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USPS wants to shut 3,700 post offices



The financially troubled US Postal Service is planning to close nearly 3,700 post offices, or about 11.5% of its 32,000 retail outlets, to downscale its network and save operating costs.



The US postal operator, which made an $8.5 billion loss last year and is heading for a $6 billion loss in the current year, already announced in January that it would close 2,000 branches during 2011 to help stem its heavy losses.



Yesterday, however, it went one step further and said it would “right-size” its large retail network of 32,000 post offices in response to more customers conducting postal business online, on smart phones or at shopping locations. It announced studies of 3,700 post offices around the country and introduced a retail-replacement option. “Today, more than 35% of the Postal Service’s retail revenue comes from expanded access locations such as grocery stores, drug stores, office supply stores, retail chains, self-service kiosks, ATMs and usps.com, open 24/7,” said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe. Village Post Offices would be operated by local businesses, such as pharmacies, grocery stores and other appropriate retailers, and would offer postal products and services such as stamps and flat-rate packaging.