POSTAL NEWS
No 89 -2019
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
To which postal presence in the department of La Manche?
November 07, 2019.
Post Office predicts lower holiday peak package volume than last year. November 07, 2019.
DPD strengthens last mile offering in Czech Republic and Slovakia. November 07, 2019.
Jean-Paul Van Avermaet to become the new Chief Executive Officer of bpost group. November 06, 2019.
UPS forecasts record-breaking holiday returns volume.
November 04, 2019.
To which postal presence in the department of La Manche?
November 07, 2019
Pascal Varin, departmental secretary FO Com of La Manche and his team deposited a wreath at the Ducey post office. This symbolic action aims to awaken, on the eve of the municipal elections of 2020, a global reflection on the postal presence in the department of La Manche in the future and how far ...
By this action, FO intends to denounce an excessive closure of the post office in Ducey whose traffic is viable with a building amortized for many years. La Poste decided to sell it and create a rental charge that could be dispensed with and maintain a sustainable profitability.
Offices are gradually closing at the rate of the goodwill of mayors under the pressure of our directions threatening to reduce the service by significantly reducing the schedule failing to accept a transformation.
It is intolerable not to know where we are going and where we will be tomorrow. For FO Com, La Poste's aim is to keep the ten central offices of each sector and to keep some offices of politically correct proximities ...
Currently, there are 70 offices in the department if we observe the traffic of the closed offices and the traffic of those remaining, 50 offices are threatened! La Poste's main argument is the drop in the volume of mail absorbed by new technologies but it forgets to communicate on the development of the parcel and La Banque Postale whose marriage with the CNP and its dowry were announced.
The departmental council must seize this file before it is too late and not leave the only responsibility to local elected officials.
Source : http://www.focom-laposte.fr/
Post Office predicts lower holiday peak package volume than last year
November 07, 2019
Annual surge to generate a projected 800 million packages between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, compared to 900 million in 2018, USPS says.
The U.S. Postal Service is preparing for a bump in the number of packages it handles over the winter peak shopping season, but predicts that surge will be slightly lower than recent years' totals.
USPS says its busiest season begins to ramp up beginning Dec. 9, then hits its maximum peak two weeks before Christmas, thanks to a spike in last-minute shopping. That annual surge will send a burst of more than 28 million packages per day through the carrier's network between Dec. 16 and Dec. 21, and then settle down to about 20.5 million packages per day through the remainder of the year, the agency said today.
In all, USPS plans to deliver a projected 800 million packages between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. That number is down from the service's estimate of more than 900 million packages delivered between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day in 2018 and its forecast of 850 million packages it handled over that period in 2017.
The lower numbers run counter to market trends indicating that U.S. consumers will actually increase their holiday shopping in 2019, according to a National Retail Federation (NRF) forecast that holiday retail sales for the U.S. peak season during November and December will increase between 3.8 percent and 4.2 percent over their 2018 levels.
Despite that overall economic growth, USPS expects to handle fewer packages in the 2019 peak period than it did in 2018 in part because of a calendar fluke—there are six fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, a USPS spokesperson said in an email.
Another reason for the dip is the "intense competition" USPS faces in the parcel delivery sector, the spokesperson said. Still, the agency said its central role as the nation's mail carrier will help it retain its crown. When the dust has settled after the 2019 peak season, USPS will have delivered more packages to homes than any other rival, the postal service said.
Revelers will also generate an estimated 2.5 billion pieces of first-class mail, including greeting cards, that must be processed and delivered in the week of Dec. 16. That statistic is also down from the nearly 3 billion pieces of first-class mail, including greeting cards, that USPS estimated it processed and delivered in the same week of 2017.
In order to handle the increased load, USPS says it will expand Sunday delivery beginning Nov. 24 to locations with high package volumes. USPS already delivers packages on Sundays in most major cities, and anticipates delivering more than 8 million packages on Sundays in December. Mail carriers will also deliver packages for an additional fee on Christmas Day in select locations, the agency said.
Source : https://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/20191107
DPD strengthens last mile offering in Czech Republic and Slovakia
November 07, 2019
DPD has purchased The Geis Group’s parcel business in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The move will enable both groups to strengthen their core business: last mile delivery for DPD and international distribution and logistics services for Geis in both countries. The transaction is subject to approval by the anti-trust authorities.
Geis Parcel CZ s.r.o. (Czech Republic) and Geis Parcel SK s.r.o. (Slovakia) are among the largest parcel service providers in their countries. Both companies have been operating profitably for many years.
“In this rapidly growing parcel market, we want to further develop our business to better support the development of our customers”, explains Yves Delmas, COO Europe DPDgroup. “We are therefore very pleased that we were able to reach an agreement with Geis.”
Hans-Georg Geis and Wolfgang Geis, Managing Partners of the Geis Group commented:“Now that we have been co-developing the parcel markets in the Czech Republic and Slovakia for over 25 years, it is the right time for us to hand over the parcel business to a specialised company with European coverage.”
“In the future, we want to concentrate on our traditional core businesses of forwarding services, contract logistics and air and sea freight and further expand our strong market position in Central Europe”.
Since its foundation in 1945, the Geis Group, headquartered in Bad Neustadt, Franconia, has developed into a global full-service logistics provider at 116 network and logistics locations throughout Europe. The owner-managed company offers its customers the complete range of logistics services: from classic truck transport to global air and sea freight to complex logistics services.
