Transportation and logistics provider FedEx Corp. is expanding the coverage area of its Sunday residential delivery service ahead of the holiday shipping season, saying the move would give it a “significant weekend competitive advantage” over other carriers delivering e-commerce parcels.
Saying it was preparing for an “unprecedented” peak holiday shipping season, Memphis-based FedEx said its FedEx Ground year-round Sunday residential coverage will now cover nearly 95% of the U.S. population beginning September 13, up from just over 60% at present.
The company first rolled out year-round Sunday delivery service in January, saying it would help serve consumers’ fast-growing adoption of online shopping for home delivery. FedEx had already supported that practice during the winter peak season. FedEx’ parcel delivery rival UPS Inc. likewise launched Sunday delivery in January.
FedEx’ move comes amid a handful of other enhancements designed to increase capacity, including:
In addition, the company is expanding the coverage area of its FedEx Freight Direct service, which offers delivery of heavy and bulky shipments inside customers‘ homes or businesses. The offering will now expand its Standard and Premium service offerings to cover 90% of the U.S., effective Sept. 14.
Finally, FedEx said its Retail Convenience Network—which supports package pickup and drop-off services at FedEx Office locations as well as retail stores like the Dollar General, Walgreens, Kroger, and Albertsons chains—is poised to serve as a Buy Online Pickup in Store (BOPIS) network for small and medium merchants who lack their own brick-and-mortar locations.
“FedEx has nearly 50 years’ experience flexing our network to stay ahead of what’s next,” Raj Subramaniam, president and chief operating officer of FedEx, said in a release. “We’re excited to have expanded our e-commerce capabilities even further—including the acceleration of FedEx Ground’s seven-day a week residential delivery, investments in automated facilities and growth in our FedEx Freight Direct service and our retail convenience network. These strategic investments will help better support what is expected to be an unprecedented holiday shipping season.”
Editor's note: This article was revised on September 4 to show how much FedEx will expand its service.
Copyright ©2024. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing