Delivering the Future: a Balanced Approach
Five-Day Delivery is Part of the Solution

Appendix A - Initial public reaction

Residential, small business customer opinions

On behalf of the Postal Service, Maritz Research conducted a survey of residential and small business customers (businesses of 250 employees or less) in August 2009 to determine customer reaction to the five-day plan, and to understand if its implementation would affect their willingness to do business with the Postal Service.

The overwhelming majority of residential customers surveyed (98 percent) said that it is important for the Postal Service to remain in business. Two-thirds of residential customers (68 percent) are in favor of five-day delivery, and 60 percent feel that the five-day delivery plan would have no impact on them.

Two out of five of the residential customers surveyed (43 percent) said that Saturday delivery is not important, while 37 percent said that it is. More than half of the residential customers (56 percent) said it is important for Post Offices to stay open on Saturdays.

The overwhelming majority of small business customers surveyed (97 percent) said that it is important for the Postal Service to remain in business. Two-thirds of small businesses (68 percent) are in favor of the five-day delivery plan. Two-thirds (69 percent) said the five-day delivery plan will have no impact on their business.

Half of small businesses (55 percent) said Saturday delivery is unimportant. Half (51 percent) also said it is important that Post Offices stay open on Saturdays.