Source : https://postandparcel.info/117362/news/e-commerce
Jean-Paul Van Avermaet to become the new Chief Executive Officer of bpost group
November 06, 2019
The bpost Board of Directors has decided, following the recommendation of bpost’s Remuneration Committee, to nominate Jean-Paul Van Avermaet as the new CEO of bpost group, succeeding Koen Van Gerven whose mandate ends on February 26, 2020.
Jean-Paul Van Avermaet (52) is currently Managing Director of G4S, a listed international company and world leader in security solutions. Jean-Paul Van Avermaet holds a Masters in Commercial Engineering from KU Leuven and an MBA from Vlerick Business School.
Before joining G4S in 2010 he held several executive positions in the airline and railway catering, retail and hospitality sectors. Jean-Paul Van Avermaet also plays an active role in various social and cultural organizations.
François Cornelis, Chairman of the Board of Directors of bpost group: “bpost's ambition is to continue to guarantee high-quality public services for Belgian citizens, and to prepare its long-term position as a key player in e-commerce logistics. I’m confident that Jean-Paul Van Avermaet will help us to achieve our company goals by sharing his experience, passion and commitment. Close collaboration between the management team and the Board of Directors, as well as constructive social dialogue, remain of utmost importance in this process.
I am very happy to welcome and to start this journey together. Once again, I want to thank Koen Van Gerven for the contributions he has made to the company over the last 13 years.”
“Ready to build on the solid base of this beautiful company and begin the next chapter with bpost group employees”
Jean-Paul Van Avermaet, future CEO of bpost group: “bpost is a beautiful company with a solid foundation of which every employee can be proud. Now, in a digitizing world, with many other societal challenges, we can only be successful by investing all our energy in future-proof customer services, engaged and empowered employees and healthy financial results. Therefore we will continue to transform the company by building further on a culture of innovation and agility to respond to future challenges. bpost group has an important societal role to fulfil and needs to be close to its stakeholders. I’m looking forward to joining the bpost family and to guiding this company together with the Board and the management team to a successful future.”
Composition of the Group Executive Committee
The Board of Directors also approved the following internal appointments. They will all be effective on Dec 1, 2019:
Luc Cloet, Director Mail & Retail and member of the Group Executive Committee,
Kathleen Van Beveren to join the Group Executive Committee as Director Parcels & Logistics Europe & Asia. Kathleen Van Beveren was SVP Parcels BeNe.
Henri de Romrée, Director Parcels & Logistics North America and member of the Group Executive Committee.
bpost group will hold a press conference with Jean-Paul Van Avermaet today at 6.30 PM at the Sorting Center of Brussels, Vilvoordsesteenweg 233, 1120 Neder-Over-Heembeek.
Source : https://corporate.bpost.be/media/press-releases/2019
UPS forecasts record-breaking holiday returns volume
November 04, 2019
UPS projects holiday returns will peak on January 2, 2020 with 1.9 million returns taking place – a 26 percent increase from last year’s peak returns day.
UPS also expecting 1.6 million returns per day the week before Christmas.
Record-breaking returns volume illustrates how e-commerce is changing the way consumers buy during the holidays.
This holiday season UPS (NYSE:UPS) is forecasting yet another record-breaking year for e-commerce returns – illustrating how e-commerce is continuing to change the way people shop for the holidays.
In December, consumers will ship via UPS more than 1 million return packages back to retailers daily, a pace that is expected to last into early January. An initial spike in returns is expected the week before Christmas, with 1.6 million packages being returned each day the week of Dec. 16. This first spike will likely be driven by retailer promotions, which will prompt shoppers to buy gifts early – both for their loved ones and for themselves.
The second and largest spike in returns, which UPS dubs “National Returns Day,” is expected to occur on Jan. 2 with a whopping 1.9 million packages returned through the UPS network – a 26 percent increase from last year’s peak returns day.
“As retailers start preparing for the busy holiday season, they should certainly be factoring returns into their business plans,” said Kevin Warren, UPS’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Gone are the days where returns were isolated to January – today’s empowered consumers will be sending packages back to retailers all season long.”
Research continues to show that to succeed in e-commerce retailers must offer comprehensive returns services. UPS’s 2019 Pulse of the Online Shopper™ study found that:
73% of shoppers surveyed said the overall returns experience impacts their likelihood to purchase from a retailer again.
68% of survey respondents agree that the returns experience shapes their overall perceptions of a retailer.
42% said free return shipping contributes most to a positive returns experience.
Top elements of a great returns experience include proactive communications, flexible return options and transparency.
“If retailers want to be considered a ‘Returns Rockstar’ this holiday season, they will need to be prepared to offer a seamless, hassle-free returns experience to consumers.” continued Warren. “UPS has a whole portfolio of products that can help simplify holiday returns for consumers and retailers alike.”
Customers making returns this holiday season can take advantage of a network of more than 15,000 UPS Access Point™ locations in the U.S. for secure, convenient returns.
UPS’s Access Point network was recently expanded to include Michaels and CVS stores, making it easier than ever pick up and return holiday orders.
With more than 4,800 The UPS Store® locations included in the UPS Access Point network, The UPS Store offers customers and businesses convenience and great service for their packing, shipping and returns needs, as well as holiday printing for holiday cards, calendars, invitations and more.
Additional UPS returns services include:
UPS Returns® Manager is a portal offering shippers control and visibility over their returns. The service allows shippers of all sizes to create and manage returns policies and designate the return destination;
UPS Print Return Labels can be included in outbound shipments to simplify the returns process;
UPS Electronic Return Labels can be emailed to consumers directly from UPS to improve their returns experience;
UPS Returns® Plus allows the merchant to send a driver to deliver a return label and pick up the return package from any address;
UPS Returns® Exchange is when a driver simultaneously picks up the return item in exchange for the replacement item delivery;
Optoro: UPS and Optoro work together to provide a streamlined reverse logistics solution that combines UPS’s operational and logistics expertise with Optoro’s returns optimization platform that can help maximize recovery value and reduces harmful environmental waste.
