Cross-Border Shipping Costs Going Up July 1, More Hikes in January

| Mike O'Brien

International shippers are going to face increased postal rates on July 1 as a September agreement among member countries of the 192-member Universal Postal Union (UPU) takes effect, with the U.S.’s self-declared terminal dues rates going into effect for inbound letters and small parcels.

PRC Approves Lower Postal Rates Ahead of UPU Meeting

| Mike O'Brien

The Postal Regulatory Commission has approved a range of postal rates for smaller packages originating from overseas to the United States, part of an effort to level the playing field for U.S. merchants and manufacturers disadvantaged by international postage rules.

global ecommerce

Ecommerce in the UK Sees 17.8% Growth in 2016

| MCM staff

Ecommerce in the UK grew 17.8% in 2016 and was worth 174 billion euros or approximately $205 billion. A report by the Ecommerce Foundation revealed that in 2016, 82% of shoppers in the UK shopped online. Find out more about ecommerce growth in the UK as well as popular online categories and predictions for 2017.

Foot Locker’s Acqusition of Runners Point Group is Official

| Erin Lynch

Foot Locker announced that it has officially acquired German-based specialty athletic retailer Runners Point Group. The acquisition of Runners Point Group represents a significant addition to Foot Locker’s European footprint, where it already operates more than 600 Foot Locker stores and had revenue of more than $1 billion in 2012.

HoneyBaked Ham Company to Launch in Japan

| MCM staff

The HoneyBaked Ham Company announced that after it’s 55-year history selling in the United States it will now expand to Japan with a storefront, an ecommerce site, sampling and a full marketing campaign specific to the region.