With thousands of vehicles moving packages around the world each day, UPS recognizes its contribution to the problem of carbon dioxide emissions. Driven by a sense of duty and good business practices, UPS has invested in alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles, utilizes solar and wind energy, and works to maximize efficiency throughout the delivery process… Read More
In March, 2012, UPS announced that it reached a deal to purchase the Dutch company, TNT Express, for $6.8 billion dollars. TNT Express is a relatively unknown company in the United States. However, the express courier has extensive rail and ground operations throughout Europe and has made a significant investment internationally in emerging markets throughout… Read More
In recent years, the floral industry has developed into much more than the corner flower shop. This Mother’s Day, when you are shopping for the perfect bouquet, your options are nearly endless. You can still shop at the local florist, purchase from an online retailer, or you can also package your own arrangement or potted… Read More
A few years ago, a new courier in bright yellow trucks appeared in the United States. But then, almost as quickly as it appeared, it vanished. So where did DHL come from and what happened to the express parcel service? DHL was started with a few friends carrying documents on flights between California and Hawaii… Read More
The cost of shipping continues to rise. The cost of corrugated boxes, packing materials, labels, labor, fuel and more, continue to rise at a time when margins are being cut by a weakened economy and price competition. Here are some cost reduction techniques to help you reduce costs without reducing your level of customer service… Read More
In his 1993 book, Raving Fans, author Ken Blanchard said, “Your customers are only satisfied because their expectations are so low and because no one else is doing better. Just having satisfied customers isn’t good enough anymore. If you really want a booming business, you have to create Raving Fans.” Ok, we think of creating… Read More
The wave of retailers offering free shipping is growing as customers become savvier in their online shopping activities. Free shipping used to be reserved for the holiday season or for orders that met a minimum purchase level. Most retailers offer the purchaser the ability to arrange expedited orders for an additional fee. Of course, this… Read More
Recently, UPS and FedEx announced sweeping increases in package shipping rates for both air and ground delivery services. Averages of both companies’ rate increases work out to approximately 4.9% for shippers. However, a recent study by LJM Freight Auditing and Consulting concluded that many shippers, including retailers, actually face rate hikes from 6.5% to 8.8%.… Read More
Greenwashing is a relatively new term in our lexicon that means a company uses “spin” to deceptively promote products or an image as being eco-friendly, when in fact, they operate in the opposite fashion. In the US shipping industry, there has been a concerted effort to operate in a more “green” or eco-friendly fashion, and… Read More
They say, “time is money”, but who has time to watch every aspect, of every action, involved in your business? Products and services are developed every day to make us more efficient, and to squeeze (pun intended) every bit of productivity out of your day. However, when businesses face a challenge (lemon), it takes time… Read More