Source : https://pressroom.ups.com/pressroom
POSTAL NEWS
No 90 -2019
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
Healthy growth for Posten Norge. November 07, 2019.
Singapore Post net profit up 10.3% Q2.
November 06, 2019.
Gig workers making history together. November 06, 2019.
Underlying cash operating income up €2 million to €25 million. November 04, 2019.
Focus on the local, not Amazon former US exec tells eBay Australia. November 04, 2019.
Healthy growth for Posten Norge
November 07, 2019
Posten Norge’s revenue in the third quarter was NOK 5 878 million, an increase of 4.2 % compared with the third quarter of 2018.
Adjusted operating profit amounted to NOK 291 million, an improvement of NOK 165 million. Both the logistics and mail segments saw an upturn in profits.
CEO Tone Wille comments on the positive trend.”Healthy growth and improved profitability characterise the trend in the logistics segment in the third quarter. We are growing with existing customers and winning new ones. At the same time, the postal service is adapting to a digital age. In this way, we are contributing to sustainable development and realising the Group’s strategy,” says Wille.
Posten Norway is preparing for its largest ever reorganisation when mail delivery is reduced to every other day from 1 July 2020, in line with the amendments to the Postal Act passed by the Storting (the Norwegian parliament) in June.
Logistics
Adjusted operating profit for the Logistics segment was NOK 213 million in the third quarter of 2019, an improvement of NOK 126 million compared with the same period last year. Revenue in the third quarter increased by NOK 251 million, to NOK 4 493 million. Organic growth was 5.1 %.
“In Norway we have taken new steps to develop the distribution network of the future with optional delivery points, both outside and inside the home. This fall, we began offering delivery inside the home with digital door locks, across Norway. The pace of innovation is high, and I am proud that Posten Norge was named Norway’s most innovative company in 2019 by InnoMag magazine,” says CEO Tone Wille.
In Sweden the Group is working on expanding Bring’s parcel network. This is expected to provide improved growth and more customers. There was solid growth in e-commerce for consumers, corporate parcels and home delivery, both in and outside Norway. E-commerce volume increased by 19 % over the past 12 months.
Mail
Adjusted operating profit for the Mail segment was NOK 132 million in the third quarter, an increase of NOK 56 million compared with the same period in 2018. Significant cost adjustments were made in operations which largely compensated for the sharp decline in addressed mail volumes. Mail volumes decreased by 10.8 % over the past 12 months.
In the third quarter, 92 % of addressed mail was delivered within two days, well above the 85 % requirement. So far this year, the proportion of letter mail delivered within two days was 91.4 %.
Source : https://postandparcel.info/117364/news
Singapore Post net profit up 10.3% Q2
November 06, 2019
Singapore Post (SingPost) has announced its results for the quarter and half year ending September 30, 2019.
Revenue for the quarter rose 2% to S$324.4m, led by higher international post and parcel revenue arising from cross-border e-commerce deliveries. This is partially offset by a decline in domestic post and parcel revenue, which is accelerated by a sharp reduction in both business letter volumes and advertising mail. For H1, revenue was stable against last year.
Net profit attributable to equity holders increased by 10.3% to S$27.7m for Q2 and 21.8% to S$53.4m for H1, due to improved performance from associated companies and joint ventures, as well as an absence of exceptional fair value loss on warrants from an associated company incurred last year.
Excluding the impact of exceptional items, underlying net profit slipped 4.6% to S$26.8m for the quarter, as improved results from associated companies and joint ventures remained insufficient to offset the drop in earnings from the post and parcel segment and freight forwarding business. Underlying net profit for the first half of the financial year held stable at S$52.4M.
Paul Coutts, group CEO, said, “Domestic letter mail volume continues to decline while e-commerce-related package volume continues to grow, leading to the overall lower blended margins of our financial performance, partly offset by our cost leadership program.
“To further mitigate the impact of this trend, we have recently announced a streamlining of domestic postal products and an increase in international mail rates that will come into effect from December 2, 2019.
“SingPost remains optimistic in the actions we are taking to reposition ourselves for the future. These initiatives, such as our Smart Letterbox system, will undoubtedly transform Singapore’s postal landscape and position us for the future,” Coutts added.
Source : https://www.parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com/news/operations
Gig workers making history together
November 06, 2019
TORONTO – Hearings continued in Toronto today in which the results could be a defining moment for gig economy workers in Canada.
The misclassification of gig workers as independent contractors instead of dependent contractors or employees is being fought by Foodora couriers at the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB).
“Gig economy workers have been too vulnerable for too long,” says Jan Simpson, CUPW national president. “The Board has the opportunity to make things right and set a precedent for gig workers around the world. It’s time to put worker rights first.”
In May of this year, Foodora couriers and drivers announced their plans to unionize with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). In July, CUPW filed for union certification with the OLRB. A vote was held in August but the results remain sealed as contested issues are now being discussed with the Board.
Foodora couriers, along with their allies and supporters gathered outside the OLRB before the hearings began, showing that the labour movement is strong and united in its fight for workers.
Many of those allies were Uber drivers, who this summer announced their plans to unionize with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), but have not yet filed an application for certification with the Board.
“If it wasn’t for the Foodsters, we wouldn’t be here,” says Ejaz Butt, an Uber driver who helped start his union drive. “Under the Constitution, we knew we had rights, but it was their perseverance that inspired us to push forward, and I hope we can now do the same for others.”
