saturday that the talks had broken down after the government set minimum wages of up to 9.80 euros ($14.45) per hour, depending on the employee’s level of responsibility.
The sum is far more than private competitors to former state monopoly Deutsche Post pay their employees.
The Springer spokeswoman told Reuters: “We are examining all options and currently cannot rule out anything as regards the future of PIN.” She declined to comment on the current state of negotiations with TNT.
Springer bought a majority stake in PIN for 510 million euros earlier this year in anticipation of the liberalisation of the postal market in Germany, where Deutsche Post is set to lose its domestic mail monopoly at the start of next year.
Read MoreChina Southern eyes cargo venture
China Southern eyes cargo venture
Read MoreTNT opts for niche market
TNT opts for niche market
Read MoreCargo Village News – December 2007
Cargo Village News – December 2007
Read MorePost offices push modern solutions to help you lick stamp-and-go holiday traffic
‘Tis the season for mailing heavy packages and standing in lines at post offices across the Treasure Coast.
But U.S. Postal Service officials say the wait often could be cut to next-in-line length if more customers used services available on home computers or at the self-service machines at many post offices.
Postal services now are available online at www.usps.com and other Web sites, said Postal Service spokesman Joseph Breckenridge. Last year, 22 percent of the service’s revenue came from Internet, compared with 9 percent in 2004.
It’s part of an effort that includes phasing out old, coin-operated stamp dispensers — the ones that look like candy machines. The postal service says they are too costly to keep up. As a result, most people have a choice of going online, standing in line, or, at larger post offices, using an automated, self-service machine when the lobby is open.
BEFORE YOU STAND IN LINE, CONSIDER GOING ONLINE
Your home can be a post office via the U.S. Postal Services www.usps.com Web site.
With a computer and printer, you can print postage labels on regular paper and have your package picked up if you don’t want to drop it off at a post office.
You must register to use services that cost money. One option for printing postage is to go to the upper right of the Web site’s front page and click on Sign In for printing shipping labels, scheduling a pickup and more.
You can also visit PC Postage at www.stamps.com and print out postage at home.
MAILING TIPS
Avoid the lines by visiting post offices during quieter mid-morning and mid-afternoon periods. The busiest times are at opening, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and from 4 p.m. until closing.
Use automated postal centers. Larger post offices have self-service machines open during lobby hours, generally 24 hours a day. Most postal transactions may be done on those machines, which have weight scales. Payment is by debit or credit card.
Visit contract stations. The U.S. Postal Service has outlets in retail stores. A Postal Service Web site, www.usps.com, lists all facilities, hours and locations.
Read MoreDutch DM Barometer: 50% of budget to Internet
In line with earlier forecasts this year Dutch budgets for SM activities will increase this 4th quarter of 2007.
The DM barometer of Adforesult and Mailmedia foresees an increase of 14%.
Biggest increase is Internet: almost half of the budget is expended in that area.
In the use of communication channels is hardly anny difference with respect to the target group.
As well to clients as to target group internet (own website, e-mail, search engine, banners, buttons) is the leading channel ith 50% of exopenditures.
Concerning the effects of e-activities 36% of e-newsletters sent to own addresses are opened and 26% clicked.
There is significant difference if an e-mail is sent to own of thrid parties lists:
1/3 is opened in the case of own adresses, 25% only for external lists.
Respondents had to answer three questions:
1) emailings should be less dull and impersonal: 90% said YES
2) 87% agrees that not enough known about the effects f crossmedia direct marketing
3) 70% shares the opinion that mobile payment is a fact in the Netherlands in the year 2008.
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