International Postal News
Postal Service Delivers ‘Harry Potter’ to Eager Customers Worldwide
Information received through the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) corporate communications unit indicates that the harmony between the global postal service and ‘e-shoppers’ is at an all time high. With millions of copies of the seventh and final ‘Harry Potter’ novel released for sale on July 21, 2007, those who placed their order by mail, phone or Internet and were eagerly looking out for their postman to deliver this much-anticipated book were not disappointed.

PARCEL BUSINESS GROWTH
The postal sector is emerging as the mail communications partner of choice for e-commerce, with most articles ordered via the Internet being shipped by post. The global postal service’s role as the primary shipper selected by e-commerce buyers has created a surge in parcel post statistics. UPU data shows a clear trend in parcel business growth attributable to e-commerce. Between 2004 and 2005, the global volume of ordinary parcels rose by 11%.

Philatelists: the ‘Harry Potter’ book series will long be remembered, as in March, June and July respectively, the French, Australian and British Posts issued postage stamps of the ‘boy magician’, perhaps as a ‘thank you’ for generating a fillip in business growth in those countries.

UPU website: www.upu.int

Note: The UPU (Universal Postal Union), a branch of the United Nations (UN), is dedicated to facilitating arrangements between countries for the unrestricted flow of mail throughout the world.