If you are going to San Francisco, USPS has flowers in the air – or at least it will deliver themand other gifts on the same day.
The US Postal Service yesterday launched a one-year test of same-day deliveries in the WestCoast metropolis with its new ‘Metro Post’ service, and unveiled 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, a leadingflorist and gift shop, as its strategic partner for the trial.
“Metro Post is a premium delivery service that will revolutionise the shipping industry,”said Gary Reblin, USPS vice president, Domestic Products. “Building relationships with prominentretailers like 1-800-FLOWERS.COM will help us leverage our capabilities by making same day deliverya standard option on retail websites.”
Metro Post is designed to improve the experience of customers shopping on e-commerce sites byoffering same day delivery in a metro area, USPS explained. The market test in San Francisco isexpected to run for one year.
Metro Post will be available for purchases involving four of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM’s gourmet giftbrands, including popcorn and specialty treats from The Popcorn Factory; cookies and bakedgifts from Cheryl’s; premium chocolates and confections from Fannie May fine chocolates; and giftbaskets and towers from 1-800-Baskets.com.
Consumers can utilise the Metro Post premium service online or in-person at a retail storethat carries the company’s branded gift items. The daily cut-off time for purchases delivered byMetro Post is 2:00 p.m. with deliveries to occur between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
“At 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, we’re all about helping our customers deliver smiles,” said ChrisMcCann, President, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM. “We’ve been doing it with same-day floral deliveries for morethan 35 years and now with the Postal Service’s Metro Post service, we’re very excited to be ableto expand our same-day gift offerings to include some of our great gourmet food brands.”
Reblin added, “The Postal Service is committed to building and driving strategicrelationships to improve our customers’ experience. USPS will work with multiple retailers thathave both an online presence and physical ‘brick and mortar’ stores or warehouses within a givenmetro area.”
