Workers at FedEx Corp. companies are preparing to handle about 8.5 million packages on their busiest day of the holiday season, about 400,000 more than last year's busiest day.
The packages expected to move through the FedEx Ground and FedEx Express networks Dec. 12 represent a 40 percent increase from the average daily volume of 6 million, according to FedEx, Memphis, TN. More than 250,000 employees and contractors, 674 planes and 70,000 vehicles will work to make holiday wishes come true.
“Improving trends in merchandise sales, business orders, the services sector and employment in the U.S. remain in place, and this bodes well for holiday sales,” FedEx economist Gene Huang said.
According to research firm eMarketer, online retail sales are expected to rise 22 percent in the final three months of 2005 to roughly $26 billion.
“With consumers spending more time online, e-commerce will likely drive more holiday activity this season than in the past,” Huang said.
Also, the site at www.fedex.com is expected to process a daily average of 3.5 million to 4 million online tracking requests during peak season.
Along with serving its business-to-business and business-to-consumer customers, FedEx will offer individuals access to its shipping networks through 50,000 retail locations nationwide. More than 1,300 FedEx Kinko's stores will offer a full range of FedEx Express and FedEx Ground shipping options as well as pack-and-ship services.
Consumers can ship by Dec. 16 for FedEx Ground to deliver gifts before Christmas. Packages also can be delivered before Christmas when shipped via FedEx Express by Dec. 22.
