Transportation Insight, a logistics technology and services provider based in Hickory, NC, has acquired Spend Management Experts, a leading parcel spend management consultancy, to augment its expansion into the ecommerce and small parcel space as it continues to grow rapidly. The deal closed at the end of December.
ShipMatrix, a provider of software and services for parcel shippers, has created a new offering that aims to address the massive problem of a shortfall in major carrier capacity this holiday season by making it more attractive for shippers to use the U.S. Postal Service for lightweight items.
Three out of every five parcels shipped in 13 major world markets is originating from China, and Amazon shipped more than 1.9 billion parcels in the U.S. alone in 2019, a 155% increase contributing to a five-year CAGR of 30%, according to Pitney Bowes’ annual parcel shipping index.
FedEx announced its 2021 rate schedule, once again with a 4.9% increase for its ground, express and home delivery services, lower than some observers had expected, and the addition of a late fee for unpaid invoices, which UPS has had in place for years. FedEx is also adding surcharges for high cost and out-of-the-way areas.
Parcel shipping services will be in high demand for peak holiday season as more consumers are shopping online in the midst of COVID. And a new wave of peak surcharges from major carriers poses a significant burden for ecommerce shippers – and they’ve already hit. Here are ways to mitigate the costs coming into peak season.
The House approved a $25 billion relief package for the beleaguered USPS, a measure not expected to pass muster in the GOP-led Senate, as new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is undergoing intense scrutiny in Washington over changes he is initiating. A second hearing before a House panel is scheduled for today.
The U.S. Post Office is taking the unprecedented step of seeking a peak surcharge in anticipation of huge holiday demand for ecommerce parcel shipping. If approved the increases would take effect from Oct. 18 to Dec. 27, ranging from an additional 24 cents to $1.50 more per package, across all its products.
USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy doubled down on the need for greater efficiency and performance, while enacting new measures. Also, the USPS reached an agreement in principle to receive a $10 billion loan from the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the CARES act, and created for the first time a loyalty program.
What do major changes at USPS mean for thousands of businesses that rely on it daily for parcel delivery, as well as giants like UPS, FedEx and Amazon? How will these changes affect SLAs and CSAT? We discuss these issues with Cathy Roberson, founder and president of Logistics Trends and Insights on our latest MCM podcast.
Retailers, direct-to-consumer brands, marketplaces and marketplace sellers riding the lockdown boom in cross-border ecommerce are getting a massive wake-up call today as global postal rates into the United States start … Continue Reading →