An innovative partnership between world express delivery giant FedEx Express Corp (FedEx) and film giant Kodak is expected to fuel FedEx's expansion and intensify already fierce competition in China's international express market.
FedEx, the world's largest express transportation company, announced on Tuesday it will team up with Kodak to provide express services in selected Kodak Express stores.
Consumers can now drop their shipments for FedEx delivery in designated Kodak Express stores, said Eddy Chan, regional vice-president of FedEx's China & Mid-Pacific division.
"This is the first such initiative in China," he said. "FedEx is pleased to work with Kodak since the companies share the same strong desire to offer customers convenient, high-quality and reliable services."
FedEx will make the new service available in nine Kodak Express in Beijing's core business areas.
After six months, FedEx plans to expand the service to more Kodak Express stores in Beijing and other cities across China, Chan said.
FedEx will train Kodak Express staff on operations and customer service to ensure they can advise customers on package delivery details.
Said Antonio Lee, Kodak's general manager of retail and channel management in Greater Asia region: "The cooperation with FedEx represents another new innovation for Kodak. Consumers can enjoy one-stop services ranging from film processing, digital imaging and the newly introduced FedEx Express services."
There are more than 7,000 Kodak Express stores in 750 cities in China, the largest retail chain in the country.
(China Daily March 27, 2002)
