Shipping and delivery are services that keep American households and small businesses up and running. When there is a disruption in the delivery process, life and business operations are interrupted, leaving people stressed and scrambling to deal with the delays. Nowhere has this been more clearly seen than during the recent shipping delays during and after the 2020 holiday season.
How USPS Delays Are Affecting Communities Across the United States
Online holiday shopping, mail-in voting, cost-cutting measures, and sick employees have created the perfect storm for the United States Postal Service. According to a study conducted by Narvar, a customer experience platform, 36% of consumers or more than three in ten people have faced significant delivery delays due to the impact of COVID-19.
Concerns about exposure to COVID-19 led many people to shop online for Christmas presents and holiday decor. Indeed, Forbes correctly predicted that the “huge growth of online shopping and deliveries will likely put additional strain on the logistics and delivery systems that are already reeling from COVID-19. Many consumers have come to expect shipping delays over the last six months, but they could become even worse during the last few months of the year.”
Delivery delays are also affecting communities across North Carolina, including the small business community. A local news station reports some small business owners “have had to ship items that didn't get to customers via other courier services. Some others said they are at the mercy of their customers' patience. ‘For one, you hate having to defend yourself to where it doesn't seem like you're making excuses as to why you can't complete a job,’ Diane Williams from Greensboro said. Williams said she's not able to do business because of package delays.”
How UPS and The UPS Store Are Striving to Provide Delay-Free Shipping and Delivery
Dependable shipping and delivery are core services for the local community and local small businesses. UPS strives to ensure that people can depend on the company for an efficient and smooth shipping process at a time when other parcel delivery companies are struggling to adapt to the challenges posed by COVID-19.
As a hub for small business services, from shipping to printing to mailbox services, The UPS Store is dedicated to supporting small business owners during these difficult and uncertain times. Local UPS Stores complement UPS’s delivery services by providing a wide range of shipping and packing services, as well as expert advice in the areas of packing, printing, graphic design, and other business services.
One of the ways that UPS prepared for the increased package volume of the holiday season was by announcing a hiring initiative in early September 2020. The goal was to hire over a hundred thousand new employees in order to fulfill the need for timely package delivery. In addition, many of these seasonal jobs were expected to become permanent roles — valuable employment opportunities during a time when many have been affected by layoffs, budget cuts, and furloughs.
According to UPS, “The full- and part-time seasonal positions – primarily package handlers, drivers, and driver-helpers – have long been an entry point for permanent employment at UPS. Over the last three years, about 35% of people hired by UPS for seasonal package handler jobs were later hired in a permanent position when the holidays were over, and about 123,000 UPS employees – nearly a third of the company’s U.S. workforce – started in seasonal positions.”
The UPS Store has also risen to the challenges meted out by the pandemic. In fact, The UPS Store’s efforts earned the franchise a top spot on the 2021 Franchise 500 Ranking by Entrepreneur. Coming in at number three in the ranking, The UPS Store’s preparedness and ability to adapt helped it ascend to its spot on the list.
How The UPS Store in Fayetteville, NC, Is Serving the Local Community
Whatever needs customers or small business owners may have, The UPS Store at Westwood Shopping Center is committed to providing services in a safe, efficient manner. The store’s offerings include:
- Printing Services
- Print Products
- Mailbox Services
- Small Business Services
- Packing Services
- Shipping Services
- Mailing Services
- Freight
- Office Products and Supplies
- Notary Services
- Shredding
To learn more about Fayetteville, NC, shipping services, printing services, and mailbox services, call The UPS Store at Westwood Shopping Center by phone at (910) 860-1220. The store can also be reached by email at store2974@theupsstore.com.
