Jay's Parcel Notes: Feb 5 - Feb 19

I’m Jay Kent, managing director of SLB Performance, a consulting firm that helps companies reduce supply chain costs, implement BI tools, and improve in-stock and customer service. After 25 years of leading some of the most complex supply chains in the industry, I began advising companies in multiple industries and verticals. It’s important to understand the market to mitigate costs and improve efficiencies. So, twice a month, I’ll share parcel news and thoughts. Be sure to hit the subscribe button to receive the latest newsletter in your LinkedIn notifications.

I'm at RILA's LINK: The Retail Supply Chain Conference this week. If you are also attending, drop me a line and let's meet up!rence this week. If you are also attending, drop me a line and let's meet up!

RILA's annual conference never disappoints. It's been great catching up with people and attending fascinating sessions. It's also been nice hearing from so many people that read this newsletter on a regular basis! Thank you so much. ??

So, on to the news....

• Government Executive - Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has requested the USPS board begin its process to find a successor. “The major initiatives we are currently endeavoring are multi-year programs and it is important to have leadership in place whose tenure will span this future period,” DeJoy said. “After four and half years leading one of America’s greatest public institutions through dramatic change during unusual times, it is time for me to start thinking about the next phase of my life, while also ensuring that the Postal Service is fully prepared for the future.”
• Sourcing Journal - In 2023, Target's supply chain head, Gretchen McCarthy realized that Target’s logistics operation would benefit from the data customers were accessing when search for products within the Target mobile app. Two years later, better use of this data combined with more than $100 million invested into the retailer's sortation centers has helped Target's same- and next-day delivery expansions take off.

"We have talked about the power of having 75%of Americans live within 10 miles of a Target store, but what we hadn't done was really connect the end-to-end ecosystem and value stream, starting from our stores all the way through our Target last-mile delivery. We weren't able to promise a delivery that was as fast as it is, given where our stores are located, but the teams took that on," said Gretchen McCarthy.

• According to FedEx 2025 E-Commerce Trends to Watch Report, more than 80% of shoppers surveyed prioritize convenience, expecting home delivery (81%), free shipping (76%), and real-time tracking (68%).
• FedEx is closing a number of facilities across the US as part of its network realignment including three in Illinois - a shipping station in Urbana along with facilities in Springfield and Effingham.
• UPS is also closing a number of facilities for similar reasons as FedEx. Among the latest closings - UPS is temporarily laying off 138 part-time workers at a Minneapolis facility beginning in April. UPS informed the Minnesota Department of Employment and Development that the staff reduction was due to “changes in our network.”

That’s it for now. Stay tuned for the next newsletter on March 5. Don't forget to hit the subscribe button to ensure you receive it in your LinkedIn notices. In addition, if you like what you're reading, sign up to receive additional insights and analysis via emails twice a month - DM me for more info.

Most important though, reach out if you'd like to learn how to lower or even possibly eliminate any parcel fees. ??

-Jay