Reuters--A combination of brisk online orders for items from tablet computers to Omaha Steaks and thinly stocked shelves at conventional stores is lending a fresh dose of holiday cheer for shippers United Parcel Service and FedEx. Blockbuster sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday largely exceeded analyst expectations, raising the likelihood that the two largest package delivery companies will notch record delivery volumes during the 2011 holiday season. Analysts will now keep a close eye on whether an expected late-season rush to grab new discounts in the final days before Christmas lifts UPS and FedEx above their expectations for the season. Read more!
