Business and Marketing

"We'll take your returns," the Postal Service tells America in the denouement of its holiday advertising campaign.

Besides consolidating facilities (which it will do more of next week), ridding itself of onerous benefits, prepayments, and raising rates, the Postal Service's best bet for the future is increasing its profile in the growing package and shipping business. It's made plain its aspirations in that arena with a holiday ad campaign that kicked off with a spot claiming, “It's our season.” This week it culminates its effort with a play for the business of returning Christmas goodies that didn't quite work out.

“Already There,” which began airing nationwide this week, enlists a group of postal workers to explain why Big Blue (and not those guys in the orange and purple trucks or the ones in the brown uniforms) is the first and best option for returning those fruit cakes and ugly sweaters.

“We come by almost every day to deliver your mail,” a letter carrier begins the pitch, which is then picked up by several fellow postal workers. “So if you have any packages you want to return, just give them to us. I mean, we're going to be there anyway. Why don't you just leave it for us to pick up? Or you could always get in your car and pick it up yourself. Yeah, us picking it up is probably your easiest option. It's kind of a no-brainer.”

The spot concludes with copy saying, “We'll take your returns. Just print a label and schedule a pickup.”

One of the beauty spots of e-commerce for shipping companies is that one purchase could result in two or three deliveries. In mid-December, FedEx acquired GENCO, a 130-facility operation that handles more than 600 million returned packages each year.

Business Breaking News: Your First Commercial Lease: How to Prepare and What to Expect

Signing a commercial lease is one of the biggest steps in a business owner's entrepreneurial journey. Whether you need a retail space to serve as a storefront or you just want a permanent, professional location to conduct business, a real estate lease can make or break your company, so it's crucial to get it right the first time around.

"With a commercial property that will house your business assets and employees, there is a lot at stake," said Robert Bressman, a director of the real estate practice at law firm Goulston & Storrs. "Leases are long-term, with more variables and more complexity. A lease is a liability but can also be an asset."

If you've never negotiated a commercial lease, the process can seem intimidating and overwhelming. Bressman offered a few tips to help first-time lessees through this important business transaction.

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