FIRST-CLASS MAIL MAKES SOME SLIGHT GAINS, STILL LOW ON TIME PERFORMANCE
First-Class letters ticked up some percentage points, with flats at a high, as the final election mail pushes through the system. These numbers, especially for letters, are still well below last year’s on-time percentages.
The Atlantic area made some small gains, while the southern area seems to have focused on flats at the expense of letters. Interesting to note the difference in percentages of First-Class flats vs Marketing Mail Flats in that Atlantic area, clearly election related.
As our lead reporter/expert analyst noted last week, this still applies: “Some statistical anomalies may arise out of political mail, as our sample includes a lot of it. First-Class mail also travels greater distances in our sample – all commercial mail – so transportation issues may contribute.” - DL
Going into the holiday rush, USPS has a challenge ahead, to at least maintain, and preferably make some gains on these delivery numbers.
(Cub reporter/average analyst Lisa Bowes reporting, on behalf of Dave Lewis.)
