7. Self Service
During 2001, the Self Service office continued to focus on improving performance, increasing access points for consumer stamp purchases, and generating revenue. Continued emphasis was also placed on increasing consumer awareness of alternative locations for stamp purchases. Additional information is provided below:

Approximately 7 percent of retail revenue is generated from self-service vending. During 2001, the Postal Service focused on reducing the costs per revenue dollar in vending (decreased 2 cents), improving customer satisfaction (increased by 3 percentage points), and reducing the number of out-of-date machines (decreased by 20 percent).

        a. Provide New Services
The Postal Service continued the pilot test of the Automated Postal Center (APC). The APC is a self-service kiosk that enables consumers to weigh, rate, print postage (using the information-based indicia technology), and mail packages. It also offers the ability to purchase sheetlets of stamps and to obtain general mailing information. The APC has the capacity to provide approximately 80 percent of the commonly requested postal transactions in a self-service environment. This use of new technology further leverages our plans to reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction.

        b. Stamps on Consignment
Approximately 8 percent of retail revenue is generated from the Stamps on Consignment program. This program is designed to offer consumers easy access to purchase stamps. These alternative locations include grocery, drug, and convenience stores as well as ATMs in various bank branches. The number of alternative locations provided by this program was approximately 40,000 in 2001.