DOCSLIB.ORG

Study on Appropriate Methodologies to Better Measure Consumer Preferences for Postal Services

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Study on Appropriate Methodologies to Better Measure Consumer Preferences for Postal Services CHILDREN AND FAMILIES The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and EDUCATION AND THE ARTS decisionmaking through research and analysis. ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE This electronic document was made available from www.rand.org as a public INFRASTRUCTURE AND service of the RAND Corporation. TRANSPORTATION INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS LAW AND BUSINESS NATIONAL SECURITY Skip all front matter: Jump to Page 16 POPULATION AND AGING PUBLIC SAFETY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Support RAND TERRORISM AND Browse Reports & Bookstore HOMELAND SECURITY Make a charitable contribution For More Information Visit RAND at www.rand.org Explore RAND Europe View document details Limited Electronic Distribution Rights This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law as indicated in a notice appearing later in this work. This electronic representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for non-commercial use only. Unauthorized posting of RAND electronic documents to a non-RAND Web site is prohibited. RAND electronic documents are protected under copyright law. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of our research documents for commercial use. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please see RAND Permissions. This product is part of the RAND Corporation technical report series. Reports may include research findings on a specific topic that is limited in scope; present discussions of the methodology employed in research; provide literature reviews, survey instru- ments, modeling exercises, guidelines for practitioners and research professionals, and supporting documentation; or deliver preliminary findings. All RAND reports un- dergo rigorous peer review to ensure that they meet high standards for research quality and objectivity. TECHNICAL REPORT Study on Appropriate Methodologies to Better Measure Consumer Preferences for Postal Services Final Report Charlene Rohr • Urs Trinkner • Alison Lawrence • Priscillia Hunt Chong Woo Kim • Dimitris Potoglou • Rob Sheldon Prepared for Internal Market and Services DG MARKT/2010/14/E EUROPE The research described in this document was prepared for the Internal Market and Services DG MARKT/2010/14/E. RAND Europe is an independent, not-for-profit research organisation whose mission is to improve policy and decision making for the public good. RAND’s publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors. R® is a registered trademark. © Copyright 2011 European Commission All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means (including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval) without permission in writing from the European Commission. Published 2011 by the RAND Corporation 1776 Main Street, P.O. Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138 1200 South Hayes Street, Arlington, VA 22202-5050 4570 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2665 Westbrook Centre, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1YG, United Kingdom RAND URL: http://www.rand.org RAND Europe URL: http://www.rand.org/randeurope To order RAND documents or to obtain additional information, contact Distribution Services: Telephone: (310) 451-7002; Fax: (310) 451-6915; Email: [email protected] Preface RAND Europe, in conjunction with Accent and Swiss Economics, was commissioned by the European Commission Directorate-General Internal Market and Services to conduct research on appropriate methodologies to better measure consumer preferences for postal services. This report summarises work undertaken testing the use of stated preference discrete choice experiments to measure consumer preferences for postal services. It discusses the importance of understanding and quantifying consumer priorities in the postal sector and presents different methods used for valuing non-market goods. We recommend the use of stated preference discrete choice experiments, and test the use of this approach in three member states. We provide the findings for these member states, as well as a “tool kit” for applying this methodology in other member states in future. RAND Europe is an independent not-for-profit policy research organisation that aims to improve policy and decision making in the public interest, through research and analysis. RAND Europe’s clients include European governments, institutions, NGOs and firms with a need for rigorous, independent, multidisciplinary analysis. For more information about RAND Europe or this document, please contact Charlene Rohr at: RAND Europe Westbrook Centre Milton Road Cambridge CB4 1YG United Kingdom Tel. +44 (1223) 353 329 [email protected] iii Contents Preface ........................................................................................................................ iii Table of Figures ........................................................................................................... ix Table of Tables ............................................................................................................ xi List of Acronyms and Definitions ............................................................................... xv Country Abbreviations ............................................................................................. xvii Summary ................................................................................................................... xix Acknowledgements ................................................................................................ xxxix CHAPTER 1 The importance of understanding consumers’ preferences for postal services ................................................................................... 1 1.1 Structure of the report ....................................................................................... 2 CHAPTER 2 Our methodological framework for measuring consumers’ preferences for postal services ........................................................... 3 2.1 Valuing non-market goods and services ............................................................. 3 2.2 Understanding consumers’ priorities for postal services ...................................... 7 2.2.1 The role of postal services .................................................................... 