KEEPING YOU INFORMED
PCC LEADERS INVITED TO DISTRICT MEETINGS
Through a series of meetings now under way, the Postal Service is keeping Postal Customer Council leaders informed about USPS actions to reduce costs and bring the size of its infrastructure into alignment with reduced customer demand.
PCCs serve as an essential communications link in keeping mailers at the local level informed about how the Postal Service is responding to the challenges it faces.
At meetings with district postal officials, the leaders of individual PCCs are hearing specifics about the Postal Service's retail network plans and initiatives to sustain postal operations, and are encouraged to share this critical information with their membership.
“For the past 50 years Postal Customer Councils have helped mailers grow their businesses throughout America by promoting the value of the mail,” said Postmaster General Pat Donahoe in a letter to PCC leaders. “I very much appreciate your business and your longstanding support and leadership.”
RETURN TO TOP
THIRD QUARTER FINANCIALS
REVENUE FROM SHIPPING SERVICES INCREASES
The Postal Service ended its third quarter of fiscal year 2011 with a net loss of $3.1 billion, compared to a net loss of $3.5 billion for the same period in FY 2010. Total mail volume declined to 39.8 billion pieces for the quarter, compared to 40.9 billion pieces in the third quarter of FY 2010.
Net losses for the nine months ending June 30 amount to $5.7 billion in 2011 compared to $5.4 billion in 2010.
Even with significant cost reductions and revenue growth initiatives, current financial projections indicate the Postal Service will have a cash shortfall and will have reached its statutory borrowing limit by the end of the fiscal year. Absent substantial legislative change, USPS will be forced to default on payments to the federal government.
Despite an overall dire financial situation, the Postal Service reports increased revenue for the quarter in certain areas. Standard Mail revenue increased 1.7 percent in the third quarter, and Package Services revenue increased 3.2 percent. Revenue from Shipping Services, including Express Mail and Priority Mail, increased 7.3 percent for the quarter.
RETURN TO TOP
NATIONAL PCC DAY IS SEPT. 21
Reminder: National PCC Day is coming up in less than a month. Over 100 PCCs will host local events and tune into the keynote address by Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, which will be broadcast live at noon EDT from the Tampa PCC, the 2010 PCC of the Year. In addition, a video featuring Chief Marketing/Sales Officer Paul Vogel will be distributed to PCCs to share with their members. Vogel will update PCC members on product and service innovations. Check with your local PCC for scheduled events.
QBRM AND THE IMB
Qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM) customers transitioning to the Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) take note. In revised procedures, mailers are not required to submit samples for QBRM existing approved pieces or to reapply for approval in the QBRM program when transitioning to the IMb. Click here for information about Reply Mail and to download a copy of Business Reply Mail with Intelligent Mail Barcodes. Find this link in the right column of the Web page under "Related Information."
A WEIGHT INCREASE
The Postal Service is boosting the weight limit for its “Reply Rides Free” incentive program, which enables mailers to include more content in their First-Class Mail pieces without paying additional postage. Currently, the incentive lets mailers add two-tenths of an ounce to each mailpiece by including advertising, notices or other materials in return for a postage credit. Beginning Sept.1, qualifying mailers may send First-Class Mail automation letters weighing up to 2 ounces at the 1-ounce price. Mailers new to the program can apply for participation through Sept. 15. The current Postal Bulletin has more details.
FYI
Even with the redesign of usps.com, you can still find PCC information with the previous url: https://www.usps.com/pcc. Once you are on that page and wish to read the PCC Insider and its archives, select “Read PCC Insider” from the left column. Or to go directly to the PCC Insider, bookmark the following URL: https://www.usps.com/business/read-pcc-insider.htm
.
RETURN TO TOP
INSIDE SCOOP
RETURN TO TOP
- National PCC Day, September 21, 2011 Tampa, FL
- National Postal Forum, April 1–4, 2012 Orlando, FL
RETURN TO TOP
YOUR LINKS TO MAILING RESOURCES
U.S. Postal Service: usps.com
National PCC Network: usps.com/pcc
RIBBS: ribbs.usps.gov
Questions? Comments? Send an email to pccinsider@usps.gov
Sign up for PCC Insider at usps.com/pcc, select “PCC Insider Registration”
PCC Insider online archives
PCC Management Insights online archives
RETURN TO TOP
|
FIRST VPO OPENS
 |
| Red’s Hop N’ Market is the Postal Service’s first Village Post Office. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Collins/Marketplace. |
The nation’s first Village Post Office (VPO) is now open. It’s located in a small market in Malone, WA.
The Postal Service has introduced the VPO program as a potential replacement option for communities either lacking a postal retail facility or affected by retail optimization efforts. VPOs will operate in non-Postal Service establishments — such as existing businesses, town halls or government centers — and can provide a range of services, including accepting mail and selling Forever stamps and Priority Mail products.
Today, more than 35 percent of the Postal Service’s retail revenue comes from expanded access locations such as grocery stores, drug stores, office supply stores, retail chains and self-service kiosks. More than 70,000 third-party retailers — Approved Postal Providers — offer postal products and services.
RETURN TO TOP |
| © 2011 United States Postal Service. The following are among the many trademarks owned by the United States Postal Service: USPS®, U.S. Postal Service®, United States Postal Service®, Postal Service™, Post Office™, Priority Mail®, Express Mail®, Standard Mail™, First-Class Mail®, Registered Mail™, Certified Mail™, RIBBS™, Delivery Confirmation™, Signature Confirmation™, ZIP Code™, Click-N-Ship®, FOREVER®, NetPost®, Intelligent Mail®, Stamps Now®, PCC Insider® and The Postal Store®. This list is not a comprehensive list of all Postal Service marks. See our privacy policies at usps.com. If you prefer not to receive future email communications from the Postal Service, contact PCC Insider to stop future emails. Write us at: PCC Insider, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L’Enfant Plaza Rm 4541, Washington DC 20260-4541 |
|
