USPS New Beginning” by John Potter, Postmaster General, USPS
USPS New Beginning” by John Potter, Postmaster General, USPS
Read MoreTag: USA
UPS Announces 2008 Rates
UPS announced new list rates for 2008, including an average 4.9 percent increase for UPS Ground and Ground Hundredweight shipments and a net average increase of 4.9 percent on all air express and U.S. origin International shipments.
The increase for air express and international shipments is based on a 6.9 percent increase in the base rate, less a 2 percent reduction in the current fuel surcharge. Updated rate and service information will be posted on ups.com/rates beginning Nov. 16, and customers can preview UPS Ground, Air and International express rates. On Dec. 31, customers can download the 2008 Rate and Service Guide.
The new rates will take effect on Dec. 31, 2007.
Read MoreU.S. international holiday mailing dates approaching
Recent changes to U.S. Postal Service packaging and products will make it even easier — and greener — to send holiday mail to international destinations.
Earlier this year, the Postal Service simplified its international product offerings into four options: Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International, Priority Mail International and First-Class Mail International. The change makes it easy for customers to mail letters and packages worldwide.
Each of the products can be used for either domestic or international mail. There are no longer separate products for international mailing.
The changes to international products also give customers a little more time to prepare for the holidays. The first recommended mailing date is Dec. 4, for packages to Africa and Central and South America. But international mail can be sent as late as Dec. 19 for arrival by Dec. 25.
Using Express Mail International and Priority Mail International also sends a very “green” message around the world. These products received “Cradle to Cradle”SM Certification at the Silver level for human and environmental health, exceeding even the highest standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Coinstar, redbox take aim at c-stores
No longer content to place DVD-rental kiosks solely in McDonald’s restaurants and grocery stores, Coinstar and redbox announced plans to deploy more than two dozen DVD-rental kiosks in convenience stores across the United States. Coinstar plans to have 300 of the kiosks in place by the end of 2007, says Ray Taddeo, Coinstar’s regional vice president
Coinstar, which owns half of redbox along with McDonald’s, showcased the DVD-rental kiosk to convenience-store owners, distributors and retailers at the 2007 National Association of Convenience Stores trade show in Atlanta this week.
Taddeo cited high-volume traffic as the main reason Coinstar and other self-service companies are introducing themselves to the c-store industry.
“And we know that many of them are DVD renters,” Taddeo said.
Redbox is the nation’s leader in self-service DVD rentals, growing from 93,000 rentals in 2003 to more than 21 million in 2006. Now the company says it is on pace to reach 40 million rentals this year.
Coinstar, on the other hand, recently introduced a financial-services kiosk, which currently distributes prepaid cards at a handful of c-stores. Future versions of the kiosk will include a bill-payment application and money-transfer capabilities, Taddeo says.
Read MoreUPS board names new Director
Rudy Markham, the recently retired Chief Financial Officer of Unilever, today was named to the Board of Directors of UPS.
Markham, 61, will serve on the Board until the next UPS annual shareowners’ meeting in May 2008, at which time he is expected to stand for election to a regular one-year term. After his appointment, Markham was named to the Audit Committee during a regularly scheduled Board meeting here.
In other business, the Board declared a regular quarterly dividend of USD 0.42 per share on all outstanding Class A and Class B shares. The dividend is payable Jan. 3, 2008, to shareholders of record on Nov. 19, 2007. UPS has either increased or maintained its dividend every year for more than three decades.
Read MorePost & 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.