• Home
  • Mail
  • News
  • Finance
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Search
  • Mobile
  • More
Yahoo
    • Skip to Navigation
    • Skip to Main Content
    • Skip to Related Content
    • Mail
    Advertisement

    Staples, USPS end program to set up mini-post offices in stores

    By Devika Krishna Kumar
    ,
    Reuters•July 14, 2014
    A family leaves the Staples store in Broomfield
    A family leaves the Staples store in Broomfield, Colorado August 17, 2011 as the back-to-school shopping season begins. REUTERS/Rick Wilking

    By Devika Krishna Kumar

    (Reuters) - Staples Inc SPLS.O said it will end a pilot program with the U.S. Postal Service to set up mini-post offices in the company's retail outlets, after several protests outside the stores.

    Postal workers have protested the program for months, objecting to expanding post office services to Staples stores, staffed with non-union workers.

    The news comes days after the American Postal Workers Union won the support of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) after it approved a resolution to boycott Staples.

    The AFT represents 1.6 million members in education and other fields, according to its website.

    The USPS and Staples agreed in October to allow Staples employees to sell postal packaging and accept mail that is later picked up from the stores by postal workers.

    The yearlong pilot program was launched in 82 Staples stores in California, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

    USPS spokeswoman Darleen Reid said, "The 82 store locations will be transitioned into the U.S. Postal Service's long-established Approved Shipper Program by Aug. 29."

    In the pilot program, Staples sold only USPS shipping services and products. However, in the approved shipper program, Staples, like other retailers, will offer some postal agency products alongside those of other shippers.

    "Staples will continue to explore and test products and services that meet our customers' needs," Carrie McElwee, a Staples spokeswoman said in an email.

    In March, Staples said it would close up to 225 stores in the United States and Canada - 12 percent of its North America outlets - as it loses customers to mass market chains and e-retailers.

    The Postal Service has also been plagued by financial troubles as more people pay their bills and communicate electronically instead of sending stamped mail, and as it struggles to pay into a health fund for its future retirees, as mandated by a 2006 law.

    (Reporting by Devika Krishna Kumar in Bangalore; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

    Our goal is to create a safe and engaging place for users to connect over interests and passions. In order to improve our community experience, we are temporarily suspending article commenting.

    What to Read Next

    • Some worried Democrats have 2nd thoughts on voting by mail

      Associated Press
    • No symptoms for 86% of lockdown COVID cases, UK study says

      Reuters
    • Cute Halloween Costumes For Dogs & Their Owners

      Refinery29
    • Despite 2020's Best Efforts, the Holidays Are Approaching

      PR Newswire
    • Navigating by mango trees, pink houses in rural Puerto Rico

      Associated Press
    • A McDonald’s worker paid for a mother’s meal after she forgot her purse, so she paid him back in a big way

      In The Know
    • Exclusive: FBI warned over summer that pandemic was reenergizing militia movement

      Yahoo News
    • Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. Announces Third Quarter 2020 Earnings Release Date and Investor Call

      Business Wire
    • 'We're at the table': Pelosi responds after Trump admits need for coronavirus stimulus

      Yahoo Money
    • Following backlash, Karen Pence's team says 'both sides agreed' spouses would remove masks

      USA TODAY Entertainment
    • 'Music is nourishment': Rapper and songwriter D Smoke and others talk about upcoming Roc Nation social justice album

      Yahoo Life
    • Medical workers speak out about dealing with 'frustrating' virus skeptics

      Yahoo News Video
    • Jazz Stock Returns To Buy Zone After Company Posts Positive Drug Trial Data

      Investor's Business Daily
    • PHOTOS: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — A look back

      Yahoo News Photo Staff
    • Stock market news live updates: Stocks rise despite worse than expected jobless claims

      Yahoo Finance
    • Cam Newton remains sidelined, urges COVID-19 safety: 'Wear your mask'

      Yahoo Sports
    • Justice Dept. Eases Pre-Election Constraints on Investigating Election Fraud

      The New York Times
    • Weeks after grand jury decision, the Breonna Taylor case is far from over

      Yahoo News
    • After arrests in kidnap plot, Whitmer criticizes Trump and suggests he encourages white supremacists

      Yahoo News Video
    • Biden says he would reveal his view on expanding Supreme Court post-election

      Reuters
    • Wisconsin is nation's new Covid-19 hot spot

      NBC News
    • Breastfeeding Salma Hayek Had to Model This Dirndl After Losing a Bet & the Photos Are Hilarious

      SheKnows
    • Pete Buttigieg Drops Firebomb On Trump And Pence In Fox News Interview

      HuffPost
    • Amy Coney Barrett served as 'handmaid' in religious group

      Yahoo News Video
    • Yahoo News Network
    • Help
    • Privacy (Updated)
    • Suggestions
    • About our Ads
    • Terms (Updated)
    • Sitemap