Northern Virginia Postal Customer Council Articles List View

Earlier in July, the United States Postal Service announced plans to raise postal rates for the majority of its services. Should the proposal be passed, it would increase rates by around 6 percent, except for periodicals, standard mail parcels and media/library mail, which would grow by 8 percent, 23 percent and 7 percent, respectively.

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) said Wednesday that senators who oversee the U.S. Postal Service's budget will block a proposal by the head of that agency to drop Saturday mail delivery.

The Affordable Mail Alliance today asked the Postal Regulatory Commission to dismiss the U.S. Postal Services exigent rate hike proposal filed on July 6. AMA’s motion argues that the rate hike--an average of 10 times the rate of inflation--violates the cost controls Congress put in place to protect consumers.

Direct mail is a robust marketing medium, with formats ranging from postcards to brochures, each with its own benefits. Now, the United States Postal Service is focusing on the sales potential of catalogs with a new initiative.

The US Postal Service (USPS) is targeting e-commerce merchants with an integrated marketing campaign emphasizing the potential of print catalogs. The effort includes direct mail, webinars, instructional DVDs and web banner ads. The USPS created the campaign internally.

The debate over potential changes at the U.S. Postal Service is like a fight over the dessert bar on the Titanic. Raising first-class postage rates and eliminating Saturday delivery won't matter much when the Postal Service hits the iceberg. And USPS will do just that, soon, unless there is a reimagining of its mission.

Mintel Comperemedia recently reported that direct mail volumes are on the rise, a sign that many businesses are renewing their marketing efforts after the economic recession caused many to focus on customer retention rather than acquisition.

The US Postal Service is targeting e-commerce merchants with an integrated marketing campaign emphasizing the potential of print catalogs. The effort includes direct mail, webinars, instructional DVDs and web banner ads. The USPS created the campaign internally.

Direct mail will account for $19.17 billion in media supplier advertising revenue during 2010, making it the top revenue generator tracked by forecasting firm MagnaGlobal. But combined spending on online direct and local digital marketing will reach parity with it this year, and will surpass it in 2011.

A U.S. Postal Service State-of-Business update

Initiative seeks to boost exporting by small and mid-sized companies.

“The Decision” resting on the shoulders of the Postal Regulatory Commission on Oct. 4 could very well send shock waves throughout the multichannel merchant world.

Deputy Postmaster General and Chief Operating Officer Pat Donahoe recognized Northern Virginia EXFC performance during the latest Field Updates broadcast. During the past 4 weeks Northern Virginia EXFC performance was ranked among the top 5 clusters in the nation.

The U.S. Postal Service, confronting a $7 billion loss in 2011, has requested a 2-cent increase in first-class postage. Since the increase will only erase part of its deficit, the USPS is considering other cost-savings measures, including ending Saturday delivery. The news has generated a predictable response from organizations and businesses that depend on cheap mail.

The U.S. Postal Service wants to raise the price of a first-class stamp by 2 cents to 46 cents to avoid running out of cash next year, officials said. A sharp decline in mail volume, the recession and increased use of the Internet to pay bills have contributed to a financial crisis.

The post office isn't obsolete yet, but it will be soon if Congress continues with business as usual. And if Congress can't fix the postal service, it's a grim indicator of its ability to rein in the national debt, curtail runaway entitlement spending, or get the economy back on track.

Volume discounts and free additional weight are included in the proposed price changes the U.S. Postal Service filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) today.

A new Forever Stamp image will be available as part of a pricing package that would add less than 13 cents a month to the average American household’s budget.

As the U.S. Postal Service looks for ways to close a nine-figure budget gap, it may have just found $50 billion. Or maybe $75 billion. It depends on who you ask.

Study: Postal Service overpaid retirement fund by $50B By Frank Washkuch DM News An independent study authorized by the Postal Regulatory Commission has found that the financially struggling US Postal Service has overpaid its Civil Service Retirement System benefits by at least $50 billion. The PRC authorized The Segal Company, an actuarial and consulting firm, to prepare the report on possible USPS overcharges. The inquiry found that "an adjustment of $50 ...