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-Short Attention Span Theater-
U.S. Postal Service to Launch Fashion Line
2013-02-21
[An Nahar] The U.S. Postal Service is looking to fashion as it struggles financially.

The agency, which prides itself on delivering almost 40 percent of the world's mail, announced it plans to launch a clothing and accessories line and has signed a licensing deal with apparel company Wahconah Group, Inc.

"This agreement will put the Postal Service on the cutting edge of functional fashion," corporate licensing manager Steven Mills said in a statement Tuesday.

"The main focus will be to produce Rain Heat & Snow apparel and accessories using technology to create 'smart apparel' -- also known as wearable electronics."

USPS tripled its losses in 2012, losing $15.9 billion as the state-owned enterprise faces tough competition and what it calls onerous and unfair retirement funding requirements.

It has also said it will stop delivering mail on Saturdays to save money.

Wahconah, based in the U.S. state of Ohio, is setting up a showroom in New York City's garment district to showcase its creations to the fashion industry, USPS said.

The products -- to eventually be sold in "premier department and specialty stores" -- will at first be available only for men but a women's line is planned down the road.
Posted by:Fred

#22  A very useful perspective, Capsu78. Thank you.
Posted by: trailing wife   2013-02-21 23:02  

#21  OK campers, let me fess up that while I have never worked for the USPS, I have spent 30 years in the "business mail industry". I have spent a lot of time looking at the business of mail.
The USPS fiscal problems have to do a lot with governmental oversite, from the calculation for pension thresholds to a government mandated service level. Yet they are the finest cheapest "postal service" in the world.
"Every address, every day" down to the last igloo on the Alaskan isles, last shack up the Bayou, most gun infested street in Chicago.... six days a week.
If anyone thinks UPS and Fed Ex are going to run the full route, you are mistaken. Fed Ex and UPS RELY on the USPS to deliver tons of deliveries every day to whats know as "the last mile"
If the USPS were cut free to make business decisions based upon todays logistical and business realities, a first class letter could deliver at a profit for .40. Also lots of "not for profit" discounts are used to fundraise for organizations that handle a lot of cash.
Posted by: Capsu78   2013-02-21 21:14  

#20  UPS and Fed Express don't do junk mail.
UPS and Fed Express don't have cute stamps.

What is it about "CORE" biz that the U S Post Office doesn't understand?

If junk mail was profitable the private companies would offer it.

If cute stamps were profitable...

How many shoppers are going to wait in line for an hour to buy a designer dress?
Posted by: Water Modem   2013-02-21 18:27  

#19  We finally really did it.
You Maniacs! You weaponized Spongebob! Damn You!


What y'all need is the USPS "Trendy Mail" line of socks. If they go missing, they are at the Kansas City hub.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2013-02-21 18:02  

#18  Try this line
Posted by: European Conservative   2013-02-21 17:52  

#17  The above proves, beyond any doubt, that America has succeeded in the cultural imperialism that was our first step in conquering the world.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Posted by: trailing wife   2013-02-21 17:52  

#16  Red Army does Sponge Bob:
Posted by: trailing wife   2013-02-21 17:47  

#15  I always fear too look behind the dryer. I have this awful feeling that I put in socks and next week I get uncertain kittens is or is not coincidental.
Posted by: Shipman   2013-02-21 17:44  

#14  Haven't tried the feetie wraps, but those Red Army Sponge Bob Underoos look pretty nifty.
Posted by: SteveS   2013-02-21 17:38  

#13  Check behind the dryer. That's where mine hide.
Posted by: Muggsy Mussolini1226   2013-02-21 17:22  

#12  I had socks once, but they went away. Now I make do with Red Army Surplus feetie wraps.

Posted by: Shipman   2013-02-21 17:03  

#11  So.. will they job out actual mail delivery to one of the commercial mail companies?
Posted by: Water Modem   2013-02-21 15:52  

#10  Finally, a line of socks which you expect to get lost.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2013-02-21 15:22  

#9  Don't order your shorts to be delivered on a Saturday.
Posted by: Fred   2013-02-21 13:22  

#8  

Reminds me of the old Wendys commercial about Socialism.
Posted by: Dino Shomomp7692   2013-02-21 10:04  

#7  NEWMAN
Posted by: Beavis   2013-02-21 09:38  

#6  The lines were already long enough, now we have to wait for the guy in front of me to try clothes in the dressing room?
Posted by: Dino Shomomp7692   2013-02-21 09:29  

#5  Let me just cut to the damn chase here:

USPS tripled its losses in 2012, losing $15.9 billion as the state-owned enterprise faces tough competition and what it calls onerous and unfair retirement funding requirements.


$49 dollars in shoe money ain't gonna help.
Posted by: Shipman   2013-02-21 07:14  

#4  I want some of those shorts.
Posted by: Skidmark   2013-02-21 01:51  

#3  Next they will do what Australia Post has done is fill offices with all kinds of retail stuff, from kids toys to cooking books to electronics. None of which I have ever seen them sell.
Posted by: phil_b   2013-02-21 01:08  

#2  So a troubled business focuses on it's core competencies - not delivering the mail, men's fashion, and wearable electronics. I'd love to meet the genius that thought this was a good idea.
Posted by: SteveS   2013-02-21 00:20  

#1  Iff you're wondering why Mom said she "bought it from the POst Office", WELL WONDER NO MORE!
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2013-02-21 00:19  

00:00