USPS has expanded customer access to its products and services with nearly 100,000 locations tobuy stamps, ship a package or renew a passport.
In addition to traditional post offices, postal products can now be purchased online and atretail outlets, grocery stores, office supply chains and pharmacies, the US postal operatorsaid.
Responding to changing customer needs and a business plan that calls for expanding access toPostal Service products, stores including Costco, Office Depot, grocery and drug stores, amongothers, are now offering shipping and mailing services. Nearly 35% of the Postal Service retailrevenue comes from expanded access to such locations.
There are about 32,000 post office locations across the USA that sell USPS products andservices. There are more than 50,000 other locations selling postage stamps alone which is the topproduct sold at Post Offices. With the additional shipping provider locations, customers thus haveaccess to about 100,000 locations, USPS added.
Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe, confirmed this trend: “We’re teaming up with hundreds ofnew stores so customers can do postal business at places where they already shop. Americans havemore to do and less time to do it. We know simpler is better – online, on your mobile device, onyour way, with an expertise that you can count on.”
Customers can find various locations close to where they live to purchase postal services byvisiting an interactive map at www.uspseverywhere.com and typing in a ZIP Code. Usinga simple icon guide designating stamps, shipping and packaging, PO Boxes and other services, theycan easily navigate to retail outlets, grocery stores, Automated Postal Centre (APC) kiosks andPost Offices, among other options.
At the alternative sites, customers can send a Priority Mail Flat Rate Box and buy Foreverstamps often as late as 9 p.m. compared to the traditional post offices closing by 5 p.m. orearlier. Some sites are even open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“We’re creating easier, more convenient access to products and services when and where ourcustomers want them,” Donahoe said.