Companies like Foodora and Uber promise flexibility to couriers, saying that they’re independent contractors - their own boss. In doing so, they avoid paying for even the most basic employment benefits like employment insurance, or CPP/QPP premiums. The couriers and drivers argue that they are dependent contractors since the companies control much of their work and administer discipline like any other boss.
“The labour movement is coming together today to fight injustice, and stands behind Foodora couriers and Uber drivers in their fight to unionize so they can bargain with their employer for decent work,” says Chris Buckley, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour.
“The OLRB has a responsibility to the workers of Ontario to end the misclassification of gig workers and stop employers from dodging their responsibilities.”
Whatever the outcome of today’s hearing, one thing is certain: the movement to unionize gig workers is only growing.
Source : https://www.cupw.ca/en
Underlying cash operating income up €2 million to €25 million
November 04, 2019
Financial highlights Q3 2019
Revenue at €636 million (Q3 2018: €638 million)
Underlying cash operating income at €25 million (Q3 2018: €23 million)
Profit from continuing operations at €13 million (Q3 2018: €19 million)
Net cash from/(used in) operating and investing activities improved to €54 million (Q3 2018: €(42) million)
E-commerce-related revenue further increased to 53% YTD
Operational highlights Q3 2019
11% volume growth in Parcels
Addressed mail volume declined by 10.6%
€9 million in cost savings achieved
Delivery quality at 95%
Postcon
Sale completed
Acquisition of Sandd
Transaction closed
On track to migrate first part of Sandd volumes in December and to complete integration in HY1 2020
Process to offer jobs to all Sandd’s postal deliverers has started
Anticipated underlying cash operating income impact from the Sandd acquisition of between €(15) million and €(25) million in Q4 2019
Outlook 2019
Expected underlying cash operating income (UCOI) 2019 confirmed at between €170 million and €200 million
Adjusted for impact of Sandd in Q4 2019: expected UCOI 2019 of between €150 million and €180 million
Successful Green Bond offering
€300 million in fixed rate notes with a coupon of 0.625% and a term of seven years issued
Financing needs for medium term covered; no covenants
CEO statement
Herna Verhagen, CEO of PostNL: “The transaction with Sandd has closed recently and enables us to secure reliable, accessible and affordable postal services today and in the future. We will continue our existing moderate pricing policy and remain focused on people, quality and innovation in the postal sector. We aim to complete the integration in the first half of 2020. Furthermore, we are preparing for changes in Dutch labour regulation next year.
In general, we face increasing headwinds from ongoing global economic pressure. Volume growth at Parcels came in at 11%, with a continuing lower growth rate in some customer segments. This impacts our margin development at Parcels in Q3 and brings the expected FY margin to around 7%. We are executing our strategy aiming to improve the balance between volume growth, profitability and cash conversion. At Mail in the Netherlands, result was slightly better than last year. We expect the FY margin to be more or less in line with last year.
Against the backdrop of these developments, our underlying cash operating income increased to €25 million in Q3, a satisfying result. Preparations for our peak season have started and Q4 will be our strongest quarter in terms of volumes and financial performance. We confirm our 2019 outlook for underlying cash operating income at between €170 million and €200 million. Adjusted for the first financial impact of the Sandd acquisition, visible in Q4, this will translate to between €150 million and €180 million.”
Source : https://www.postnl.nl/en/about-postnl/press-news/press-releases/2019
Focus on the local, not Amazon former US exec tells eBay Australia
November 4, 2019
E-commerce giant eBay shouldn’t try to compete directly with its behemoth rival Amazon, according to one of its former top executives Petra Hofer, who is preparing to visit Australia for Sydney start-up conference StartCon.
Speaking to The Australian, Ms Hofer said eBay's point of difference was its local focus, something Amazon couldn't match.
‘‘Competing with Amazon is probably not eBay's sweet spot,’’ Ms Hofer said. ‘‘I think eBay can do a lot of things to be more customer-centric (than Amazon), and I think eBay Australia is certainly one of the shining examples of that. They come up with innovations that are truly unique for the Australian market, and that keeps it competitive with larger players.
“eBay needs to focus on being a local marketplace, and it can win there.’’
Ms Hofer was an eBay executive for two decades. She served as a director of technology and launched eBay's first international sites, including Australia.
She said change was inevitable for a company that was continually growing and innovating, but strong culture was a constant.
‘‘Obviously a company has to change,’’ she said. ‘‘When I joined in 1999, there were 200 people and we could all fit on half a floor of one building.
“Communication was easy, being focused and having all the right priorities was easy, and so was innovating because we had to.
“We were one of the first internet companies, and all the stuff that nowadays you can find easily in open source libraries we had to invent from scratch.’’
She will be using her StartCon keynote to talk about building innovation at scale.
She is particularly well credentialed to talk about it, given she led the innovation program for all of eBay.
‘‘It's all about the principles you put in place, and what kind of culture you want to build in the company,’’ she said. ‘‘How do you allow people to take risks without feeling like everything is up in the air?
‘‘I'm quite pragmatic about it, and the message will be ‘here's what we did, and here's how it works’.”
StartCon boss Lana Vickridge-Smith said Ms Hofer was one of a number of successful start-up employees to speak at the conference set to take place at the Royal Randwick Racecourse on November 22 and 23.
‘‘I'm thrilled with the incredible speakers taking the time to come to Australia and share their wisdom and experience in technology,’’ Ms Vickridge-Smith said. ‘‘It's so important to have people talking about corporate innovation within tech.”
