How much do your volumes increase over the holidays?
The holidays are traditionally the busiest time of the year. FedEx expects to move more than 50 million packages through the global FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight networks during the week of Dec. 14, 2009, its projected busiest week of the year.
FedEx expects to process over 13 million shipments on Dec. 14 alone, its busiest day of the year. Last year, FedEx shipped over 12 million packages on its busiest day of Dec. 15, 2008. On an average day, more than 7.5 million packages move through the FedEx systems daily.
Is FedEx adding additional staff to prepare for the holiday season?
FedEx team members world-wide are set to deliver the holidays this peak season for our customers.
- Traditionally, part-time and full-time FedEx Express employees are given the opportunity to work additional hours as needed during the holiday season.
- FedEx Ground facilities will add 14,000 part time and temporary workers during November and December as needed.
- FedEx Office manages its staffing throughout the year and will adjust its current staff through scheduling to meet customer demand.
- FedEx Freight utilizes a flexible workforce to meet changing business levels throughout the year.
How does FedEx Operations prepare for the holidays?
More than 275,000 FedEx team members are busy gearing up for the holiday season. This year, between Thanksgiving and Christmas:
- 660 FedEx aircraft will move shipments among 220 countries and territories.
- More than 80,000 FedEx vehicles will travel throughout the world.
- More than 1,900 FedEx Office locations around the world will provide convenient access to time-definite FedEx Express and day-definite FedEx Ground shipping services, along with complete pack-and-ship services.
- Employees at FedEx hubs worldwide will help ensure that packages reach their destinations on time.
- Traditionally, part-time and full-time FedEx Express employees are given the opportunity to work additional hours as needed during the holiday season.
- FedEx Ground facilities will add 14,000 part time and temporary workers during November and December as needed.
How is FedEx affected by winter weather?
All FedEx operating companies are known for their exceptional planning and the extraordinary lengths to which they will go to serve their customers. For example:
- At FedEx Express, the Global Operations Control Center manages the FedEx Express air and ground fleets worldwide and can make routing and operational changes within minutes. The company also employs a staff of 15 meteorologists who can accurately predict weather changes.
- At FedEx Ground, Web-based software is used to monitor weather conditions and road closings. With this information at hand, the FedEx Ground team can make quick decisions about changing the routes of trucks and trailers when and where necessary.
Is FedEx Express increasing its flight schedule to prepare for the holiday season this year?
FedEx Express routinely adjusts its flight schedules to accommodate fluctuations in package volumes. We take advantage of the flexibility of our express network in re-routing flights, using flights during the day and other measures to accommodate increased volumes during the holidays. In fact, all FedEx companies are known for their exceptional planning and the extraordinary lengths to which they will go to serve their customers.
Does FedEx offer tips on how customers can save money and time this holiday season?
FedEx offers many ways for customers to save money this holiday season.
- Visit a FedEx Office location and ship with FedEx Ground for 10 percent less than UPS Ground.*
- pply to save up to 16 percent on eligible FedEx Express services and eight percent on eligible FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery services when using FedEx Ship Manager® at fedex.com or FedEx Ship Manager Software. Visit http://www.fedex.com/us/oadr/en/discounts/index.html for more information.
- Ship by Dec.17, 2009 and use FedEx Ground and Home Delivery Services for the most cost-effective delivery. FedEx Home Delivery service connects every residential address in the U.S. via our residential-only delivery network while offering Date Certain, Evening and Appointment deliveries to make shipping more convenient for your recipient.
- Drop FedEx Express shipments off at one of more than 53,000 FedEx dropoff locations to avoid added surcharges.
- Procrastinating? FedEx Express has several cost-effective shipping options when holiday deadlines are drawing near. Research the many options available via FedEx Express for the most economical shipping options such as FedEx Express Saver® and FedEx 2Day® services.
