A panel at the 2010 National Catalog Forum, presented here April 13-15 by the American Catalog Mailers Association, discussed why mailers were not prospecting. The main reason is the poor economy, but most catalogers are also dealing with fewer pages, fewer contacts, and changes in paper to keep costs down.

Full story: Live From the National Catalog Forum: Prospect or Die.

Catalogers have to take it upon themselves, because the U.S. Postal Service does not understand the catalog business, Del Polito told attendees of the 2010 National Catalog Forum, presented here April 13-15 by the American Catalog Mailers Association. Also, he said, the USPS ‘doesn’t have a lot of credibility with Congress.’”

Full story: Live From the National Catalog Forum: Catalogs Must Communicate With Congress.

With talk of an impending exigent rate case next year, Donahoe said it’s imperative that the U.S. Postal Service receives resolution involving two key issues: the requirement for the USPS to annually prefund about $5.4 billion from its operating budget for retiree health benefits — an annual payment through 2016 as dictated by the 2006 Postal Reform legislation.”

Full story: Live From the National Catalog Forum: Deputy PMG Wants Action for Catalogers.

Santa might not be ready to make a list and check it twice yet, but online retailers and marketers gearing up now for the holiday season need to consider two pieces of research from comScore that show important consumer shopping and shipping habits.

According to the “2007 Multi-Channel Direct Mail Study,” direct-mail recipients were nearly twice as likely to purchase from a retail website as those who received only an Internet communication. And when the mail piece was a catalog, the results were even better — influencing more than two-thirds of shoppers to visit the site. That traffic created a 163 percent increase in sales over those who did not receive a catalog.

Catalog recipients typically buy more items (4.1 compared to 3.2) and spend more money ($88 compared to $69), the study showed.

“Catalogs can be used to acquire new customers and educate a new audience about brands and products because they allow for longer messages and more detailed information,” said Anita Bizzotto, Postal Service chief marketing officer and executive vice president. “And if they grab attention or have great pass-along value, direct mail and catalogs can reach household decision makers.”

That same research showed that catalogs jumpstart holiday shopping. In November, catalog recipients were significantly more likely than non-catalog recipients to have shopped online for holiday gifts.

Consumers were equally clear in wanting a choice on how to receive their online orders. “Package Delivery Research” found that 63 percent of online shoppers want an option to select the delivery company for their packages. A retailer’s favorability improves with the option to choose. Six out of 10 shoppers said they have a better opinion of companies if they could always select their preferred delivery company.

About 28 percent of business owners and 12 percent of consumers who shop online do not buy from companies that don’t offer a choice. Almost half of consumers who selected a delivery company chose the U.S. Postal Service (46 percent), according to the research.

“Mail and the Internet do indeed work together,” said Bridget O’Toole, executive vice president at comScore. “Successful marketers are using catalogs to attract more shoppers and to convert them to buyers.”

The white paper on package research is available here, and the white paper on catalog research is here.