Holiday deliveries improve

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Christmas came on time this year for most people.

After FedEx and UPS failed to deliver some presents in time for Christmas last year, the two package carriers improved their performance this holiday season.

FedEx delivered more than 99 percent of express packages as promised Dec. 22 and Dec. 23, according to shipment tracker ShipMatrix. UPS delivered 99 percent of express packages as promised on those days.

Last year, the percentage of express packages delivered on time those days was in the “low 90s,” said Mark D’Amico, a spokesman for ShipMatrix.

The firm did not have data for Christmas Eve deliveries as of Friday. It also does not provide data on packages that are sent using ground shipping, since those are not guaranteed to be delivered within a set time in the weeks before Christmas.

The improved performance comes after delays by FedEx and UPS last year were blamed on a mix of bad weather and overloaded systems, with more people shopping online. Neither company disclosed exactly how many packages were delayed a year ago but said they represented a small share of overall holiday shipments.