Source : https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/technology
No 89 -2019
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
To which postal presence in the department of La Manche?
November 07, 2019.
Post Office predicts lower holiday peak package volume than last year. November 07, 2019.
DPD strengthens last mile offering in Czech Republic and Slovakia. November 07, 2019.
Jean-Paul Van Avermaet to become the new Chief Executive Officer of bpost group. November 06, 2019.
UPS forecasts record-breaking holiday returns volume.
November 04, 2019.
To which postal presence in the department of La Manche?
November 07, 2019
Pascal Varin, departmental secretary FO Com of La Manche and his team deposited a wreath at the Ducey post office. This symbolic action aims to awaken, on the eve of the municipal elections of 2020, a global reflection on the postal presence in the department of La Manche in the future and how far ...
By this action, FO intends to denounce an excessive closure of the post office in Ducey whose traffic is viable with a building amortized for many years. La Poste decided to sell it and create a rental charge that could be dispensed with and maintain a sustainable profitability.
Offices are gradually closing at the rate of the goodwill of mayors under the pressure of our directions threatening to reduce the service by significantly reducing the schedule failing to accept a transformation.
It is intolerable not to know where we are going and where we will be tomorrow. For FO Com, La Poste's aim is to keep the ten central offices of each sector and to keep some offices of politically correct proximities ...
Currently, there are 70 offices in the department if we observe the traffic of the closed offices and the traffic of those remaining, 50 offices are threatened! La Poste's main argument is the drop in the volume of mail absorbed by new technologies but it forgets to communicate on the development of the parcel and La Banque Postale whose marriage with the CNP and its dowry were announced.
The departmental council must seize this file before it is too late and not leave the only responsibility to local elected officials.
Source : http://www.focom-laposte.fr/
Post Office predicts lower holiday peak package volume than last year
November 07, 2019
Annual surge to generate a projected 800 million packages between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, compared to 900 million in 2018, USPS says.
The U.S. Postal Service is preparing for a bump in the number of packages it handles over the winter peak shopping season, but predicts that surge will be slightly lower than recent years' totals.
USPS says its busiest season begins to ramp up beginning Dec. 9, then hits its maximum peak two weeks before Christmas, thanks to a spike in last-minute shopping. That annual surge will send a burst of more than 28 million packages per day through the carrier's network between Dec. 16 and Dec. 21, and then settle down to about 20.5 million packages per day through the remainder of the year, the agency said today.
In all, USPS plans to deliver a projected 800 million packages between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. That number is down from the service's estimate of more than 900 million packages delivered between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day in 2018 and its forecast of 850 million packages it handled over that period in 2017.
The lower numbers run counter to market trends indicating that U.S. consumers will actually increase their holiday shopping in 2019, according to a National Retail Federation (NRF) forecast that holiday retail sales for the U.S. peak season during November and December will increase between 3.8 percent and 4.2 percent over their 2018 levels.
Despite that overall economic growth, USPS expects to handle fewer packages in the 2019 peak period than it did in 2018 in part because of a calendar fluke—there are six fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, a USPS spokesperson said in an email.
Another reason for the dip is the "intense competition" USPS faces in the parcel delivery sector, the spokesperson said. Still, the agency said its central role as the nation's mail carrier will help it retain its crown. When the dust has settled after the 2019 peak season, USPS will have delivered more packages to homes than any other rival, the postal service said.
Revelers will also generate an estimated 2.5 billion pieces of first-class mail, including greeting cards, that must be processed and delivered in the week of Dec. 16. That statistic is also down from the nearly 3 billion pieces of first-class mail, including greeting cards, that USPS estimated it processed and delivered in the same week of 2017.
In order to handle the increased load, USPS says it will expand Sunday delivery beginning Nov. 24 to locations with high package volumes. USPS already delivers packages on Sundays in most major cities, and anticipates delivering more than 8 million packages on Sundays in December. Mail carriers will also deliver packages for an additional fee on Christmas Day in select locations, the agency said.
Source : https://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/20191107
DPD strengthens last mile offering in Czech Republic and Slovakia
November 07, 2019
DPD has purchased The Geis Group’s parcel business in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The move will enable both groups to strengthen their core business: last mile delivery for DPD and international distribution and logistics services for Geis in both countries. The transaction is subject to approval by the anti-trust authorities.
Geis Parcel CZ s.r.o. (Czech Republic) and Geis Parcel SK s.r.o. (Slovakia) are among the largest parcel service providers in their countries. Both companies have been operating profitably for many years.
“In this rapidly growing parcel market, we want to further develop our business to better support the development of our customers”, explains Yves Delmas, COO Europe DPDgroup. “We are therefore very pleased that we were able to reach an agreement with Geis.”
Hans-Georg Geis and Wolfgang Geis, Managing Partners of the Geis Group commented:“Now that we have been co-developing the parcel markets in the Czech Republic and Slovakia for over 25 years, it is the right time for us to hand over the parcel business to a specialised company with European coverage.”
“In the future, we want to concentrate on our traditional core businesses of forwarding services, contract logistics and air and sea freight and further expand our strong market position in Central Europe”.
Since its foundation in 1945, the Geis Group, headquartered in Bad Neustadt, Franconia, has developed into a global full-service logistics provider at 116 network and logistics locations throughout Europe. The owner-managed company offers its customers the complete range of logistics services: from classic truck transport to global air and sea freight to complex logistics services.
