UPS Making It Even Easier to Return Retail Goods

(BUSINESS WIRE)--UPS (NYSE:UPS) is piloting a new returns service with a few pre-selected retailers that allows consumers to return items shipped via UPS by placing them in their own mailboxes for pickup by the U.S. Postal Service® (USPS).

Known as UPS Returns® Flexible Access, the offering uses the USPS Parcel Return Service® combined with UPS’s own delivery network to allow retailers to provide their customers with increased convenience in returning items. Consumers in the pilot program receive special package labels that allow them to leave a UPS Returns® package in their own mailbox or other location for their postal carrier to pick up. They also can drop the package off at their local Post Office™ or in postal collection boxes.

Once a returns package arrives at the local post office, a UPS driver picks it up and transports the package back to the retailer via the UPS ground network.

The combination of USPS options with the traditional UPS access channels -- The UPS Store®, UPS drop boxes, UPS customer centers, third-party retailers (Office Depot, Staples, Authorized Shipping Outlets) and UPS drivers -- creates the most extensive network of package pickup options available to the consumer today.

“This is a potential game-changer for consumer-to-business returns,” said John Sutthoff, UPS vice president of global marketing and supply chain strategy. “UPS already offers the industry’s most extensive returns portfolio and adding the unmatched convenience of allowing consumers to use the U.S. Postal Service’s more than 160 million access points – including their own homes – creates an unparalleled returns service.”

Among retailers participating in the pilot is Buy Seasons, Inc., the world’s largest retailer and supplier of costumes, accessories, seasonal décor and party supplies on the Internet. The pilot is expected to last about five months. UPS will work closely with the pilot customers and the USPS to determine when and if the service will be made available to other retailers on a more widespread basis.

“Working with UPS on this extension of Parcel Return Service brings together the best of both companies, leveraging the Postal Service’s unparalleled reach to every address in the United States,” said Jim Cochrane, vice president of Ground Shipping for the Postal Service. “The added value of high visibility and the convenience of the most extensive network of drop-off and pick-up options available in the consumer market today make this service unbeatable.”

According to a study by Forrester Consulting commissioned by UPS, online retailers with generous returns policies have a competitive advantage over those retailers who install “gates” in their process. The study found that companies with more generous policies, in the long term, have the ability to grow sales, generate loyalty and drive incremental revenue for retailers with a web presence. In fact, 81 percent of consumers contacted for the study agreed with the statement, ‘If an online retailer makes it easier for me to return a product, I am more likely to buy from that retailer.’

UPS’s current returns portfolio offers shippers several advantages to meet their specific requirements, including:

* The industry’s most extensive returns label generation and delivery options. Last year, the company introduced international UPS Returns, allowing customers to efficiently return purchased items from 98 countries or territories around the globe. The service is available within the UPS Shipping Tool, an application program interface (API) that enables customers to integrate them into their own Web sites and enterprise applications.
* Better time-in-transit than traditional returns consolidators.
* A consistent, reliable transportation network.
* Visibility and tracking of in-transit returns for both the retailer and end-customer.

The new returns service is not the first example of UPS working with the USPS for the benefit of mutual business customers. Since 2001, UPS Mail Innovations has helped companies more efficiently and effectively move mail while achieving the maximum postage savings possible.

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Delta Launches Improved SkyMiles® Shopping with 350 Added Retailers

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Delta Air Lines [NYSE: DAL] SkyMiles members now can shop at more than 500 leading online retailers while searching and comparing more than 20 million products through the new and improved SkyMiles Shopping, a premier online shopping destination.

At SkyMilesShopping.com, members earn up to 10 miles per dollar spent and receive special mileage bonuses and savings when they shop at top online merchants, including Barnes & Noble.com, circuitcity.com, homedepot.com, JCPenney.com, Lands’ End ®, Staples.com, Williams-Sonoma.com, and many more.

“We’re excited to offer our members more options and convenience when shopping at their favorite online stores,” said Jeff Robertson, managing director of Delta’s SkyMiles Program. “This seamless and superior shopping experience gives members the opportunity to earn their next Award ticket by making everyday purchases.”

To launch the new SkyMiles Shopping experience, Delta worked with Mall Networks, a leading provider of merchant-funded loyalty shopping solutions. Mall Networks offers SkyMiles members more retailers, hundreds of special offers and coupons, improved search capabilities and a personalized comparison shopping experience. Prior to Mall Networks, SkyMilesShopping.com featured mileage-earning opportunities and savings at 150 online retailers.

Dave Andre, president and CEO of Mall Networks, said, “Delta is a market leader and innovator when it comes to loyalty programs, and they recognize the unmet potential of merchant-funded loyalty shopping. With our innovative solution and strong track record of success, Mall Networks is the perfect partner to provide powerful, flexible shopping options to SkyMiles members.”

Mall Networks provides innovated multi-channel loyalty shopping solutions that increase revenue, strengthen customer loyalty, and improve member engagement for a range of industries including financial services, card issuers, airline and hospitality, affinity organizations and loyalty programs. Featuring an integrated network of more than 700 world-class online and bricks-and-mortar merchants, Mall Networks' multi-channel shopping solutions and flexible, on-demand platform power personalized online and in-store shopping programs for more than 100 million consumers. Industry leaders including JPMorgan Chase, Upromise, Verizon, Shop.org, Spirit Airlines, Virgin and NASCAR rely on Mall Networks to build loyal, profitable customer relationships. Mall Networks is headquartered in Lexington, Mass. For more information, visit www.mallnetworks.com.

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