[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 64 (Monday, April 5, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17174-17175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7692]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. MT2010-1; Order No. 434]


Market Test

AGENCY:  Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION:  Notice.

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SUMMARY:  The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service 
notice announcing its intent to initiate a market test. This notice 
addresses procedural steps associated with this filing.

DATES:  Comments are due: April 20, 2010.

ADDRESSES:  Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing 
Online system at http://www.prc.gov. Commenters who cannot submit their 
views electronically should contact the person identified in the For 
Further Information Contact section by telephone for advice on 
alternatives to electronic filing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 
202-789-6820 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Notice of Filing
III. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    On March 29, 2010, the Postal Service filed a formal notice, 
pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3641(c)(1), announcing its intent to initiate a 
market test beginning on or about May 1, 2010, of an experimental 
competitive product, Samples Co-Op Box.\1\ The market research test 
will consist of one mailing of Samples Co-Op Boxes to consumers in 
certain test markets. Id. at 1.
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    \1\ Notice of the United States Postal Service of Market Test of 
Experimental Product-Samples Co-Op Box, March 29, 2010 (Notice).
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    Statutory authority. The Postal Service indicates that its proposal 
satisfies the criteria of section 3641, which imposes certain 
conditions on experimental products. 39 U.S.C. 3641. For example, the 
Postal Service asserts that Samples Co-Op Box is significantly 
different from all products within the meaning of section 3641(b)(1). 
Id. at 5. In addition, it contends that ``the introduction or continued 
offering of the product will not create an unfair or otherwise 
inappropriate competitive advantage for the Postal Service or any 
mailer, particularly in regard to small business concerns.'' Id.; see 
also section 3641(b)(2). Also, it submits that Samples Co-Op Box is 
correctly classified as a competitive product. Id.; see also section 
3641(b)(3).
    Product description. Pursuant to section 3641(c)(1)(B), the Postal 
Service provides a brief description of the nature and scope of the 
market test. It explains that consumer packaged goods companies (CPGs) 
are looking for ways to build brand recognition by way of trial-size 
samples. Id. at 3. The Postal

[[Page 17175]]

Service adds its internal research shows that sample distribution is a 
large and growing industry. The Postal Service notes that the volume of 
samples mailed in recent years has declined. It attributes this to a 
rate design adopted in 2005. Through the experiment, the Postal Service 
is exploring the possibility of increasing its presence in the sample 
distribution market. Id. at 3-4.
    Under the proposed market test, the Postal Service will provide a 
parcel box weighing at least 12.5 ounces that will contain an 
assortment of samples from multiple CPGs to be delivered to consumers 
in targeted demographic markets. Id. at 4. The Postal Service states 
that a partner will prepare several hundred thousand Samples Co-Op 
Boxes, each containing product samples from multiple CPGs. The CPGs 
will not be charged for inclusion of their samples in the boxes. The 
Postal Service will deliver the Samples Co-Op Boxes to the test market. 
Id. Postage will not be charged for the mailing. Id. at 8.
    Following the one-time mailing of the boxes, the Postal Service 
will conduct research designed to gain information about the proposed 
product. Id. at 1. Depending on the results of that research, the 
Postal Service may conduct a second market test after providing notice 
to the Commission. Id. at 10.
    The Notice also addresses the Postal Service's plans to monitor 
performance and its data collection plan. Id. at 9-10.

II. Notice of Filing

    The Commission establishes Docket No. MT2010-1 for consideration of 
matters raised by the Notice. Interested persons may submit comments on 
whether the Postal Service's filing in the captioned docket is 
consistent with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3641. Comments are due no 
later than April 20, 2010. The filing can be accessed via the 
Commission's Web site (http://www.prc.gov).
    The Commission appoints Steven Hoffer and Natalie Rea to serve as 
Public Representatives in this docket.

III. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. MT2010-1 for consideration 
of the matters raised by the Notice.
    2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Steven Hoffer and Natalie Rea are 
appointed to serve as officers of the Commission (Public 
Representatives) to represent the interests of the general public in 
this proceeding.
    3. Comments by interested persons are due no later than April 20, 
2010.
    4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the 
Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Shoshana M. Grove,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-7692 Filed 4-2-E8; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-S