FedEx Corp. on Monday, Oct. 24, said it expects to move more than 17 million shipments – almost double its daily average volume – through its global networks on Dec. 12, the projected busiest day in company history. The 10 percent year-over-year increase will be driven by FedEx SmartPost, a residential shipping service designed for online and catalog retailers, as well as expected increased volume at FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery.
Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, FedEx forecasts more than 260 million shipments to move through its worldwide shipping networks, a 12 percent increase for the holiday season over last year when 232 million shipments were processed.
“As e-commerce continues to grow and demand increases with more customers shopping and conducting their business online, FedEx SmartPost is poised to handle the increase in shipments,” said Frederick Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer of FedEx Corp. “More than 290,000 FedEx team members also stand ready to deliver the holidays and enable commerce around the globe.”
Retail inventory such as apparel, personal consumer electronics and luxury goods, as well as books and other items from large Internet retailers, will account for a large portion of FedEx holiday volumes. The company says it will increase its work force by about 20,000 with seasonal positions to help handle the surge in holiday shipments at FedEx Ground, FedEx Home Delivery and FedEx SmartPost.