- Packaging is important. Pack your shipment properly to minimize the size and weight of the package and reduce shipping costs. The professionals at FedEx Office can pack and ship your holiday package for you at more than 1,800 FedEx Office locations nationwide. Packaging tips are also available at fedex.com/packaging.
- Visit fedex.com to view potential savings with companies such as American Express, Google Checkout, Hertz, Amazon Services, Grasshopper, Pitney Bowes, QuickBooks, Network Solutions, Alibaba, USAA and stamps.com. Examples follow:
- FedEx and Amazon have teamed up to bring customers a special offer to waive the first five months of subscription fees (a value to $199.95) when signing up for the Selling on Amazon program through FedEx.com. In addition, Selling on Amazon merchants are eligible for special savings on several FedEx services for the five month period.
- Customers who use their American Express OPEN Business Card will automatically receive a five percent discount on select FedEx Express and FedEx Ground shipments and select products and services at FedEx Office Print & Ship Centers. No enrollment is required. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit fedex.com/opensavings for more information.
- FedEx customers can now open up a free Alibaba.com storefront and begin selling their product to the world. Customers can also get free service from Alibaba.com’s B2B conciege service Transfer Express, taking the effort out of displaying new products online. For more information, visit http://www.fedex.com/alibaba.
- FedEx knows time is money and also offers several ways for customers save time this holiday season.
- Ship early and avoid lines. Customers have until December 17, 2009 to find and send their holiday gift via FedEx Ground. Last-minute shoppers have until December 23, 2009 to ship FedEx Express and have their package arrive in time for the Christmas holiday.
- Ship with FedEx Ground, which is faster to more locations than UPS Ground. See how fast at fedex.com/faster.
- If you need it there on Saturday, FedEx Home Delivery provides the advantage of Saturday as a standard delivery day. Most packages scheduled for Monday delivery by UPS would have been delivered two days earlier on Saturday by FedEx Home Delivery.**
- Utilize the time-saving convenience of the FedEx retail network. On their own schedule, customers can conveniently access more than 44,000 FedEx drop boxes (including almost 5,000 at U.S. Postal Service locations), 1,900 FedEx Office locations, more than 700 FedEx World Service Centers and more than 6,500 FedEx Authorized ShipCenters®. To find the nearest locations, visit http://www.fedex.com/dropoff.
- Avoid the time and hassle of shopping for shipping supplies and packing up holiday gifts – let the professionals at FedEx Office pack and ship your items. Team members are specially trained to help ensure that holiday packages arrive safe and sound. FedEx Office also offers an array of do-it-yourself shipping supplies so you can get it all done in one stop.
- Customize holiday cards and stationery or create a personalized 2010 calendar in just minutes with FedEx Office. Customers can do so quickly and conveniently in-store or online.
- Use FedEx OfficeSM Print Online to conveniently print documents – from holiday newsletters to seasonal marketing materials – at a center of your choice or have them delivered.
- Save time on fedex.com. Customers save time with FedEx’s industry-leading online services for their global and domestic shipments by using FedEx Web-based resources for visibility, planning and efficiency.
- Fedex Ship Manager at fedex.com
- FedEx tracking options, including FedEx InSight
- FedEx Global Trade Manager
- FedEx Returns Portfolio
What is the last date customers can ship packages for delivery before Christmas?
FedEx Express will accept packages up until Wednesday, December 23 for delivery before Christmas.
Customers shipping packages in the continental U.S. will have until Thursday, December 17 to ship via FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery for guaranteed delivery before Christmas.
Customers should go to http://www.fedex.com/us/holiday/ for assistance with their holiday shipping needs.
What shipping tips does FedEx offer customers?
Proper packaging can make all the difference in getting your important gifts and holiday items to their destination. FedEx customers should keep the following tips in mind when shipping this holiday:
Ship early and avoid the lines
• Customers have until December 17 to find and send that perfect holiday gift via FedEx Ground. For last-minute shoppers, you have until December 23 to ship FedEx Express
• Customers can log onto fedex.com to determine shipping options, including rates and transit times to ensure that gifts are shipped in time to arrive for the holidays.