7 2.2.2 Underlying needs of postal services from an economic perspective ........................................................................................... 8 2.2.3 Summary and remarks ....................................................................... 11 CHAPTER 3 Implementing the valuation methodology in three member states .............................................................................................. 13 3.1 Defining the attributes to be tested in the choice exercises ............................... 13 3.1.1 Implications of our analysis of the underlying needs of postal services ............................................................................................... 14 3.1.2 Review of attributes tested in other postal studies ............................... 16 3.1.3 Levels of USO across member states ................................................... 19 3.1.4 Views from stakeholders..................................................................... 20 3.1.5 Recommended attributes to be tested ................................................. 21 3.2 Treatment of altruism ..................................................................................... 27 3.3 The inclusion of an “as now” or baseline alternative ........................................ 27 3.4 Designing the choice experiments .................................................................... 28 3.5 Other information collected in the questionnaire ............................................ 32 3.6 Key market segments ....................................................................................... 33 v Study on Appropriate Methodologies to Better RAND Europe Measure Consumer Preferences for Postal Services Accent Swiss Economics 3.7 Recommended survey sample sizes ................................................................... 34 3.8 Survey methodology ........................................................................................ 36 3.9 Choosing the member states for testing the methodology ................................ 37 3.10 Pilot testing the questionnaire in the member states ......................................... 48 3.10.1 Cognitive testing ................................................................................ 48 3.10.2 Pilot surveys ....................................................................................... 49 3.11 Main surveys.................................................................................................... 51 3.11.1 Characteristics of the achieved sample ................................................ 51 3.12 Summary of key implementation issues ........................................................... 58 CHAPTER 4 Postal service preferences for customers in Italy, Poland and Sweden ........................................................................................... 59 4.1 Background findings ........................................................................................ 59 4.1.1 Mail sending and receipt .................................................................... 59 4.1.2 Paying for postage .............................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 207 Final COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT
    EUROPEAN COMMISSION Brussels, 17.11.2015 SWD(2015) 207 final COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Accompanying the document Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of the Postal Services Directive (Directive 97/67/EC as amended by Directive 2002/39/EC and Directive 2008/6/EC) {COM(2015) 568 final} EN EN Contents 1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ................................................................ 4 1.1. Postal Services in the Digital Age ..................................................................... 4 1.2. The Postal Services Directive ............................................................................ 5 1.3. Purpose and Scope of the Fifth Application Report and Staff Working Document .......................................................................................................... 6 2. APPLICATION OF THE POSTAL SERVICES DIRECTIVE 2008/6/EC ............... 8 2.1. Transposition and Application of Directive 2008/6/EC .................................... 8 2.2. Regulation of Postal Services ............................................................................ 8 2.2.1. National Regulatory Authorities .......................................................... 8 2.2.2. Authorisation and Licensing Regimes ............................................... 10 2.3. The Universal Service: Basic Postal Services for All ..................................... 13 2.3.1. Designation of Universal Service Provider(s) ................................... 13 2.3.2. Services
    [Show full text]
  • List with Shipping-Information Per Country and Delivery Service
    Storage period (working days) for pick- up after unsuccessful delivery Shipment link from Austrian Post Country Delivery service Delivery attempts attempt(s) Austria Österr. Post AG 2 4 days from Austrian Post Austria Preferred post office 1 4 days from Austrian Post Austria Preferred pick up station 1 4 days from Austrian Post Austria EMS quick shipping Mo - Fr 7am – 1pm 1 4 days from Austrian Post Germany DHL Parcel 1 4 days from Austrian Post Germany Packstations: DHL Paketversand 1 4 days from Austrian Post Switzerland Swiss Post 1 n.a. from Austrian Post Italy SDA 2 4 days from Austrian Post Belgium bpost NV/SA 1 4 days from Austrian Post Bulgaria Express one 2 n.a. from Austrian Post Croatia Overseas Express 2 4 days from Austrian Post Cyprus Cyprus Post 1 4 days from Austrian Post Czech Republic PPL CZ 1 4 days from Austrian Post No home delivery, pick up from local 4 days from Austrian Post Denmark Bring DK BRING parcel shop/BRING partner shop Estonia Eesti Post 1 4 days from Austrian Post No home delivery, pick up from local 4 days from Austrian Post Finland Itella Posti Oy post office branch France LA POSTE - Colissimo 1 4 days from Austrian Post Greece Hellenic Posts-ELTA 1 4 days from Austrian Post Hungary Express one 2 n.a. from Austrian Post Ireland An Post 1 4 days from Austrian Post Latvia Latvijas Pasts 1 4 days from Austrian Post Liechtenstein Post Liechtenstein 1 4 days from Austrian Post Lithuania Lietuvos pastas 1 4 days from Austrian Post Luxembourg Enterprise des Postes &Telecommunications 1 4 days from Austrian Post Malta MaltaPost p.l.c.
