The US Postal Service expects to end the current fiscal year with a volume decline of nine billion pieces and with at least a $2 billion loss. Postmaster General John Potter dis­closed the anticipated volume loss at a USPS Board of Governors meeting September 24, and attributed it to the uncertain economic climate.

Credit card direct mail offerings dropped for the third consecutive quar­ter, and that trend is expected to con­tinue, considering the current financial crisis on Wall Street.

There's no better way to stand out in your customer's inbox than sending a dimensional mail piece, say experts. But is it worth the extra cost? Four industry pros weigh in.

FedEx is raising express shipping rates, effective January 5, 2009. FedEx Express package and freight rates will increase an average of 6.9% for US and US export services.

An industry expert shares three tips on how to boost your response quickly and cheaply.

Free shipping can add appeal to a retailer's overall offer; however, the incentive has become fairly common and more costly for retailers to deliver. Our experts offer different perspectives.

Fifteen do-not-mail bills have been introduced in state legislatures over the past year, according to the Direct Market­ing Association. Of those bills, four are still under review; however, few if any seem likely to be passed.

Mail preference service Catalog Choice is testing a new frequency option that would allow consumers to choose how many times per year they would like to receive a brand's catalog.

Despite an upheaval in the financial sector that sent tremors throughout the economy last week, the mood at the New England Mail Order Association's fall conference in Burlington, Vermont, was relatively upbeat and even looking ahead, with much of the focus on how to implement sustainability programs.

The US Postal Service has unveiled a new Web site design, featuring easier navigation for customers and a simplified layout. One aspect of the new layout was an attempt to provide easier links to the most used USPS services, such as online shipping, package pickup, shipping supplies, and printing shipping labels, said USPS spokesman Michael Woods.