USPS continues to test its Metro Post same-day service in New York City, where employees are delivering clothing, medicine and other goods soon after customers place their orders.
Metro Post is part of a broader effort to grow the Postal Service’s package business, New York City Postmaster Elvin Mercado told “PBS NewsHour” last week.
“We need the assistance of the package services to continue to grow,” Mercado said.
Between 20 and 30 New York retailers participate in Metro Post. Orders placed by 2 p.m. are delivered later that day.
Other delivery companies are also responding to the demand for same-day service, PBS reported.
Approximately 29 percent of consumers want the option of same-day delivery, according to industry analyst Brendan Witcher. He said the growth potential is limited because many people don’t need non-essential items right away.
However, a cosmetics store that uses Metro Post has found there’s a market for speedy deliveries.
“All I can tell you is that I can get it there the same day if they need it,” a store manager told PBS. “Whether it’s nail polish or mascara, we have to get it to them.”