FreightWaves: UPS and USPS Beat Expectations during Peak Season

(Image Source: Freight Waves)

UPS and the US Postal Service (USPS) successfully maintained customer satisfaction during the recent peak season despite supply chain issues. Meanwhile, FedEx struggled to keep their promises to the customers. 

Based on ShipMatrix’s data, from November 28th to Christmas Eve, UPS delivered 96.9% of parcels on time. Similarly, USPS managed to ship out 96.5% within commitment time thanks to its investments in additional facilities and labor. FedEx, on the other hand, did not perform as well; due to personnel shortage and disrupted ground-delivery network, only 88.2% of their orders reached customers on time.

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Even so, FedEx’s overall performance throughout 2021 was still impressive with 95.1% of parcels being delivered in a timely manner. As for USPS, there was a significant improvement in shipping speed as compared to 2020, where it only delivered 93.2% of its parcels on time. UPS’ annual performance was also slightly better than the year before. 

In general, all three carriers exceeded expectations in December according to ShipMatrix. They have overcome various problems ranging from labor shortage to Covid-19 pandemic. In part, this impressive result is due to shoppers placing their orders earlier in the year, which facilitated smoother delivery. Finally, with the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions, more and more shoppers could also return to brick-and-mortar stores, thus further reducing the workload for shippers. 

Source: UPS, Postal Service excelled during peak delivery season, consultant says

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