Tag: Europe

Advertising mail at record levels (U.S)

Posted by | Jun 23, 2008 | |

New figures from advertising authority Robert Coen show that advertisers used mail at record levels in 2007.

Mail spending rose 4.0 percent in 2007 to USD 60.998 billion, according to Coen, senior vice president, director of forecasting with Universal McCann, one of the largest advertising agencies in the world,

In the December 2007 issue of his “Insider’s Report,” Coen said that advertisers spent USD 283.88 billion on all media in 2007, a .07 percent increase over 2006. In effect, mail continues to represent one of every five dollars spent by U.S. advertisers.

Coen said Internet advertising increased 20 percent in 2007 to USD 10.92 billion — about one-sixth of the dollars spent with the mailstream. Newspapers took in USD 42.94 billion, down substantially from the USD 47.71 billion spent in 2006.

For 2008 Coen estimates that total ad spending will grow by 3.7 percent to USD 294.38 billion. expenditures for ad mail will grow at an even stronger pace. Coen predicts that for 2008 advertisers will spend USD 63.73 billion advertising through the mailstream, up 4.5 percent over 2007.

The fact is that advertisers will spend more money on direct mail than on promotions through radio, newspapers, magazines, network television, cable TV or the Internet.

According to the Postal Service consumers read 78 percent of the advertising mail they receive, nearly 10 percent respond to offers, and 21 percent bring coupons and ad mail with them when they shop.

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UK Pallets launches new European distribution service

Posted by | Jun 23, 2008 | |

Business Post Group’s palletised freight operation, UK Pallets, is launching a new European service following a deal with global logistics services provider Dachser.

Under the agreement, more than 70 UK Pallets members will now have easy and cost-effective access to Dachser’s extensive pan-European distribution network.
A number of new features have been created to support the service, including an easy-to-use online quotation system and pallet-based tariff structure that offers simplified and improved rates.
This streamlined solution will offer substantial savings of up to 15% compared with previous ad-hoc export services.
UK Pallets will consolidate daily shipments at its national hub in Lichfield for onward connection into Dachser’s nightly departures to Europe, ensuring fast and reliable door-to-door transit times. Each consignment will be bar-coded and tracked throughout the journey to provide online status information and proof of delivery.
Dachser has been a member of UK Pallets since 2001, with the UK distribution network handling all incoming nationwide deliveries from mainland Europe outside of the Northampton area. The new service is designed to improve accessibility and enhance the service offer for UK Pallets’ members.

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ParcelXchange Worldwide success in France

Posted by | Jun 23, 2008 | |

Business Direct has commenced a trial of the ParcelXchange with Ciblex in France. This comes only a short time after the company decided to offer national Post Offices and local logistics service providers outside the UK access to its intelligent advanced technology.

Ciblex is the leading pre-8am parts delivery provider in France, formerly part of the successful Hays Group of companies. After researching the supplier market, Ciblex recognised the dynamic capability and benefits of the ParcelXchange modular locker system as a perfect solution to complement their existing network. They strongly believe that the ParcelXchange will add a dynamic and innovative solution to give them competitive advantage within their growing supply chain capability.

ParcelXchange will provide Ciblex’s customers the benefit of 24/7 convenience, with completely secure and controlled access for both the collecting and returning of goods through the Ciblex delivery network. The specific nature of the new modular style ParcelXchange offers the potential to have as many different configurations as each of the individual locations within the Ciblex network needs.
Ciblex already has over 400 locations with key lockers but feels that the addition of real time reporting and secure ATM access will help their existing B2B business and also with their B2C business. The company believes that the ParcelXchanges will provide a cost-effective consolidation of the deliveries, while maintaining their already high levels of customer service.

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High fuel costs are forcing retailers to rethink distribution processes, as three experts explain

Posted by | Jun 21, 2008 | |

High fuel costs are forcing retailers to rethink distribution processes, as three experts explain
Philip Bracken, Director of professional services, TNT Fashion Group
What impact are the rocketing fuel prices having on your business?
Fuel cost is something we don’t have control of and the current escalation is something that we can’t take on the chin. As much as possible we try to offset costs but it is hard to absorb much more. It is an unattractive subject but we have to pass on some costs. We are doing this on a variable basis, ensuring that our pricing mechanism is directly linked to the cost of fuel.
How are you dealing with the increased costs?
We are working on getting distribution into stores with less diesel being used and minimising land mileage. We have long had a programme to implement environmental benefits so have been doing a lot to reduce our consumption and emissions. We have invested in some electric vehicles. These are pretty successful but have a limited range.
How are your retail customers reacting to the issue?
The wider economic report is gloomy and we don’t want to add to customers’ woes. The mood among customers is pretty sober but it is from a whole basket of issues, not just fuel costs. We are always looking at ways to cut costs for retailers. We don’t take advantage of this type of situation and we are going for a fair and transparent approach.
What long-term impact will the fuel prices have on distribution?
It is difficult to know how long it will last. We have our own views and listen to those of our commentators. But I think the reality is that this is not a temporary blip.

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New Post Office trial of atms offers convenient, Commission-free euros and dollars at selected branches

Posted by | Jun 20, 2008 | |

UK holidaymakers can now get commission-free foreign currency from new specially designed cash machines at selected Post Office branches.

Foreign exchange ATMs are being trialled in thirteen branches nationwide, giving people even more convenience when it comes to buying their holiday cash.

Customers using the ATMs will simply be able to insert their debit cards and select one of two mainstream currencies (euros or US dollars). There will be no charge for withdrawing cash, they get the same great exchange rate as over the counter and withdrawals are commission-free too.

The new machines supplied by Bank of Ireland are being trialled to complement the extensive range of counter services already available from Post Office bureaux de change, making it even easier for holidaymakers to get their Travel Money quickly and efficiently.

The announcement comes as recent figures show that there were 309 million overseas transactions on UK-issued cards last year (three per cent of all transactions on UK-issued cards). In fact using a debit card to withdraw cash abroad is so popular with UK holidaymakers that a total of GBP 7.1 billion was withdrawn from overseas cash machines in 2007.

For those who still want to shop abroad with plastic, the Post Office® credit card is one of the few cards which offers 0 pct commission on overseas transactions or the pre-paid ‘Travel Money Card’ is available in Sterling, Euros or US Dollars.

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