[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 64 (Monday, April 5, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17174-17175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7692]
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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. MT2010-1; Order No. 434]
Market Test
AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service
notice announcing its intent to initiate a market test. This notice
addresses procedural steps associated with this filing.
DATES: Comments are due: April 20, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing
Online system at http://www.prc.gov. Commenters who cannot submit their
views electronically should contact the person identified in the For
Further Information Contact section by telephone for advice on
alternatives to electronic filing.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel,
202-789-6820 or [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Notice of Filing
III. Ordering Paragraphs
I. Introduction
On March 29, 2010, the Postal Service filed a formal notice,
pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3641(c)(1), announcing its intent to initiate a
market test beginning on or about May 1, 2010, of an experimental
competitive product, Samples Co-Op Box.\1\ The market research test
will consist of one mailing of Samples Co-Op Boxes to consumers in
certain test markets. Id. at 1.
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\1\ Notice of the United States Postal Service of Market Test of
Experimental Product-Samples Co-Op Box, March 29, 2010 (Notice).
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Statutory authority. The Postal Service indicates that its proposal
satisfies the criteria of section 3641, which imposes certain
conditions on experimental products. 39 U.S.C. 3641. For example, the
Postal Service asserts that Samples Co-Op Box is significantly
different from all products within the meaning of section 3641(b)(1).
Id. at 5. In addition, it contends that ``the introduction or continued
offering of the product will not create an unfair or otherwise
inappropriate competitive advantage for the Postal Service or any
mailer, particularly in regard to small business concerns.'' Id.; see
also section 3641(b)(2). Also, it submits that Samples Co-Op Box is
correctly classified as a competitive product. Id.; see also section
3641(b)(3).
Product description. Pursuant to section 3641(c)(1)(B), the Postal
Service provides a brief description of the nature and scope of the
market test. It explains that consumer packaged goods companies (CPGs)
are looking for ways to build brand recognition by way of trial-size
samples. Id. at 3. The Postal
[[Page 17175]]
Service adds its internal research shows that sample distribution is a
large and growing industry. The Postal Service notes that the volume of
samples mailed in recent years has declined. It attributes this to a
rate design adopted in 2005. Through the experiment, the Postal Service
is exploring the possibility of increasing its presence in the sample
distribution market. Id. at 3-4.
Under the proposed market test, the Postal Service will provide a
parcel box weighing at least 12.5 ounces that will contain an
assortment of samples from multiple CPGs to be delivered to consumers
in targeted demographic markets. Id. at 4. The Postal Service states
that a partner will prepare several hundred thousand Samples Co-Op
Boxes, each containing product samples from multiple CPGs. The CPGs
will not be charged for inclusion of their samples in the boxes. The
Postal Service will deliver the Samples Co-Op Boxes to the test market.
Id. Postage will not be charged for the mailing. Id. at 8.
Following the one-time mailing of the boxes, the Postal Service
will conduct research designed to gain information about the proposed
product. Id. at 1. Depending on the results of that research, the
Postal Service may conduct a second market test after providing notice
to the Commission. Id. at 10.
The Notice also addresses the Postal Service's plans to monitor
performance and its data collection plan. Id. at 9-10.
II. Notice of Filing
The Commission establishes Docket No. MT2010-1 for consideration of
matters raised by the Notice. Interested persons may submit comments on
whether the Postal Service's filing in the captioned docket is
consistent with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3641. Comments are due no
later than April 20, 2010. The filing can be accessed via the
Commission's Web site (http://www.prc.gov).
The Commission appoints Steven Hoffer and Natalie Rea to serve as
Public Representatives in this docket.
III. Ordering Paragraphs
It is ordered:
1. The Commission establishes Docket No. MT2010-1 for consideration
of the matters raised by the Notice.
2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Steven Hoffer and Natalie Rea are
appointed to serve as officers of the Commission (Public
Representatives) to represent the interests of the general public in
this proceeding.
3. Comments by interested persons are due no later than April 20,
2010.
4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the
Federal Register.
By the Commission.
Shoshana M. Grove,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-7692 Filed 4-2-E8; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-S