Tag: UK

Grocery websites drive UK online sales growth

Posted by | Apr 1, 2008 | |

Sophisticated web offerings from the UK’s grocery retailers are driving the growth of internet retailing in this country, making it the fastest growing online market in Europe, according to a new report from Mintel.

The report found UK online sales were worth euro 18.5bn (GBP 12.8bn) last year, compared with just euro 13bn in Germany, the next largest market.

And the UK was also the fastest growing market with sales up by 75% since 2005.

“The UK has by far and away the most developed online market in Europe,” said Richard Perks, director of retail research at Mintel.

“The main reason for this is the sophisticated online offering of the UK’s food retailers and the fact that so many of us now more than happy to turn to the internet to do our weekly shop.”

Tesco is the largest online food retailer in Europe, says Mintel, with www.tesco.com more than twice the size of its nearest rival (www.ooshop.fr) run by Carrefour.

Meanwhile, the latest figures from IMRG Capgemini showed a record GBP 4.3bn was spent online during February 2008.

Beers, wines and spirits saw a rise of 38%, perhaps in anticipation of the higher alcohol taxes announced in March’s Budget.

Read More

USPS steps up efforts to gain greater share from rivals

Posted by | Apr 1, 2008 | |

The U.S. Postal Service is stepping up efforts to wrest a bigger share of the parcel delivery market from its private sector rivals. And this time around, it’s trying a new tactic. In years past, the federal agency has typically challenged its competitors—FedEx, UPS, and DHL—on the basis of service (for example, by adding tracking and tracing capabilities for express and parcel shipments). Now, it’s attacking on another front: pricing.

Beginning May 12, the USPS will offer volume discounts for its Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Select, and Parcel Return services. Thanks to the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006, the independent agency is able to change its pricing structure to reflect what it calls “industry standard” practices.

For instance, Express Mail will for the first time use zone-based pricing, and customers who establish corporate accounts or pay online will receive a 3-percent discount. Commercial shippers who meet quarterly volume commitments could knock as much as 7 percent more off their bills. Parcel Select will offer volume-based pricing incentives to large and medium-sized shippers, and Parcel Return will now be priced by weight, which the USPS says will significantly cut prices for lightweight packages.

Read More

Homeowners waste millions buying mortgage lender’s life cover

Posted by | Mar 31, 2008 | |

Financially stretched homeowners could be overpaying by GBP 310 million every year by taking out life insurance with their mortgage provider, which many mistakenly believe is compulsory.

A study by the Post Office reveals that over a third (34 per cent) of people completing a mortgage application bought life insurance through their mortgage provider, which could be costing them an additional GBP 2000 each.

Confusion appears to be the main reason for people choosing to take out life insurance this way; 35 per cent said they felt pressured into buying it, or believed it was compulsory to purchase life insurance with the same provider.

Over half (54 per cent) of respondents said it was simply more convenient to arrange their life insurance and mortgage together, despite the fact they could be wasting hundreds of pounds by failing to shop around.

Worryingly, it seems many people are actually aware they are not getting the best deal, as only 16 per cent said that their mortgage provider offered the best value on life insurance.

Read More

Postcomm forward work plan 2008-11

Posted by | Mar 31, 2008 | |

The forward work plan sets out our overall strategy for 2008-11, along with detail on the specific projects we intend to undertake. It describes Postcomm’s mandate and goals, and its priorities for the year. There are a number of top priority workstreams, which must be completed, as well as potential projects/workstreams that are contingent on factors beyond our control, for example, access determinations, or appeals against any Postcomm decisions. If we are required to divert resources to such projects, then others – which are desirable but not an absolute priority – may be re-evaluated.

Postcomm’s Forward Work Plan for 2008-11 sets out our overall strategy for 2008-11, along with the detail on the specific projects we intend to undertake.

Our projects and workstreams fall into four corporate goals:
– ensuring a universal service
– protecting customer interests (for more detail, see our web pages on Royal Mail standards and prices and postal licences and operators)
– replacing regulation through the promotion of sustainable competition
– advising on the Post Office network.

The achievement of these four goals is supported by building effective stakeholder relations and by using and developing resources effectively.

We will also continue to inform our decisions through international benchmarking, wherever possible.

Read More

TNT drives to top of Britain's best employers list

Posted by | Mar 31, 2008 | |

TNT, which employs 1,800 people in the county and has its UK headquarters in Atherstone, features in a line up of the finest employers in the land in a new book that highlights best practice in human resources management.

The book, entitled ‘Britain’s Top Employers 2008’, published last week, follows months of assessments by global independent research experts the Corporate Research Foundation (CRF).

TNT ranks alongside some of the leading brands in Britain’s business world including household names such as Cadbury Schweppes, Innocent, Asda and the John Lewis Partnership.

Not only did TNT feature in the list of more than 70 top UK companies, it also received a special award from CRF for Sustained HR Excellence.

The Corporate Research Foundation’s judging panel rated each company on nine defined categories: Pay and benefits; Career development; Leadership; Company culture and style; Knowledge management; Employee Relations; Recruitment strategies; Diversity; Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Following the rigorous assessment from the researchers, marks were awarded in each category and TNT’s performance was particularly strong in the areas of career development, employee relations and CSR.

Read More

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

P&P Poll

Loading

What's the future of the postal USO?

Thank you for voting
You have already voted on this poll!
Please select an option!



View ResultsHide Results

Post & Parcel Magazine


Post & Parcel Magazine is our print publication, released 3 times a year. Packed with original content and thought-provoking features, Post & Parcel Magazine is a must-read for those who want the inside track on the industry.

Subscribe to the Magazine

 

Pin It on Pinterest