• UPS forecasts record holiday delivery of more than 700 million packages.
  • Black Friday-to-New Year's Eve deliveries up more than 14 per cent with two more operating days from 2015.
  • 13 of 21 holiday delivery days before Christmas to exceed 30 million packages.
  • New temporary processing facilities and operational technology increase capacity, efficiency and flexibility.

 

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 15, 2016 /CNW/ - UPS® (NYSE:UPS) plans for record seasonal global delivery volume with an increase of more than 14 per cent above the peak delivery period last year. The company and its customers benefit from two additional delivery days during 2016. This year the company expects to surpass 700 million packages delivered globally in 25 days between American Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve.

UPS has increased the level of planning and close collaboration with its largest holiday shippers in order to develop early seasonal shipping forecasts. Based on current information, the company anticipates a record 13 of the 21 delivery days before Christmas to exceed 30 million packages daily. UPS delivers approximately 18 million packages daily during typical non-peak shipping periods.

"Online and mobile commerce is simultaneously creating new opportunities and challenges for the retail industry, yet a constant remains: the holiday season is the most important time of the year for retailers," said Kate Gutmann, senior vice-president, UPS sales and solutions. "We are committed to helping make this year's peak season a success for our shippers in all industries."

Since Christmas falls on Sunday, UPS is developing operating plans that smooth volume throughout the busy weeks, advancing pickups and processing through the weekend prior to its peak delivery day – currently scheduled for Monday, Dec.19th – to ensure customers enjoy timely deliveries.

A similar approach from Black Friday through Cyber Weekend (Nov. 25-27) will advance processing and smooth volume flow across the following week as merchants fulfill orders from distribution centers and through store inventory earlier in the season.

More than 30 million consumers are expected to use the UPS My Choice® service to receive text or email alerts letting them know when packages are on the way. UPS My Choice allows members to plan when and where they receive packages.

UPS My Choice also reduces not-at-home delivery attempts, since preferences can be set by consumers to re-direct the package to a nearby UPS Access Point® location for convenient pickup or to avoid the eyes of children hoping to discover gifts.

With almost 1,000 locations across Canada, the UPS Access Point Network – The UPS Store® or other neighbourhood businesses, including local dry cleaners, pharmacies and coffee shops, are ready for your holiday shipments. With evening and weekend hours to accommodate a consumer's busy schedule, the locations provide a secure setting for consumers to retrieve their delivery if they are unable to receive their package at home, or if they live in a multi-tenant building that does not provide package collection as part of concierge services. Consumers can also drop off their returns at UPS Access Point locations.  

Earlier this year, UPS launched a simplified shipping tool that is still available at ups.com/readynow. The tool offers special pricing of up to 30 per cent off regular published rate if customers drop off and ship to a UPS Access Point location. It also notifies the customer when the package is at the location and is ready for pickup.

Flexing the Network Capacity
Throughout 2016, UPS has been preparing for its busiest shipping season with the opening of new or expanded hub facilities in several countries. Operational efficiency also will come from other advanced technologies that provide better visibility into the contents of full trailers loaded by shippers and tendered to UPS for processing.

"In addition to investing in temporary seasonal processing facilities, UPS is implementing new technology and automation systems to increase capacity, efficiency and flexibility within the operations," Gutmann added.

In Canada, UPS has doubled capacity in Stratford, Chatham, Brantford and Regina in preparation for peak season. UPS has also added additional capacity facilities in Quebec City, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Abbotsford. Facilities in both Edmonton and London have also been added for both peak preparedness and construction/development needs.

UPS plans to employ approximately 900 temporary seasonal workers in Canada, including delivery walkers. Candidates for seasonal jobs can apply on UPSjobs.com.  

The UPS Delivering the Holidays media kit with photography and video is available at pressroom.ups.com/holidays or to download assets.

To view and download a copy of the UPS year-end holiday schedule, visit holidays.ups.com/ca/.

UPS 2016 Holiday by the Numbers

Black Friday - December forecast


700+ million packages

Delivery days during period


25 days

Average daily delivery volume (ADV)


Approximately 28 million packages Forecast percentage increase 14 per cent

Forecast percentage (same day basis)


5 per cent

Peak delivery week


Dec. 19-23, 2016

Peak week daily delivery volume (ADV)


Approximately 30 million packages

Busiest tracking day


Dec. 21st – 204 million tracking requests

Hiring


Approximately 900 seasonal workers

UPS My Choice®


500,000+ members in Canada;



30 million members globally

UPS Access Point® locations


Almost 1,000 in Canada, 25,000+ globally

The UPS Store® locations


More than 4,900

 

About UPS
UPS (NYSE: UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including transporting packages and freight; facilitating international trade, and deploying advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. The company can be found on the web at ups.com® and its corporate blog can be found at longitudes.ups.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS or follow @UPS_News on Twitter.

SOURCE UPS Canada Ltd.

Copyright 2016 Canada NewsWire

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