The AIM Advantage: AIM Mail Centers vs. the UPS Store
Every business model has a purpose. This is obviously true in regard to the
AIM Mail Centers positioning statement as compared to The UPS Store. That is not
to say that one is good and the other bad. They are simply as different as they are
the same.
A comparison of the two systems from the consumer perspective truly tells the story.
The UPS Store is focused on moving more parcels through the UPS system. AIM Mail Centers are focused on offering consumers the right fit for their needs. That means AIM offers the consumer options which focus group research finds is the number one reason why customers visit a mail center versus going directly to the carrier.
Where The UPS Store can only offer UPS as a carrier, the AIM customer has a choice of UPS (at the same UPS prices), FedEx or several other national and international carriers.
A unique agreement between United Parcel Service and AIM Mail Centers gave the AIM locations the same discounted pricing as UPS gave their own franchised units. This is a
major advantage for AIM.
An extension of this divergence in direction is evident in the product assortment found at AIM Mail Centers' locations. Again, where UPS is focused on just moving more parcels through its system, the AIM locations offer and excel at providing more than 30 different business services. This resonates with the local business community as well as the SOHO marketplace. Simply said, the consumer's needs come first at AIM.
Two different systems in the same industry. Two different ways of doing business.
Though a smaller franchise, AIM Mail Centers is clearly the choice for consumers.
UPS has been our vendor for 24 years and this is not to imply that they are anything less than a great company. We are also a great company with much more experience in the
mail center and franchising industries.
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