WASHINGTON, DC: to the dismay of the direct mail industry, America's Postal Service Board of Governors on Monday approved a number of postal rate hikes, while inferring to catalog mailers it would reconsider a proposed 41% increase.
In an unusual use of terminology, the board declared itself "upset" by the catalog increase, approving the increase "under protest" and inviting the Postal Regulatory Commission to immediately re-examine it and two others.
The board also delayed rate rises for magazines and newspapers, which will now take effect July 15. Other rate increases are operational from May 14.
Earlier this month the Commission approved a number of rate rockets, including raising a first-class stamp 5.1%, from 39 cents to 41 cents.
Data sourced from AdAge.com; additional content by WARC staff