    [Show full text]
  • Asendia USA COVID-19 Update September 25 2020.Xlsx
    Status Key On Schedule Expect Delays Service Suspended Inbound Transportation to Asendia USA Facilities: Facility Transportation Status Date Updated Daily Updates/Comments New York - Hauppauge On Schedule 9/25/2020 Pennsylvania - Folcroft On Schedule 9/25/2020 Florida - Miami On Schedule 9/25/2020 Illinois - Elk Grove Village On Schedule 9/25/2020 California - Bell On Schedule 9/25/2020 California - Hayward On Schedule 9/25/2020 Operational Processing @ Asendia USA Facilities: Facility Processing Status Date Updated Daily Updates/Comments New York - Hauppauge On Schedule 9/25/2020 Pennsylvania - Folcroft On Schedule 9/25/2020 Florida - Miami On Schedule 9/25/2020 Illinois - Elk Grove Village On Schedule 9/25/2020 California - Bell On Schedule 9/25/2020 California - Hayward On Schedule 9/25/2020 USPS International Service Centers: Facility Processing Status Date Updated Daily Updates/Comments The USPS reported that the ISCs are in good condition and delayed volumes are down to one-quarter of what they had been. JFK has about 27,000 on hand and most of that is letter volume. In addition to air lift, the USPS was using surface for parcels destined to Austria, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Finland, Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland. Volume is from the JFK, MIA and ORD ISC's. The USPS has no additional surface trips planned but will use as needed. Ocean JFK-RTM since August: ISC New York (JFK) Expect Delays 9/25/2020 - Shipment (9) 7/21 - Arrived 8/11 – containers picked up by Post NL - Shipment (10) 8/4 - Departed 8/5 arrived 8/26 – 1 container - Shipment (11) 8/18 - Departed 8/18 scheduled arrival 9/8 – 2 containers Australia and NZ - USPS reporting delays with air lift from all ISC's.
    [Show full text]
  • DMM Advisory Keeping You Informed About Classification and Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service
    July 2, 2021 DMM Advisory Keeping you informed about classification and mailing standards of the United States Postal Service UPDATE 184: International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19 On July 2, 2021, the Postal Service received notifications from various postal operators regarding changes in international mail services due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The following countries have provided updates to certain mail services: Mauritius UPDATE: Mauritius Post has advised that the Government of Mauritius has announced the easing of COVID-related restrictions as of July 1, 2021, subject to strict adherence to sanitary protocols and measures. On July 15, 2021, Mauritius will gradually open its international borders. However, COVID-19 continues to have a direct impact on international inbound and outbound mails to and from Mauritius. Therefore, the previously announced provisions and force majeure continue to apply for all inbound and outbound international letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items. New Zealand UPDATE: New Zealand Post has advised that the level-2 alert in the Wellington region has ended as of June 29, 2021. Panama UPDATE: Correos de Panama has advised that post offices, mail processing centers (domestic and international) and the air transhipment office at Tocúmen International Airport are operating under normal working hours and the biosafety measures established by the Ministry of Health of Panama (MINSA). Correos de Panamá confirms that it is able to continue to receive inbound mail destined for Panama. However, Correos de Panama is unable to guarantee service standards for inbound and outbound mail. As a result, force majeure with respect to quality of service for all categories of mail items will apply until further notice.
