A VERY GOOD WEEK FOR LETTERS. FLATS BEHAVE AS FLATS WILL.
After two weeks of relatively poor performance after July 13’s rate and rules changes, most mail showed a return to the performance levels we had before the changes. In fact, both First-Class and Marketing Mail letters exceeded YTD averages for on-time performance and had faster transit times than YTD. It was a striking turnaround from the first two weeks under the new rules. Perhaps USPS and industry have made the adjustments needed to adapt to new rules. One week can be an aberration or a trend – only time will tell.
The one worrying statistic was Marketing Mail flats performance, which continued a worsening trend. 90.1% on time isn’t terrible, but it’s the worst we’ve seen since March. We’re less than two months away from the catalog promotion, so we expect a real test then. First-Class flats continue to be all over the place. Our sample for them may still be too small.
Still, overall, a pretty good week. Let’s hope for more and even – dare I say it? – better.
