Speaking this week at National Postal Forum in Nashville, Vice President of Expedited Shipping Gary Reblin told mailers the Postal Service is in the shipping business and that shipping is key to its future.
“We want USPS to be known as much for shipping as it is for mailing,” said Reblin. “With the boom in online ordering, shipping will be an important part of the Postal Service’s business plan for the future.”
In large part because of the successful advertising campaign promoting Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes, the Postal Service has gained market share and experienced double-digit growth in flat-rate shipping. Equally important, innovations in pricing and product design have been popular with customers.
New cubic pricing, an industry first, was introduced in January and bases shipping prices on the size of the box, not on the weight. This groundbreaking strategy has been well received by businesses and the mailing industry. To date, more than two dozen very large shippers have signed on. Cubic pricing allows shippers to reduce shipping costs and lower their carbon footprint through the use of smaller packaging.
“Just a few years ago, we had only one pricing table for all Priority Mail,” explained Reblin. “Today, we offer channel discounts, volume discounts, contracts and now cubic pricing. We will continue to innovate, continue to grow and — most importantly — continue to provide the best possible value and pricing for our customers.”
Other innovations include the Priority Mail Gift Card Envelope, which was introduced on a trial basis for the winter holiday season. It has been expanded nationwide just in time for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, summer weddings and school graduations. In addition, Customized Packaging — which allows customers to create boxes, envelopes, cohesive packaging and address labels that are tailored to meet a customer’s specific needs — has helped the Postal Service bring in new business.
“We believe we are the best business-to-consumer solution,” added Reblin. “Through product innovations and enhanced technology, the Postal Service will continue to deliver better value at a lower cost.”
source: USPS News Link