    [Show full text]
  • Monetary Financial Institutions and Markets Statistics Sector Manual March 2007
    MONETARY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND MARKETS STATISTICS SECTOR MANUAL MARCH 2007 GUIDANCE FOR THE STATISTICAL ISSN 1830703-5 CLASSIFICATION OF CUSTOMERS 9 771830 703003 THIRD EDITION MONETARY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND MARKETS STATISTICS SECTOR MANUAL MARCH 2007 GUIDANCE FOR THE STATISTICAL CLASSIFICATION OF CUSTOMERS In 2007 all ECB publications feature a motif THIRD EDITION taken from the €20 banknote. © European Central Bank, 2007 Address Kaiserstrasse 29 60311 Frankfurt am Main Germany Postal address Postfach 16 03 19 60066 Frankfurt am Main Germany Telephone +49 69 1344 0 Website http://www.ecb.int Fax +49 69 1344 6000 Telex 411 144 ecb d All rights reserved. Reproduction for educational and non-commercial purposes is permitted provided that the source is acknowledged. ISSN 1830-7035 (online) CONTENTS CONTENTS FOREWORD 4 PART ONE – INTRODUCTION 7 1 General principles of sectorisation 7 2 Residence principles 7 3 Sectorisation in the euro area 8 4 Sectorisation in the “Rest of the world” 10 5 Borderline cases in the delimitation of the euro area 11 6 Additional sources of information and contact persons 11 Annex: International organisations 12 Summary table of the sectoral breakdown of euro area monetary, financial institutions and markets statistics 14 PART TWO – COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY EXPLANATORY NOTES 17 Belgium 17 Bulgaria 25 Czech Republic 33 Denmark 43 Germany 51 Estonia 61 Ireland 67 Greece 75 Spain 80 France 90 Italy 100 Cyprus 106 Latvia 112 Lithuania 120 Luxembourg 129 Hungary 133 Malta 137 Netherlands 145 Austria 151 Poland 156 Portugal 166 Romania 175 Slovenia 181 Slovakia 187 In accordance with Community Finland 194 practice, Member States are listed using Sweden 201 the alphabetical order of the national United Kingdom 207 languages.
    [Show full text]
  • Postcom News Archives January 2018 National News
    PostCom News Archives January 2018 National News January 28 Bloomberg: Amazon.com Inc. is expanding a service launched to make more groceries, cleaning supplies and other products available for quick delivery directly from merchants without overwhelming the e-commerce giant’s warehouses with additional inventory, according to documents reviewed by Bloomberg. The trial pushes Amazon’s logistical reach beyond its own facilities and into those of its merchants, encroaching on services of long-time delivery partners United Parcel Service Inc. and FedEx Corp. Amazon is enticing the sellers who use the company’s online marketplace with lower delivery costs, logistics software, warehouse inspections and recommendations. Amazon will oversee pickup of packages from warehouses of third-party merchants selling goods on Amazon.com and the delivery to customers’ homes, work that is now often handled by UPS and FedEx. Amazon could still use these couriers for delivery, but the company will decide how a package is sent instead of leaving it up to the seller. Handling more deliveries itself would give Seattle-based Amazon greater flexibility and control over the last mile to shoppers’ doorsteps, let it save money through volume discounts and help avoid congestion in its warehouses by keeping merchandise in the outside sellers’ own facilities. Amazon is recruiting more sellers and has changed the name to FBA Onsite, according to documents reviewed by Bloomberg, associating the program with its popular logistics service Fulfillment By Amazon that launched in 2006. January 27 PostalNews: Millions of Americans utilize USPS on a daily basis, yet the public desire for a Postal Service that serves the common good is trumped by the financial wealth and political power of relatively few owners of large corporations that utilize the Postal Service for advertising purposes.
