UPS Hints At Higher Peak Season Pricing in 2015
As it lowered guidance on its earnings for Q4 and fiscal 2015, UPS also talked about possible adjustments to its peak season pricing later this year.
Transportation
UPS Said to Handle 4 Million Returns By First Week of January, Up 15% from 2013
With many consumers large and small finding that not everything Santa brought was exactly what they wanted, UPS said it expects to handle 4 million returns packages by the end of the first week in January, up 15% from 3.5 million in 2013. The company estimated this deluge of reverse logistics hit a peak of 800,000 packages on Jan. 6.
FedEx to Increase Fuel Surcharges Effective Feb. 2
As it is losing money from fuel surcharge revenue due to falling oil prices, FedEx plans to increase its fuel surcharge rates on Feb. 2, effectively putting them in line with rates from rival UPS.
USPS Inspector General Says Sunday Delivery Inefficient
The USPS OIG said the USPS has been inefficient in handling Sunday deliveries for major customer Amazon, leading to over $350,000 in additional costs.
Google Express Seeing Holiday Gains in Battle with Amazon
Google is seeing gains in its Google Express same-day delivery service this holiday season, as it looks to claw back ecommerce search traffic lost to Amazon.com because more consumers are going there for product research.
According to Google, as cited in an article by Bloomberg, Google Express handled 50% more toys in the two weeks after the Thanksgiving holiday, while sales of books rose more than 30%.
An eBay Local Pilot Grows in Brooklyn
eBay said 83 businesses – including online merchants as well as retailers with physical stores – have joined its eBay Local pilot program in Brooklyn, NY., offering a range of delivery options, including $5 same-day and in-store pickup, to consumers through eBay’s website and mobile apps.
The Brooklyn trial is taking place as the company shifts the focus of Amazon Local more toward its core marketplace sellers, with less emphasis on major retailers.
Down to the Wire for Seasonal Shipping Peak 2014
As the 2014 retail seasonal shipping peak roars to a close, the major carriers are seeing their numerous upgrades and investments put to the test.
ShipMatrix Talks On-Time Performance of the Major Carriers
ShipMatrix president Satish Jindel talks with Multichannel Merchant senior editor Mike O’Brien about his company’s latest on-time performance report for UPS and FedEx, and how major initiatives and investments from … Continue Reading →
Dec. 15 Is Peak Holiday Shipping Volume Day for FedEx, USPS
Monday, Dec. 15 is expected to be the highest volume delivery day for both FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service, with UPS projecting the following Monday, Dec. 22, to be its largest shipping day this holiday season.
Make Room for Dimensional Weight Pricing: A Look Ahead at Shipping in 2015
A quick primer on imminent dimensional weight pricing changes from UPS and FedEx, how to calculate them, and what you can do if your business is affected.