• You can print directly from your PC to our nearest FedEx Office location. This way you’ll save the trip of ordering copies of your holiday flyers, invitations, custom greeting cards or other documents in person during this busy season.
Choose the right supplies
• Use sturdy boxes with flaps intact. For heavier items, use double-wall boxes. Don’t exceed the weight specifications for your box.
• Do not reuse boxes if at all possible. If reusing a box, make sure there are no holes, tears or corner dents, and remove any old labels. Consider placing the box within another box for additional protection.
• Make sure your box is large enough to put adequate padding around contents. Position your item in the center of the box and surround by cushioning such as bubble wrap, foam “peanuts,” densely packed shredded paper or foam pads. Use enough packing material – ideally one inch on all sides – so the item does not shift during transit.
• Use tape designed for packing, not duct or masking tape. Do not wrap the outer box with paper or string, which can get caught in automated processing equipment.
• FedEx Office offers a variety of the most popular packing supplies, including free FedEx shipping supplies for FedEx Express shipments. We also offer boxes, tape, bubble wrap and other essentials for purchase.
Use smart labeling
• Position the address label squarely on the largest surface, and provide complete sender and recipient addresses, including phone numbers and ZIP codes.
• Put the recipient’s address and your return address inside the box as well.
Call in the experts
• FedEx Office has shipping specialists trained in packing and shipping best practices.
• The more than 1,800 FedEx Office and Print Centers across the U.S. offer a full range of FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery shipping options – with 24/7 service in many locations for the next scheduled pick up.
Setup shipments online
• FedEx Ship Manager at fedex.com was the industry’s first Internet-based shipping options. To use, customers simply click the “Prepare Shipment Online” option under the “Ship” tab on the fedex.com U.S. home page, register as a user and follow the easy-to-use instructions. No extra software is required.
Track it
• Tracking a package with FedEx is easy and convenient. On average, more than 5.5 million package-tracking requests a day are handled on fedex.com daily.
• Customers can go to the FedEx U.S. homepage, click on the tracking option at and supply the tracking numbers for up to 30 FedEx Express and/or FedEx Ground packages. FedEx will then supply real-time information about the delivery status and location of any package in our delivery network. Customers also can get a package status by calling 1.800.Go.FedEx (1.800.463.3339).
Does FedEx offer any tips to help customer ship greener?
- Package your shipment properly to minimize the weight and the cost of shipping. Use the smallest box possible – the less your package weighs, the fewer resources will be used and you’ll save money.
- Reuse your packing materials. Use shredded paper, packing peanuts, bubble wrap and used wrapping paper.
- Purchase boxes made from recycled materials. Most FedEx envelopes are made from 100% recycled content. All FedEx boxes are recyclable. If you are recycling a box, make sure there are no holes, tears or corner dents and remove any old labels.
- Save a truck stop. While you’re running other errands, drop off your FedEx Express shipments at one of more than 53,000 FedEx drop off locations to avoid added surcharges as well. FedEx Ground packages can be dropped at more than 1,800 FedEx Office locations nationwide.
How do I arrange for a tour of a FedEx hub or station or schedule a ride along with a FedEx courier?
To schedule an interview, FedEx facility visit or ride along, please visit the FedEx Newsroom at http://news.fedex.com or email mediarelations@fedex.com.
How do I find out more information about specific products and services FedEx offers?
For questions regarding shipping options and FedEx products and services this holiday season and beyond, please visit http://www.fedex.com/us/holiday/ for more information.
* Disclaimer: Percentage based on comparison of 2009 FedEx Ground retail counter rates and published UPS Ground retail rates.
** Saturday and premium services are not available for FedEx Home Delivery Out of Service Area ZIP codes; in those areas, FedEx Ground completes the delivery.