USPS investing in priority mail
The U.S. Postal Service reported higher than expected revenues in the third quarter of the year. After seeing a nearly 9 percent increase in profits derived from shipping, the postal service is hoping to raise an additional $500,000 in the coming year with new features and deals offered with its priority shipping option, according to Direct Marketing News. Businesses that depend on direct mail and mailing software for their daily operations will likely see a benefit from the changes the USPS is making to its delivery capabilities.
Nagisa Manabe, the postal service's chief marketing and sales officer, told The Los Angeles Times the proposed alterations to priority mail are aimed at selling the enhanced delivery method to consumers who have grown weary of shopping in retail locations and are opting to do more of their purchasing over the Internet. Home and business delivery options are at the crux of the new system.
In addition to new designs for boxes and letters, consumers will be able to insure their packages free of charge, have access to advanced tracking and specify which delivery date they prefer. These measures will likely enable businesses to increase direct mail efficiency and improve relationships with consumers.