Source : https://postandparcel.info/117362/news/e-commerce
Jean-Paul Van Avermaet to become the new Chief Executive Officer of bpost group
November 06, 2019
The bpost Board of Directors has decided, following the recommendation of bpost’s Remuneration Committee, to nominate Jean-Paul Van Avermaet as the new CEO of bpost group, succeeding Koen Van Gerven whose mandate ends on February 26, 2020.
Jean-Paul Van Avermaet (52) is currently Managing Director of G4S, a listed international company and world leader in security solutions. Jean-Paul Van Avermaet holds a Masters in Commercial Engineering from KU Leuven and an MBA from Vlerick Business School.
Before joining G4S in 2010 he held several executive positions in the airline and railway catering, retail and hospitality sectors. Jean-Paul Van Avermaet also plays an active role in various social and cultural organizations.
François Cornelis, Chairman of the Board of Directors of bpost group: “bpost's ambition is to continue to guarantee high-quality public services for Belgian citizens, and to prepare its long-term position as a key player in e-commerce logistics. I’m confident that Jean-Paul Van Avermaet will help us to achieve our company goals by sharing his experience, passion and commitment. Close collaboration between the management team and the Board of Directors, as well as constructive social dialogue, remain of utmost importance in this process.
I am very happy to welcome and to start this journey together. Once again, I want to thank Koen Van Gerven for the contributions he has made to the company over the last 13 years.”
“Ready to build on the solid base of this beautiful company and begin the next chapter with bpost group employees”
Jean-Paul Van Avermaet, future CEO of bpost group: “bpost is a beautiful company with a solid foundation of which every employee can be proud. Now, in a digitizing world, with many other societal challenges, we can only be successful by investing all our energy in future-proof customer services, engaged and empowered employees and healthy financial results. Therefore we will continue to transform the company by building further on a culture of innovation and agility to respond to future challenges. bpost group has an important societal role to fulfil and needs to be close to its stakeholders. I’m looking forward to joining the bpost family and to guiding this company together with the Board and the management team to a successful future.”
Composition of the Group Executive Committee
The Board of Directors also approved the following internal appointments. They will all be effective on Dec 1, 2019:
Luc Cloet, Director Mail & Retail and member of the Group Executive Committee,
Kathleen Van Beveren to join the Group Executive Committee as Director Parcels & Logistics Europe & Asia. Kathleen Van Beveren was SVP Parcels BeNe.
Henri de Romrée, Director Parcels & Logistics North America and member of the Group Executive Committee.
bpost group will hold a press conference with Jean-Paul Van Avermaet today at 6.30 PM at the Sorting Center of Brussels, Vilvoordsesteenweg 233, 1120 Neder-Over-Heembeek.
Source : https://corporate.bpost.be/media/press-releases/2019
UPS forecasts record-breaking holiday returns volume
November 04, 2019
UPS projects holiday returns will peak on January 2, 2020 with 1.9 million returns taking place – a 26 percent increase from last year’s peak returns day.
UPS also expecting 1.6 million returns per day the week before Christmas.
Record-breaking returns volume illustrates how e-commerce is changing the way consumers buy during the holidays.
This holiday season UPS (NYSE:UPS) is forecasting yet another record-breaking year for e-commerce returns – illustrating how e-commerce is continuing to change the way people shop for the holidays.
In December, consumers will ship via UPS more than 1 million return packages back to retailers daily, a pace that is expected to last into early January. An initial spike in returns is expected the week before Christmas, with 1.6 million packages being returned each day the week of Dec. 16. This first spike will likely be driven by retailer promotions, which will prompt shoppers to buy gifts early – both for their loved ones and for themselves.
The second and largest spike in returns, which UPS dubs “National Returns Day,” is expected to occur on Jan. 2 with a whopping 1.9 million packages returned through the UPS network – a 26 percent increase from last year’s peak returns day.
“As retailers start preparing for the busy holiday season, they should certainly be factoring returns into their business plans,” said Kevin Warren, UPS’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Gone are the days where returns were isolated to January – today’s empowered consumers will be sending packages back to retailers all season long.”
Research continues to show that to succeed in e-commerce retailers must offer comprehensive returns services. UPS’s 2019 Pulse of the Online Shopper™ study found that:
73% of shoppers surveyed said the overall returns experience impacts their likelihood to purchase from a retailer again.
68% of survey respondents agree that the returns experience shapes their overall perceptions of a retailer.
42% said free return shipping contributes most to a positive returns experience.
Top elements of a great returns experience include proactive communications, flexible return options and transparency.
“If retailers want to be considered a ‘Returns Rockstar’ this holiday season, they will need to be prepared to offer a seamless, hassle-free returns experience to consumers.” continued Warren. “UPS has a whole portfolio of products that can help simplify holiday returns for consumers and retailers alike.”
Customers making returns this holiday season can take advantage of a network of more than 15,000 UPS Access Point™ locations in the U.S. for secure, convenient returns.
UPS’s Access Point network was recently expanded to include Michaels and CVS stores, making it easier than ever pick up and return holiday orders.
With more than 4,800 The UPS Store® locations included in the UPS Access Point network, The UPS Store offers customers and businesses convenience and great service for their packing, shipping and returns needs, as well as holiday printing for holiday cards, calendars, invitations and more.
Additional UPS returns services include:
UPS Returns® Manager is a portal offering shippers control and visibility over their returns. The service allows shippers of all sizes to create and manage returns policies and designate the return destination;
UPS Print Return Labels can be included in outbound shipments to simplify the returns process;
UPS Electronic Return Labels can be emailed to consumers directly from UPS to improve their returns experience;
UPS Returns® Plus allows the merchant to send a driver to deliver a return label and pick up the return package from any address;
UPS Returns® Exchange is when a driver simultaneously picks up the return item in exchange for the replacement item delivery;
Optoro: UPS and Optoro work together to provide a streamlined reverse logistics solution that combines UPS’s operational and logistics expertise with Optoro’s returns optimization platform that can help maximize recovery value and reduces harmful environmental waste.
