Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. (MBE), a United Parcel Service company, franchises The UPS Store® and Mail Boxes Etc.® retail shops. The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations together comprise the world’s largest franchise network of retail shipping, postal and business service centers with more than 5,700 locations in more than 75 countries. In the United States, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. Outside the United States, locations are owned and operated by MBE master licensees or their franchisees. United Parcel Service Inc. ... Drawing of a self-service store. ...

Services

• Packaging service
  • large/irregular items, crating, electronics, antiques, high-value
• Shipping
  • UPS, USPS, (In Canada, DHL, Canpar, TNT, Fastway, and other freight and parcel companies)
• Document service
  • black/white copies, color copies, digital printing, brochures, postcards, binding, laminating and finishing
• Private mailbox service (many locations with 24-hour access)
• Moving supplies
• Faxing
  • sending & receiving
• Notary service
• Live Scan and ink fingerprinting
• Passport/ID photos
• Office & mailing supplies

A USPS Truck at Night A U.S. Post Office sign The United States Postal Service (USPS) is the United States government organization responsible for providing postal service in the United States and is generally referred to as the post office. ...

History

The Mail Boxes Etc. concept was introduced in 1980 as a convenient alternative to the post office. Throughout its evolution, it has continued to define and lead the business services category it created. In 2001, UPS acquired Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. In 2003, the two companies introduced The UPS Store opportunity offering the U.S. network the choice to re-brand, and also set lower maximum retail prices for UPS shipping services. On April 7, 2003, approximately 3,000 Mail Boxes Etc. locations in the United States (at the time, nearly 90% of the domestic U.S. network) re-branded as The UPS Store and began offering lower (around 20% on average) UPS-direct shipping rates. The stores remain locally owned and operated, and continue to offer the same variety of postal and business services. In 2006, The UPS Store teamed with Toys for Tots and held a coloring contest to design Dale Jarrett's NASCAR racecar. Annabelle Huffman won the grand prize, and her design was featured on Jarrett's car at a race. The contest was held again in 2007, with Vincent Giacalone winning the grand prize. An early official promotional photo from the Toys for Tots program Motorcyclists fill eastbound I-76 for the 2002 Toys for Tots parade to benefit patients at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia InPhonics CEO and CFO present the results of the companys Toys for Tots drive at InPhonic... Dale Arnold Jarrett (born November 26, 1956 in Newton, North Carolina) is an American race car driver. ...

Growth

In the year following the re-branding, Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. sold more than 500 new The UPS Store locations in the United States – a record for the company, and phenomenal growth for a quarter-century-old franchise. Special-venue site development also has grown steadily with locations on college campuses, military bases, in convention centers, hotels, and urban renewal areas/empowerment zones. Special-venue sites create an opportunity to provide services to consumers, regardless of where they live, work or travel.

As franchisees hung up UPS Store signs, many of them found that more packages were coming in. But then the new owners made some dramatic changes. First, UPS restricted the maximum price stores could charge. Also, prices were set nationwide, with no allowance for differences in overhead costs. Finally, UPS encouraged individuals and small businesses to set up Internet accounts, where they could produce labels for their packages themselves.

From 2002 to 2005, a total of 1,936 stores either were transferred to new franchisees or had their franchises canceled, terminated or not renewed. Last year there were 513 such changes, representing 11.7% of the retail outlets then open.

Ownership and management

Since UPS went public in 2000, many franchise locations have been established around the continental USA. Franchise owners have been attracted to the UPS Store business because of the low overhead and high profit margin.

Industry recognition

In 2007, Entrepreneur magazine’s annual "Franchise 500," a ranking of franchise opportunities based on factors such as financial strength, growth rate and size, rated The UPS Store #5 among all franchise opportunities and #1 in the postal and business services category for the 17th consecutive year. Additionally, the company has a rich tradition of award-winning marketing and public relations campaigns, among other accolades.

International

In addition to its domestic network, Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. has expanded globally through master license agreements, with locations in more than 40 countries. Historically, the services provided by The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations have been adaptable to the needs and market conditions of various countries and cultures around the world. In 2004, the company crossed the threshold of 5,000 locations worldwide. Throughout the company’s historic growth, one thing has remained constant: the commitment of its franchisees to providing personalized and convenient business solutions and a world-class customer experience.

On October 5, 2005 Mail Boxes Etc. announced the debut of The UPS Store concept in India and the conversion of 265 Mail Boxes Etc. locations in Canada to The UPS Store brand. All other international locations continue to operate under the Mail Boxes Etc. brand.

Canada

Canada is the first country outside the United States to adopt The UPS Store name, with 95 percent of existing Mail Boxes Etc. franchisees choosing to re-brand.

India

Jetair Business Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is the exclusive master licensee to develop The UPS Store business within India. This agreement marks the introduction of The UPS Store brand outside North America as well as the first time a new market has been developed exclusively as The UPS Store. The UPS Store will be India’s first full-service network of retail outlets that combines packaging, shipping and other business products with Jetair airways ticketing services. The retail network primarily will serve small- and medium-size businesses, mobile workers, small-office, home-office workers and general consumers. North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ...

External links

• Mail Boxes Etc.
• The UPS Store