    [Show full text]
  • Study About the Economics of Postal Services
    ECONOMICS OF POSTAL SERVICES: FINAL REPORT: APPENDICES A Report to the European Commission DG-MARKT Prepared by NERA June 2004 London Project Team John Dodgson José Maria Rodriguez Jan Peter van der Veer Stephen Gibson Juan Hernandez Barbara Veronese 15 Stratford Place London W1C 1BE Tel: (+44) 20 7659 8500 Fax: (+44) 20 7659 8501 Web: http://www.nera.com An MMC Company TABLE OF CONTENTS APPENDIX A. THE THEORY OF THE COST FUNCTION 1 A.1. General Description of Cost Function 1 A.2. Alternative Functional Forms 2 A.3. Economies of Scale, Density and Scope 3 APPENDIX B. PREVIOUS STUDIES ON THE ECONOMETRIC ESTIMATION OF THE COST FUNCTION FOR THE PROVISION OF POSTAL SERVICES 5 APPENDIX C. COUNTRY REPORTS 43 C.1. Austria 43 C.2. Belgium 48 C.3. Cyprus 51 C.4. Czech Republic 53 C.5. Denmark 59 C.6. Estonia 63 C.7. Finland 67 C.8. France 70 C.9. Germany 74 C.10. Greece 77 C.11. Hungary 82 C.12. Ireland 88 C.13. Italy 92 C.14. Latvia 96 C.15. Lithuania 99 C.16. Luxembourg 102 C.17. Malta 106 C.18. Netherlands 109 C.19. Poland 111 C.20. Portugal 113 C.21. Slovakia 117 C.22. Slovenia 124 C.23. Spain 130 C.24. Sweden 135 C.25. United Kingdom 139 n/e/r/a APPENDIX D. TECHNICAL APPENDIX: DATA SOURCES AND ASSUMPTIONS 143 D.1. Common Variables 143 D.2. Data for Individual Member States 144 REFERENCES 169 LIST OF TABLES Table B.1 Index of Average Cost for La Poste and USPS in 1999 7 Table B.2 Estimated Delivery Cost Model 11 Table B.3 Important Factors Determining Operational Efficiency (OE) at Mail Processing Centres 13 Table B.4 Global Elasticities of
    [Show full text]
  • Position Paper
    Page 1/5 POSITION PAPER The ECORYS Study on “Development of competition in the European postal sector” 22 March 2006 PostEurop, the Association of 43 Postal Operators, holders of the Universal Service Obligation at national as well as at international level, through its Postal Directive Working Group, has followed with attention the progress and the outcome of the Study performed by ECORYS for the European Commission (DG Markt) titled : “The development of competition in the European postal sector”1. The Study has been made public in mid-August 2005. The European Commission hosted a workshop on 10 October 2005 during which ECORYS described the main results of its study. PostEurop has already taken the opportunity to issue its opinions on the progress of the ECORYS study and refers therefore to its existing Opinion Paper of 15 June 20052. Following the invitation of the European Commission, PostEurop is pleased to have the opportunity to convey the following position observations in order to positively contribute to the further definition of Community postal policy. 1. GENERAL REMARKS At first sight the study provides a fresh view on current developments within the European postal sector as well as its (possible) future. The report’s uniqueness lies in the fact that it combines up-to- date knowledge of postal companies, their processes, the markets they serve, current and potential competitive forces, strategic options and the impact of liberalisation to draw a picture of the possible future of the European postal sector. ECORYS is considering the development of competition on the upstream markets as an indicator of the overall process of liberalisation.
    [Show full text]
  • ERGP Summary of COVID-19 Measures in Postal Services
    ERGP summary information on measures adopted for postal service in view of the COVID-19 outbreak Report 1 - Summary of answers In view of the COVID-19 outbreak, the ERGP is collecting information about measures adopted in the postal sector in view of the Covid-9 outbreak. ERGP is also collecting information regarding the operational and regulatory impact of the pandemic. Below you can find a summary of the information collected by ERGP members (updated until 21 April 2020). Table 1: Measures Country 1. Measures Implemented by: Government NRA USP and Providers Austria The whole country has been advised to reduce public The postal operators do operate normally, however deliveries are only made life to a minimum and the population as well as all to the door and any personal contact with the receiver shall be avoided. others who are presently in Austria, to urgently stay at Postal offices are open as usual, but there is a limit of three people to be home and to reduce any outdoor contact to a allowed to enter the store at the same time. minimum, as well as not to stay close to other persons. The postal operators advise strongly only to ship items when the acceptance Furthermore currently 4 smaller regions have been set by receivers is guaranteed, as they will be returned otherwise and the in quarantine (all of these are touristic areas). In these capacity for storage is limited. regions nobody may move out or in, except emergency Postal items for receivers, such as locked down companies shall not be sent services and food delivery.
