MEMPHIS, Tenn.For the tenth consecutive year, FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) expects to break company volume records when an unprecedented 11.3 million packages move through the FedEx Express and FedEx Ground global networks on December 17, 2007. On an average day, more than 7 million packages move through the FedEx systems.

 

"As an engine of the global economy, FedEx relies on the incredible dedication of our global workforce of more than 280,000 FedEx team members to deliver the holidays for our customers," said Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and CEO of FedEx Corp. "The continued growth of FedEx is a testament to the commitment of our people, to the unprecedented access we give our customers and to the reliability of our unmatched global networks."

 

Other FedEx projections for this holiday season include:

  • FedEx Ground projects it will handle its highest package volume ever on Monday, December 10, 2007, when it expects to move more than 7 million packages. 
  • December 17, 2007, is expected to be FedEx Express' busiest night with nearly 5 million packages moving through the network. 
  • FedEx international markets including the United Kingdom, China, India and Canada also will see their busiest day on Dec. 17, 2007 when they collectively process nearly 350,000 FedEx Express domestic international shipments. 
  • FedEx Kinko's also will see its busiest night on December 17, 2007, when 345,000 FedEx Express and FedEx Ground packages are projected to move through the FedEx Kinko's channel. This is a 12% increase over last year's busiest day for FedEx Kinko's. 
  • FedEx SmartPost expects its busiest day will be December 3, 2007 with 1.9 million shipments moving through the network. 
  • The award winning fedex.com Web site is expected to break records as well this holiday season, processing an average of almost 6.5 million online tracking requests per day during the peak month of December. On average, fedex.com processes 3.5 million online tracking requests per day. On the highest single day in December, they expect 8 million online tracking requests.

FedEx and E-CommercePerfect Partners

"While overall economic growth has slowed, there are several indicators for a healthy holiday season," Smith continued. "Consumer spending remains steady and e-commerce will continue to drive holiday spending while sales of luxury goods and electronics should remain strong."

 

Online sales are projected to be the best-performing retail channel during the holidays, according to TNS Retail Forward. The firm expects online retail sales to approach $42 billion in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared with $35 billion last holiday season, a year-over-year increase of 18.5 %.

 

The National Retail Federation predicts that holiday sales will continue to rise, although sales are projected to be the slowest since 2002 due to broader economic conditions. Holiday spending is projected to increase to $474.5 billion, a four percent rise over 2006.

 

"What is most encouraging is that global growth continues at a solid pace, especially in China and India. In today's dynamic and wired environment, FedEx is the key in providing our customers access to this growing global marketplace," said Smith. "Through continuous innovation, FedEx is able to connect our customers - both large and small - to 220 countries and territories this holiday season and beyond."

 

Shipping Made Easy with FedEx

FedEx stands ready to help last-minute shoppers get their gifts delivered in time for the holidays. The last day to ship with FedEx Express is December 22, 2007 for delivery scheduled before Christmas. The last day to ship with FedEx Ground for the holiday is December 17, 2007. FedEx offers easy access to its shipping networks for individual customers during the holidays and beyond with more than 51,000 drop-off locations nationwide.

 

FedEx Kinko's provides customers with convenient, "one-stop" service for shipping and shopping needs this holiday season with more than 1,600 digitally-connected locations nationwide. These centers offer a full range of FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery shipping options - complete with packaging services, supplies and unique holiday gift ideas.

 

About FedEx

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $36 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 280,000 employees and contractors to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.  

 

Certain statements in this press release may be considered "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated (expressed or implied) by such forward-looking statements, because of, among other things, economic conditions in the global markets in which we operate, the impact of any international conflicts or terrorist activities, disruptions to the Internet or our technology infrastructure, the impact of changes in fuel prices and foreign currency exchange rates and adverse weather conditions or natural disasters, as well as the other risks and uncertainties you can find in FedEx's and its subsidiaries' press releases and SEC filings, including the risk factors in FedEx's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as updated by FedEx's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

 

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