Shipping

Postmaster General to Retire
October 26, 2010

After nearly 10 years as U.S. Postmaster General and CEO of the U.S. Postal Service, John E. Potter today announced that he will retire on Dec. 3, after 32 years of service.

What You Can Do to Stop the USPS' Appeal of the Exigent Postage Rate Increase
October 25, 2010

I don’t know how much more I can do or say about the U.S. Postal Service and its stupidity. I've made all kinds of suggestions on how it can increase its revenues, incentivize companies to try mail and win back customers who have abandoned the channel. I even wrote a fake testimonial letter from an online marketing company thanking the USPS for helping it build their business. And yet the madness continues.

PRC Denies Exigent Postage Rate Increase … Big !@#$ Deal
October 12, 2010

Direct marketers aren't getting slammed with another 5 percent-plus postage rate increase in January. Big whoop-de-doo. Postage is still the biggest expense in all my clients’ mail campaigns. And the cost of mailing vs. the risk of the unknown is still the biggest reason marketers shy away from the direct mail channel.

Retailers Team Up Against Amazon
October 8, 2010

Under a cooperative program called ShopRunner, launched on Tuesday, the retailers are mimicking Amazon by dangling a $79 loyalty program that offers unlimited two-day shipping. But in this case it's across all of the participants' online stores, whether it's Babies 'R' Us, Pet Smart, Dick's Sporting Goods, GNC or a host of others. One-upping Amazon, ShopRunner will offer free returns.

Mailing Community Reacts to the PRC's Decision
October 1, 2010

With yesterday's decision by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to reject a postal rate hike proposed by the U.S. Postal Service, business mailers — and the trade groups that represent them — have reason to celebrate. At least for now.

PRC Rejects USPS Exigency Rate Hikes
September 30, 2010

Postal regulators Thursday denied requests by the U.S. Postal Service to raise postage rates in January beyond the rate of inflation, ruling that the mail agency's recent financial woes were caused by a flawed business model and not the recent recession.

PMG Potter Lauds New Legislation That Will Eliminate Saturday Delivery
September 28, 2010

Legislation introduced today by Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) is a roadmap to recovery for the Postal Service, said Postmaster General John Potter. It incorporates many of the key elements we have identified as necessary and essential to allow the Postal Service to meet the changing needs of its customers.

The 2011 Postal Rate Increase: An Internet Marketer's Midwinter Night's Dream
September 27, 2010

As an online marketer, I want to thank Mr. Postmaster General and the honorable members of the Postal Regulatory Commission. I cannot wait until you raise postage rates come January. Now some people may not agree with me, but I applaud your efforts to consistently raise postage rates. 

Retail Container Traffic Forecasted to be Up 16% in September
September 9, 2010

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to be up 16 percent in September over the same month last year, but 2010 has already hit its peak and numbers will decline through the remainder of the year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.