Source : https://pressroom.ups.com/pressroom
POSTAL NEWS
No 90 -2019
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
Healthy growth for Posten Norge. November 07, 2019.
Singapore Post net profit up 10.3% Q2.
November 06, 2019.
Gig workers making history together. November 06, 2019.
Underlying cash operating income up €2 million to €25 million. November 04, 2019.
Focus on the local, not Amazon former US exec tells eBay Australia. November 04, 2019.
Healthy growth for Posten Norge
November 07, 2019
Posten Norge’s revenue in the third quarter was NOK 5 878 million, an increase of 4.2 % compared with the third quarter of 2018.
Adjusted operating profit amounted to NOK 291 million, an improvement of NOK 165 million. Both the logistics and mail segments saw an upturn in profits.
CEO Tone Wille comments on the positive trend.”Healthy growth and improved profitability characterise the trend in the logistics segment in the third quarter. We are growing with existing customers and winning new ones. At the same time, the postal service is adapting to a digital age. In this way, we are contributing to sustainable development and realising the Group’s strategy,” says Wille.
Posten Norway is preparing for its largest ever reorganisation when mail delivery is reduced to every other day from 1 July 2020, in line with the amendments to the Postal Act passed by the Storting (the Norwegian parliament) in June.
Logistics
Adjusted operating profit for the Logistics segment was NOK 213 million in the third quarter of 2019, an improvement of NOK 126 million compared with the same period last year. Revenue in the third quarter increased by NOK 251 million, to NOK 4 493 million. Organic growth was 5.1 %.
“In Norway we have taken new steps to develop the distribution network of the future with optional delivery points, both outside and inside the home. This fall, we began offering delivery inside the home with digital door locks, across Norway. The pace of innovation is high, and I am proud that Posten Norge was named Norway’s most innovative company in 2019 by InnoMag magazine,” says CEO Tone Wille.
In Sweden the Group is working on expanding Bring’s parcel network. This is expected to provide improved growth and more customers. There was solid growth in e-commerce for consumers, corporate parcels and home delivery, both in and outside Norway. E-commerce volume increased by 19 % over the past 12 months.
Adjusted operating profit for the Mail segment was NOK 132 million in the third quarter, an increase of NOK 56 million compared with the same period in 2018. Significant cost adjustments were made in operations which largely compensated for the sharp decline in addressed mail volumes. Mail volumes decreased by 10.8 % over the past 12 months.
In the third quarter, 92 % of addressed mail was delivered within two days, well above the 85 % requirement. So far this year, the proportion of letter mail delivered within two days was 91.4 %.
Source : https://postandparcel.info/117364/news
Singapore Post net profit up 10.3% Q2
November 06, 2019
Singapore Post (SingPost) has announced its results for the quarter and half year ending September 30, 2019.
Revenue for the quarter rose 2% to S$324.4m, led by higher international post and parcel revenue arising from cross-border e-commerce deliveries. This is partially offset by a decline in domestic post and parcel revenue, which is accelerated by a sharp reduction in both business letter volumes and advertising mail. For H1, revenue was stable against last year.
Net profit attributable to equity holders increased by 10.3% to S$27.7m for Q2 and 21.8% to S$53.4m for H1, due to improved performance from associated companies and joint ventures, as well as an absence of exceptional fair value loss on warrants from an associated company incurred last year.
Excluding the impact of exceptional items, underlying net profit slipped 4.6% to S$26.8m for the quarter, as improved results from associated companies and joint ventures remained insufficient to offset the drop in earnings from the post and parcel segment and freight forwarding business. Underlying net profit for the first half of the financial year held stable at S$52.4M.
Paul Coutts, group CEO, said, “Domestic letter mail volume continues to decline while e-commerce-related package volume continues to grow, leading to the overall lower blended margins of our financial performance, partly offset by our cost leadership program.
“To further mitigate the impact of this trend, we have recently announced a streamlining of domestic postal products and an increase in international mail rates that will come into effect from December 2, 2019.
“SingPost remains optimistic in the actions we are taking to reposition ourselves for the future. These initiatives, such as our Smart Letterbox system, will undoubtedly transform Singapore’s postal landscape and position us for the future,” Coutts added.
Source : https://www.parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com/news/operations
Gig workers making history together
November 06, 2019
TORONTO – Hearings continued in Toronto today in which the results could be a defining moment for gig economy workers in Canada.
The misclassification of gig workers as independent contractors instead of dependent contractors or employees is being fought by Foodora couriers at the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB).
“Gig economy workers have been too vulnerable for too long,” says Jan Simpson, CUPW national president. “The Board has the opportunity to make things right and set a precedent for gig workers around the world. It’s time to put worker rights first.”
In May of this year, Foodora couriers and drivers announced their plans to unionize with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). In July, CUPW filed for union certification with the OLRB. A vote was held in August but the results remain sealed as contested issues are now being discussed with the Board.
Foodora couriers, along with their allies and supporters gathered outside the OLRB before the hearings began, showing that the labour movement is strong and united in its fight for workers.
Many of those allies were Uber drivers, who this summer announced their plans to unionize with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), but have not yet filed an application for certification with the Board.
“If it wasn’t for the Foodsters, we wouldn’t be here,” says Ejaz Butt, an Uber driver who helped start his union drive. “Under the Constitution, we knew we had rights, but it was their perseverance that inspired us to push forward, and I hope we can now do the same for others.”
