USPS Expands Greeting Card Line
The Postal Service has added nearly 200 selections to its Greeting Card Program this month.
The Postal Service’s Greeting Card Program, available at 1,500 participating Post Offices nationwide, has added nearly 200 selections to its product line this month.
Now it’s easier and more affordable than ever for customers to find the perfect card. From fancy to inexpensive, the new “value line” of greeting cards are priced as low as $2 and range to $3.75, a lower overall average price than previous lines.
To ensure customer convenience, retail associates at participating Post Offices are working with Hallmark retail merchandisers to organize card displays in “good, better and best” pricing tiers.
Just in time for Father’s Day, graduations and summer weddings, the new line of cards combines selection with convenience by allowing customers to purchase, stamp and mail their greeting cards while conducting other postal business.
USPS launched its Greeting Card Program in October, 2009, at 500 Post Offices. According to Hallmark, Americans bought 7 billion cards last year.
source: USPS
Hallmark Introduces Postage-Paid Greetings for Mother’s Day
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (April 26, 2011) — Mother’s Day is for giving mom thanks for all she’s given; and now, thanking mom is easier with card innovations fromHallmark. New for Mother’s Day 2011, Hallmark is offering Postage-Paid Greetings — a line of cards that already includes postage. Just sign, seal and send!
“Mother’s Day is an opportunity to pause and celebrate the perfectly, imperfect moments we share with mom 365 days a year — moments that make motherhood and life meaningful,” said Molly Wigand, Hallmark writer. “By offering Postage-Paid Greetings and other innovative cards, Hallmark is making it easier for consumers to celebrate these meaningful moments.”
Hallmark Postage-Paid Greetings feature the U.S. Postal Service’s Intelligent Mail barcode on the front of the envelope. When the cards are processed at a Postal Service facility, the barcode automatically indicates to the Postal Service the postage is paid. The postage is treated like a Forever Stamp, and its value will always be equal to the price of a standard First-Class stamp, regardless of when it’s mailed. There are more than 90 Postage-Paid Greetings specifically for Mother’s Day and more than 200 “everyday” and seasonal Postage-Paid Greetings ranging from $2.69 to $3.99.
For those who want to hand deliver a Mother’s Day card or affix their own stamp, Hallmark offers a variety of innovative card solutions that do not include postage but still offer convenience. Mother’s Day Gift Card Greetings already come with a gift — a $5 or $10 gift card to a variety of destinations. Other cards like Recordable Greetings give mom the gift of personalization — her loved one’s voice. And richly-designed Boutique Greetings, some which come with gem-like adornments, allow consumers to give mom a card as pretty on the outside as she is on the inside.
Hallmark offers more than 900 Mother’s Day cards, including cards from theHallmark Sinceramente and Mahogany card lines, as well as cards for moms, grandmothers, step-mothers, aunts, daughters and other important women.
Mother’s Day Facts
• Mother’s Day is the third-largest card-sending holiday in the United States with 139 million cards exchanged annually.
• Hallmark has been producing Mother’s Day cards since the early 1920s
Hallmark and the U.S. Postal Service Launch Postage-Paid Greeting Cards
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Hallmark and the U.S. Postal Service introduce PostagePaid Greetings — a line of “everyday” and seasonal cards that already include postage. Just sign, seal and send.
“In this busy world of ours, Hallmark and the Postal Service want to help make connecting with loved ones a little bit easier,” said Rob Bensman, vice president of strategic alliances at Hallmark. “PostagePaid Greetings provide you with everything you need. All you have to do is add a personal message.”
Hallmark Postage-Paid Greetings feature the U.S. Postal Service’s Intelligent Mail barcode on the front of the envelope. When the cards are processed at a Postal Service facility, the barcode automatically indicates to the Postal Service the postage is paid. The postage is treated like a Forever stamp, and its value will always be equal to the price of a standard First-Class stamp, regardless of when it’s mailed.
“We know card-sending is an important tradition and receiving cards is as meaningful as it ever was,” said Paul Vogel, president and chief marketing/sales officer, U.S. Postal Service. “We are pleased to work with Hallmark in a way that honors this tradition while providing consumers with added convenience afforded by advanced technology.”
More than 200 varieties of everyday Postage-Paid Greetings will be sold in Hallmark Gold Crown stores, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS and other Hallmark distribution locations. Seasonal cards will be available starting this Easter season. Postage-Paid everyday cards can be purchased for $3.99, and seasonal cards will range in price from $2.69 to $3.99. For more information, visit www.hallmark.com.
source: Hallmark and the U.S. Postal Service Launch Postage-Paid Greeting Cards
USPS and Hallmark To Introduce New Line Of Postage-paid Greeting Postcards
Starting next week, USPS and Hallmark will introduce a new line of postage-paid greeting postcards.
The postcards use Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) technology, allowing customers to buy them with pre-paid postage — also referred to as “Alternative Postage Payment.”
The postcards come in packs of eight. There are two sets, each with eight unique designs. The sets will be available in 2,000 Hallmark Crown Stores across the country.
