I’m Jay Kent, CEO/Founder of SLB Performance, a business advisory group that helps companies, like yours, reduce supply chain costs, implement BI tools, improve in-stocks and customer service. After 25 years of leading some of the most complex supply chains in the industry, I began advising companies in multiple industries and verticals.
It’s important to understand the market to mitigate costs and improve efficiencies. So, twice a month, I’ll share parcel news and thoughts. Be sure to hit the subscribe button to receive the latest newsletter in your LinkedIn notifications.
In addition, on those weeks that Parcel Notes does not go out, we send a market update and analysis email to subscribers. If you would like to be added, please DM me.
Amazon
- A coalition of Amazon Teamsters, the Alliance for a Greater New York and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union are pushing for passage of the Mayor Zohran Mamdani-backed “Delivery Protection Act” that would require Amazon to employ all last-mile delivery drivers in the city rather than rely on subcontractors writes Forbes’ Pam Danziger.
- Amazon plans to expand drone delivery of packages to 500 U.S. cities by the end of the year. Customers could receive the drone deliveries in as fast as 30 minutes and can carry packages up to 5 pounds according to the press release.
- Amazon announced that it had expanded its locker program to more than 750 locations across 500 campuses in the U.S.
FedEx
- FedEx said it has begun the process of issuing $800 million in tariff refunds it received from the government back to the customers that paid them. UPS said in April it had paid $5 billion in tariffs on behalf of clients and would begin the process of applying to the government for refunds. In the first phase, it applied for $500 million in refunds and said customers should get refunds one to three months after it receives reimbursement from the Treasury. DHL similarly said that it has filed claims for almost all eligible shipments where it served as the importer of record and is returning the refunds it has received writes AP’s Mae Anderson.
- FedEx will close two facilities in Palm Springs and Victorville California, laying off 116 employees at the end of September, the company stated in a government filing writes LA Times’ Annika Duneja.
- Memphis International Airport was officially renamed Frederick W. Smith International Airport during a recent ceremony according to local television station WZTV’s Kendal Lewis.
UPS
- The U.S. Department of Transportation has approved United Parcel Service’s request to transfer six of its Hong Kong flying rights from Poland and Vietnam so it can inaugurate service to Clark Airport in the Philippines, where an expansion project for the carrier’s hub is expected to be completed later this year writes Freightwave’s Eric Kulisch. https://www.freightwaves.com/news/dot-approves-ups-transfer-of-hong-kong-routes-to-philippines
- The USPS has been transporting more First-Class Mail and Marketing Mail via air instead of more economical ground transportation this year in order to satisfy its UPS air cargo contract. Through the contract, the USPS guarantees a minimum average daily volume, but declining Priority Mail volume hasn’t made reaching that minimum easy writes Supply Chain Dive’s Max Garland.
Additional News
- Uber and Zipline announced a strategic partnership aimed at completing 1 million drone deliveries per day in the U.S. by the end of 2029 writes Sourcing Journal’s Glenn Taylor.
- The Home Depot announced the nationwide rollout of Express Delivery for a small flat fee in U.S. markets, with no subscription or membership required according to the retailer’s press release. Home Depot notes that it leverages its supply chain network and more than 2,000 U.S. stores functioning as fulfillment hubs.
That’s it for now. Stay tuned for the next newsletter Sept 2.
Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button to ensure you receive it in your LinkedIn notices. In addition, if you like what you’re reading, sign up to receive additional insights and analysis via emails twice a month – DM me for more info. In addition, be sure to check out our growing number of videos on our YouTube channel and our website for more information.
Most important though, reach out if you’d like to learn how to lower or even possibly eliminate any parcel fees. 📦