Companies like Foodora and Uber promise flexibility to couriers, saying that they’re independent contractors - their own boss. In doing so, they avoid paying for even the most basic employment benefits like employment insurance, or CPP/QPP premiums. The couriers and drivers argue that they are dependent contractors since the companies control much of their work and administer discipline like any other boss.
“The labour movement is coming together today to fight injustice, and stands behind Foodora couriers and Uber drivers in their fight to unionize so they can bargain with their employer for decent work,” says Chris Buckley, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour.
“The OLRB has a responsibility to the workers of Ontario to end the misclassification of gig workers and stop employers from dodging their responsibilities.”
Whatever the outcome of today’s hearing, one thing is certain: the movement to unionize gig workers is only growing.
Source : https://www.cupw.ca/en
Underlying cash operating income up €2 million to €25 million
November 04, 2019
Financial highlights Q3 2019
Revenue at €636 million (Q3 2018: €638 million)
Underlying cash operating income at €25 million (Q3 2018: €23 million)
Profit from continuing operations at €13 million (Q3 2018: €19 million)
Net cash from/(used in) operating and investing activities improved to €54 million (Q3 2018: €(42) million)
E-commerce-related revenue further increased to 53% YTD
Operational highlights Q3 2019
11% volume growth in Parcels
Addressed mail volume declined by 10.6%
€9 million in cost savings achieved
Delivery quality at 95%
Postcon
Sale completed
Acquisition of Sandd
Transaction closed
On track to migrate first part of Sandd volumes in December and to complete integration in HY1 2020
Process to offer jobs to all Sandd’s postal deliverers has started
Anticipated underlying cash operating income impact from the Sandd acquisition of between €(15) million and €(25) million in Q4 2019
Outlook 2019
Expected underlying cash operating income (UCOI) 2019 confirmed at between €170 million and €200 million
Adjusted for impact of Sandd in Q4 2019: expected UCOI 2019 of between €150 million and €180 million
Successful Green Bond offering
€300 million in fixed rate notes with a coupon of 0.625% and a term of seven years issued
Financing needs for medium term covered; no covenants
CEO statement
Herna Verhagen, CEO of PostNL: “The transaction with Sandd has closed recently and enables us to secure reliable, accessible and affordable postal services today and in the future. We will continue our existing moderate pricing policy and remain focused on people, quality and innovation in the postal sector. We aim to complete the integration in the first half of 2020. Furthermore, we are preparing for changes in Dutch labour regulation next year.
In general, we face increasing headwinds from ongoing global economic pressure. Volume growth at Parcels came in at 11%, with a continuing lower growth rate in some customer segments. This impacts our margin development at Parcels in Q3 and brings the expected FY margin to around 7%. We are executing our strategy aiming to improve the balance between volume growth, profitability and cash conversion. At Mail in the Netherlands, result was slightly better than last year. We expect the FY margin to be more or less in line with last year.
Against the backdrop of these developments, our underlying cash operating income increased to €25 million in Q3, a satisfying result. Preparations for our peak season have started and Q4 will be our strongest quarter in terms of volumes and financial performance. We confirm our 2019 outlook for underlying cash operating income at between €170 million and €200 million. Adjusted for the first financial impact of the Sandd acquisition, visible in Q4, this will translate to between €150 million and €180 million.”
Source : https://www.postnl.nl/en/about-postnl/press-news/press-releases/2019
Focus on the local, not Amazon former US exec tells eBay Australia
November 4, 2019
E-commerce giant eBay shouldn’t try to compete directly with its behemoth rival Amazon, according to one of its former top executives Petra Hofer, who is preparing to visit Australia for Sydney start-up conference StartCon.
Speaking to The Australian, Ms Hofer said eBay's point of difference was its local focus, something Amazon couldn't match.
‘‘Competing with Amazon is probably not eBay's sweet spot,’’ Ms Hofer said. ‘‘I think eBay can do a lot of things to be more customer-centric (than Amazon), and I think eBay Australia is certainly one of the shining examples of that. They come up with innovations that are truly unique for the Australian market, and that keeps it competitive with larger players.
“eBay needs to focus on being a local marketplace, and it can win there.’’
Ms Hofer was an eBay executive for two decades. She served as a director of technology and launched eBay's first international sites, including Australia.
She said change was inevitable for a company that was continually growing and innovating, but strong culture was a constant.
‘‘Obviously a company has to change,’’ she said. ‘‘When I joined in 1999, there were 200 people and we could all fit on half a floor of one building.
“Communication was easy, being focused and having all the right priorities was easy, and so was innovating because we had to.
“We were one of the first internet companies, and all the stuff that nowadays you can find easily in open source libraries we had to invent from scratch.’’
She will be using her StartCon keynote to talk about building innovation at scale.
She is particularly well credentialed to talk about it, given she led the innovation program for all of eBay.
‘‘It's all about the principles you put in place, and what kind of culture you want to build in the company,’’ she said. ‘‘How do you allow people to take risks without feeling like everything is up in the air?
‘‘I'm quite pragmatic about it, and the message will be ‘here's what we did, and here's how it works’.”
StartCon boss Lana Vickridge-Smith said Ms Hofer was one of a number of successful start-up employees to speak at the conference set to take place at the Royal Randwick Racecourse on November 22 and 23.
‘‘I'm thrilled with the incredible speakers taking the time to come to Australia and share their wisdom and experience in technology,’’ Ms Vickridge-Smith said. ‘‘It's so important to have people talking about corporate innovation within tech.”
Source : https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/technology