Hallmark research suggests that making First-Class Mail easier to mail encourages consumers to send more greeting cards. With pre-paid postcards, customers won’t have to buy postage — or be concerned about how much postage is needed.
Barcode sorters performing IMb scans during normal mail processing will track the number of postcards entering the mailstream to calculate Hallmark’s total postage payment.
“Alternate Postage Payment is a breakthrough product that uses technology to create convenience for consumers and revenue for USPS and its business partners,” said Steve Monteith, manager of Transactions and Correspondence Mail. “When sorters read the IMb code, the prevailing rate for First-Class Mail postage will be applied.”
Alternate Postage Payment postcards also feature three other technology elements — a legend that includes a permit number, a new facing identification mark to orient, separate and trigger an image capture of both sides of the mailpiece, and an imprint that reads, “No postage necessary if mailed in the United States.”
Monteith says employees should follow normal processing and delivery procedures for these postcards. “To ensure timely processing, employees should not obliterate barcodes or other information within the address block,” he said.
For more information about postage-paid greeting postcards, send an e-mail to janine.m.kalthoff@usps.gov. Enter “Hallmark postcards” in the subject line.
USPS To Hold Public Meeting On Consolidation of Fox Valley and South Surburban Illinois P & DCs
AREA MAIL PROCESSING (AMP) FEASIBILITY STUDY
Fox Valley, IL P&DC to South Suburban, IL P&DC
Date: 5/19/10
Area Mail Processing (AMP) is the consolidation of mail processing operations from one or more postal facilities to other facilities to improve operational efficiency and/or service.
An AMP study was initiated to evaluate the transfer of originating mail processing operations from the Fox Valley, IL Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) with those performed at the South Suburban, IL P&DC. The initial results of this study support the business case for consolidation.
This study, currently in review at United States Postal Service Headquarters and its Area Office, is subject to change.
A public meeting will be held to share the initial results of the study and allow members of the community to ask questions and provide feedback. The public’s input will be considered prior to a final decision.
The meeting will be held on Thursday, June 3, at Waubonsee Community College, Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive, Sugar Grove, IL 60554 at 7:00 pm.
Below are preliminary highlights from the feasibility study:
1. Business Case:
Proposed annual savings in the draft AMP feasibility study are approximately $1,552,397.
2. Postal Employees:
Due to the consolidation, a net decrease of approximately 40 positions is projected. All
reassignments will be made in accordance with collective bargaining agreements.
3. Local Customer Considerations:
Services that are currently available from the Fox Valley facility will continue to be available to
customers.
• Collection box pick-up times will not change as a result of the AMP.
• Retail services will remain the same.
• Business mail acceptance will remain the same.
• A local postmark will be available for stamped First-Class Mail.
• Delivery of mail to residences and businesses will not change as a result of the AMP.
4. Commercial Mailers:
• Mailers who presort mail will continue to receive applicable postage discounts.
• Mailers who drop ship mailings will continue to deposit them at the Fox Valley facility.
Comments may be sent to:
CONSUMER AFFAIRS MANAGER
CENTRAL ILLINOIS DISTRICT
6801 W 73RD ST
BEDFORD PARK IL 60499-9631
All comments must be postmarked by June 18, 2010.
Hallmark Announces First Postage-Paid Postcards
Hallmark today announces the company’s first postage-paid product, Postage-Paid Postcards. The postcards were developed with the US Postal Service and use a new barcode technology that eliminates the need for consumers to apply a stamp.
Hallmark chose to offer Postage-Paid Postcards when consumers expressed interest in a product that could be easily written and mailed, citing a need for convenience and ease. The 16 postcards are sold in packages of eight different designs that use humor to encourage women facing difficult life circumstances. The postcards are part of a new line of humor products designed to help women encourage each other. Each package retails for $9.99.
“Consumers told us they feel it’s important to send encouragement to friends going through difficult times and the simpler it is to do, the more likely they are to reach out,” notes Cindy Mahoney, Hallmark vice president of product development. “These Postage-Paid Postcards create a convenience we’ve not offered before. All you need to do is fill out the postcard and drop it in the mailbox.”
The Postage-Paid Postcards will be available in Hallmark Gold Crown stores at the end of May.
USPS Partners With Hallmark to Provide Greeting Cards At Post Offices
Jack Ehlert was the first customer to purchase a greeting card at an Illinois
The Postal Service has partnered with Hallmark to provide greeting cards. Reportedly the “Greeting Card test pilot” will be performed in 1,500 Post Offices. The test phase is expected to run at least one (1) year which started October 1, 2009. USPS intends full implementation to approximately 15,000 Post Offices.
USPS has implemented the Greeting Card test pilot in parts of Illinois. According to Deana Carr, retail specialist, United States Postal Service: “Greeting cards are a true fit to the Postal Service’s core business. If customers are purchasing shipping supplies to mail their holiday, birthday, graduation or other gifts and they forgot to bring a card to mail with it, there will be a selection of greeting cards for their convenience.” source: Naperville (Ill) Sun
picture source: Naperville (Ill) Sun