Tag: Retailing

FedEx Kinko’s escalates expansion efforts

Posted by | Aug 6, 2007 | |

FedEx Kinko’s, an operating company of FedEx Corp today officially announced an aggressive expansion plan to open 300 new office and print centers in the United States throughout fiscal 2008. The company also will redesign 110 existing centers and introduce 20 new locations internationally. These changes are part of the company’s overall plan to provide small businesses and traveling professionals with even greater access to the company’s office and print services and the FedEx transportation network.

FedEx Kinko’s has more than 1,700 locations in operation today, and this latest push for growth comes on the heels of the successful execution of its expansion plan in fiscal 2007. Last August, the company introduced a smaller store format and announced plans to open 200 centers nationwide with the new design. These centers have an average footprint of 1,800 square feet and carry more than 700 different office products. In addition, they offer the same services as a traditional center and have generated positive customer feedback since the launch. Based on the strong results, the 300 domestic locations scheduled to open in fiscal 2008 will feature the small-format design as well.

FedEx Kinko’s also plans to embark on its most aggressive international expansion effort to date by opening 20 new centers outside the United States during fiscal 2008. These new centers will be focused in the Asia-Pacific region with 12 in China, four in Japan, two in Korea, and one in Australia. In addition, one new center will be opened in Canada. Currently, the company has 159 locations outside the United States.

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Bills, Statements and Payments – Paper and Electronic Delivery

Posted by | Aug 4, 2007 | |

The adoption of electronic bills, statements and payments has grown significantly in recent
years, as has the explosive growth in Internet penetration, the evolving consumer
preferences for new media, and a determined push by financial institutions to convert users
from paper to electronic. Most forecasters, observers, and the general press typically
characterize these electronic options as severely and negatively affecting the volume of
bills, statements and payments that are mailed. Is there reliable industry data that can be
used to check these assertions? Are the quantifiable trends universal or do they vary by
region? Exactly how have electronic alternatives impacted user preferences so far and how
will they continue to impact mail volumes in the foreseeable future?
Much has been written in recent years about the rapidly rising adoption of electronic bills,
statements and payments. However, few attempts have been made to systematically review all
available research and make sound predictions, especially pertaining to mail volumes and the
expected growth of electronic alternatives2. This paper first defines several terms and delineates
the scope of this study. Second, the paper analyzes the U.S. and European landscape vis-à-vis:
the adoption rates of electronic bills, statements and payments, and the evolution of the
corresponding mail volumes. Third, the paper examines how consumers prefer to receive and
pay bills so as to provide an outlook on the future of paper vs. electronic methods. Finally, the
paper looks at the progress billers have made to effectively institute and establish new bill,
statement and payment mechanisms.

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An eye to the future

Posted by | Aug 3, 2007 | |

Environmental initiatives, such as the WEEE Directive, the ongoing growth of the online sector, and rapid technological developments mean predicting what the retail landscape will look like in the years to come is a tricky business.

This year’s Retail Solutions exhibition at the Birmingham NEC allowed retailers to view technology that can benefit their business both now, and in the future. The show, and in particular the Store of the Future exhibit, (see boxout on pg.51) drew the attention of both national and local press. The Magic Mirror, part of the Store of the Future, features both RFID bar code scanning and multimedia functions, and was featured in the Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, Birmingham Post and other international publications.

The seminar theatres offered delegates the chance to hear some of the industry’s top figures debating pressing issues facing retailers today. Representatives from Tesco, McDonalds, Dixons DSGi, Boots Alliance and Poundstretcher offered their thoughts on PCI:DSS, multi-channel retailing, fraud and loss prevention and international growth strategy.

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French e-retail growing at 42 pct

Posted by | Jul 30, 2007 | |

E-commerce in France is growing at 42 pct according to the French e-commerce association ACSEL. The industry turned over 2.7 billion Euros during the second quarter of 2007.

This growth is partly due to an increase in the number of e-retailers as well as French shoppers’ growing confidence in e-retail. Some 19 million people now shop online, an increase of 22 pct over the same period last year.

E-commerce in France is growing at 42 pct according to the French e-commerce association ACSEL. The industry turned over 2.7 billion Euros during the second quarter of 2007.

This growth is partly due to an increase in the number of e-retailers as well as French shoppers’ growing confidence in e-retail. Some 19 million people now shop online, an increase of 22 pct over the same period last year.

Further details of the French e-retail market is available (in French) on ACSEL’s site. A delegation from the Association will be visiting the Internet Retailing conference in London on 2 October and is keen to meet with UK e-retailers.

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