North Shore Gains Sunday Delivery

From United States Postal Service

The Postal Service kicked off the holiday shipping season today by announcing it will be delivering packages seven days a week through Christmas Day throughout Chicago and the metro Chicago area, due to continued double-digit package volume growth.

“The Postal Service ships more packages to more places than anyone else,” said Central Illinois District Manager Peter Allen. “During the holidays, we’re raising the bar with enhanced tracking and Sunday delivery, providing excellent service and reliability that only Santa can compete with.”

Sunday package delivery continues the Postal Service’s commitment to provide its customers superior service, as the nation’s mail carrier continues to respond to the increase in package business stemming from the growth in e-commerce.

“Every household in America relies on us to get their packages in home for the holidays and we take great pride in taking on that responsibility,” said Allen. “We’re prepared to do whatever it takes to deliver for our customers.”

Due to continued e-commerce growth and improvements to its Priority Mail product line, the Postal Service is expecting double-digit growth in its package business this holiday season, likely in the range of 450 to 470 million packages. That equates to roughly 12 to 14 percent growth over the same period last year.

“This is truly our season at the Postal Service, it is crunch time,” said Allen. “We have stepped up our game to ensure America that USPS can be counted on to deliver their cards, gifts and letters in time for the holidays.”

For expected delivery of holiday mail and packages by Christmas, the Postal Service recommends keeping the following mailing and shipping deadlines in mind:

• Dec. 2 – First-Class Mail International/Priority Mail International

• Dec. 10 – Priority Mail Express International

• Dec. 15 – Standard Post

• Dec. 17 – Global Express Guaranteed1

• Dec. 20 – First-Class Mail/Priority Mail (domestic)

• Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express (domestic)

Consumers can avoid holiday hassles by visiting usps.com — the Postal Service’s website that will help make mailing and shipping easier.

Nearly 75 million customers will skip the trip to the Post Office altogether and take advantage of convenient online shipping this holiday season. Click-N-Ship and other online services allow customers to print shipping labels, order free Priority Mail boxes, purchase postage and even request free next-day package pickup.