UPS and Staples Inc recently announced a joint venture to launch a new cobranded store in China.
The new store format, cobranded Staples UPS Express, combines office supplies and document processing services from office products company Staples with packaging and international shipping services from UPS.
The first two Staples UPS Express locations opened in Beijing in late October. Two additional locations are planned to open in Shanghai by the end of 2007.
Separately, UPS has reported a 9.4 per cent increase in adjusted diluted earnings per share for its third quarter on a 4.7 per cent gain in revenue.
The company attributed the rise to a significant improvement in the supply chain and freight segment and gains in its international business. Its US small package operation posted modest improvement in spite of a sluggish economy.