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SAN DIEGO, April 6, 2004 - One year after launching a historic re-branding campaign, The UPS Store network has generated triple-digit growth in UPS shipping volume and added more than 300 new stores for a total of 3,300 locations.
This achievement has led franchisor Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. and its parent company, UPS (NYSE:UPS), to set a goal of expanding The UPS Store network to 5,000 locations in the United States by 2007, including innovative concepts in under-served areas such as urban neighborhoods, Free Enterprise Zones, college campuses and military bases.
"The success of this launch not only underscores the power of the UPS brand, but also validates customers’ appreciation for the convenience and value offered by The UPS Store," said Kurt Kuehn, senior vice president of UPS worldwide sales and marketing.
One year ago, the UPS brand was extended from the company’s delivery vehicles and aircraft to America’s storefronts when approximately 90 percent of MBE centers in the U.S. elected to convert to The UPS Store name. The event marked one of the largest franchise re-brandings in history and the use of the UPS brand has proven dramatic in its results:
- Overall UPS shipping volume has more than doubled, including a nearly 75 percent increase during the peak holiday shipping period.
- New store openings doubled over the previous year, to more than 300.
- Multiple-store ownership has increased by 67 percent in the past year.
- Interest from entrepreneurs in buying a franchise has nearly doubled.
"The first-year results of The UPS Store have been phenomenal, but that’s just the start. We will continue to enhance the business through innovative programs intended to expand opportunities for our franchisees and provide additional services our growing customer base requires," said Stuart Mathis, president of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc.
In addition to serving consumers and small businesses, The UPS Store network is now meeting the needs of large corporate customers as well through UPS’s Corporate Retail Solutions team. This group is providing UPS customers, such as catalogers, retailers and manufacturers with unique programs to meet their needs such as convenient product returns and repairs through The UPS Store network.
Additionally, The UPS Store continues to expand its business services to serve the needs of small businesses and mobile professionals. For example, thousands of The UPS Store locations are being equipped with Wi-Fi “hot spot” technology to provide customers with wireless Internet connectivity when they’re away from home or office.
The UPS Store centers are franchised by Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. (MBE), a UPS company. The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations together comprise the world’s largest franchise network of retail shipping, postal and business service centers with more than 4,800 locations around the world. In the United States, The UPS Store locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. For additional information, please visit www.theupsstore.com or www.mbe.com .
UPS is the world’s largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain services, offering an extensive range of options for synchronizing the movement of goods, information and funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. UPS's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (UPS) and the company can be found on the Web at UPS.com.
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Except for historical information contained herein, the statements made in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of UPS and its management regarding the company's strategic directions, prospects and future results, involve certain risks and uncertainties. Certain factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including economic and other conditions in the markets in which we operate, governmental regulations, our competitive environment, strikes, work stoppages and slowdowns, increases in aviation and motor fuel prices, cyclical and seasonal fluctuations in our operating results, and other risks discussed in the company's Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which discussions are incorporated herein by reference.
For more information, contact:
- Rich Hallabrin, The UPS Store
(858) 623-1718
rhallabrin@mbe.com
- Steve Holmes, UPS
(404) 828-7391
sholmes@ups.com
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