    [Show full text]
  • Parcel Post Compendium Online Maltapost Plc. MTA MT
    Parcel Post Compendium Online MT - Malta Maltapost plc. MTA Basic Services PREDES Pre-advice of international dispatch Yes V 2.0 information - origin post 1 Maximum weight limit admitted RESDES Dispatch receipt information (response Yes 1.1 Surface parcels (kg) 30 V 1.1 to a PREDES) – destination post 1.2 Air (or priority) parcels (kg) 30 5.1.5 Ready to start transmitting data to partners wishing to receive data 2 Maximum size admitted 5.1.6 Other messages transmitted 2.1 Surface parcels PRECON Pre-advice of international consignment No 2.1.1 2m x 2m x 2m No – origin post (or 3m length & greatest circumference) RESCON Response to a PRECON – destination No 2.1.2 1.5m x 1.5m x 1.5m No post (or 3m length & greatest circumference) CARDIT Carrier documents international No 2.1.3 1.05m x 1.05m x 1.05m Yes transport – origin post (or 2m length & greatest circumference) RESDIT Response to a CARDIT – destination No 2.2 Air parcels post 2.2.1 2m x 2m x 2m No 6 Home delivery (or 3m length & greatest circumference) 6.1 Initial delivery attempt at physical Yes 2.2.2 1.5m x 1.5m x 1.5m No delivery of parcels to addressee (or 3m length & greatest circumference) 6.2 If initial delivery attempt unsuccessful, Yes 2.2.3 1.05m x 1.05m x 1.05m Yes card left for addressee (or 2m length & greatest circumference) 6.3 Addressee has option of paying taxes or Yes duties and taking physical delivery of the item Supplementary services 6.4 There are governmental or legally 3 Cumbersome parcels admitted Yes binding restrictions mean that there are certain limitations in implementing home 4 Maximum size admitted delivery.
    [Show full text]
  • Main Developments in the Postal Sector (2013-2016)
    Main Developments in the Postal Sector (2013-2016) Country Fiches Study for the European Commission, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Written by Ph.D. Henrik Ballebye Okholm, partner in charge Mindaugas Cerpickis, project manager Anna Möller Boivie, project manager Martina Facino Jimmy Gårdebrink Mattias Almqvist Ph.D. Bruno Basalisco, quality assurer Marjolein Geus, legal expert Bird & Bird Jochem Apon, legal expert Bird & Bird July – 2018 EUROPEAN COMMISSION Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs GROW.E – Modernisation of the single market Unit E.2 — Public Interest Services Contact: Raphaël Goulet E-mail: [email protected] European Commission B-1049 Brussels EUROPEAN COMMISSION Main Developments in the Postal Sector (2013-2016) Country Fiches Study for the European Commission, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs 2018 Europe Direct is a service to help you find answers to your questions about the European Union. Freephone number (*): 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (*) The information given is free, as are most calls (though some operators, phone boxes or hotels may charge you). LEGAL NOTICE This document has been prepared for the European Commission however it reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. More information on the European Union is available on the Internet (http://www.europa.eu). Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2018 ISBN number: 978-92-79-93171-0 doi: 10.2873/121483 © European Union, 2018 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.
    [Show full text]
  • Association for Postal Commerce
    Association for Postal Commerce "Representing those who use or support the use of mail for Business Communication and Commerce" "You will be able to enjoy only those postal rights you believe are worth defending." 1800 Diagonal Rd., Ste 320 * Alexandria, VA 22314-2862 * Ph.: +1 703 524 0096 * Fax: +1 703 997 2414 Postal News for May 2013 May 31, 2013 Post & Parcel: Post Danmark suffered a massive IT network failure on Wednesday, which took out its track and trace system. The national postal operator in Denmark said the disruption to its communications systems also meant that customers were unable to contact customer service regarding their inability to track their packages. Despite the problems, the company insisted yesterday that it is now back to delivering letters and parcels on time. Post & Parcel: PostNL will be increasing its prices from the beginning of August, with the basic rate for a domestic letter rising 11% to 60c. The Dutch postal service said the rate increases are necessary to counter the impacts of the country’s 8-10% annual decline in mail volumes. Letters going to European destinations will see rates rise to 96c, while letters going to the rest of the world will be charged at EUR 1. Business rates will also increase from 1st August, the company said. The basic rate for franked mail will be EUR 0.52. Despite beginning a “rigorous” series of restructuring effort and cost-saving plans, PostNL said its universal postal service is loss- making as a result of the large volume declines, while it continues to meet its obligation to guarantee mail delivery within 24 hours and maintain networks of 2,000 post offices and 15,000 mailboxes.
    [Show full text]