APS Fulfillment, Inc. Says Strong Q4 Consumer Spending Paints Optimistic Picture for 2015

Miami, FL, February 4, 2015 – APS Fulfillment, Inc., one of the nation’s leading cost-effective fulfillment and integrated direct mail marketing companies, is revealing that recently announced fourth-quarter consumer spending data suggest a healthy year for brands conducting business in the United States.

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the U.S. economy may have slowed in the fourth quarter, but consumer spending grew at its fastest pace since 2006. Gross domestic product (GDP) advanced 2.6% in the fourth quarter, following a five percent growth rate in the third quarter. Overall, the U.S. economy grew 2.4% in 2014, compared to 2.2% in 2013. (Source: “Gross Domestic Product: Fourth Quarter and Annual 2014 (Advance Estimate),” U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis web site, January 30; 2014, www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/gdpnewsrelease.htm.)

“The slowdown in U.S. GDP is expected to be short-lived as lower gas prices and stronger, underlying fundamentals provide an economic tailwind in the first half of 2015,” says Charles Aultman, president of APS Fulfillment, Inc. “This is evidenced by the 4.3% increase in fourth-quarter personal consumption, the fastest rate of growth since 2006. It also represents an acceleration from the 3.2% increase in the third quarter.”

Aultman explains that consumer spending accounts for approximately 70% of U.S. economic activity. Since June 2014, U.S. gas prices have fallen more than 40%, leaving American consumers with more discretionary income; this is making Americans more optimistic about the economy. January’s consumer sentiment index reading of 98.1 is far above the final December reading of 93.6 and the highest since 2004. (Source: Madigan, K., “January’s Consumer Sentiment Index Is Highest Since 2004,” The Wall Street Journal, January 30, 2015; www.wsj.com/articles/end-january-consumer-sentiment-index-is-highest-since-2004-1422634436.)

“Consumers believe the prospects for the U.S. economy are at their best in more than a decade. On top of that, U.S. consumers believe economic expansion will continue for at least another five years. This bodes well for brands doing business in the U.S.,” he adds. “But to take advantage of the strengthening economy and growing consumer optimism, brands need to take a proactive approach to their fulfillment and warehousing needs.”

“Located in Southern Florida, APS Fulfillment, Inc. is minutes from the Port Everglades and the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. It is also just 40 minutes from the Miami International Airport and Port of Miami,” Aultman concludes. “Due to this proximity and the company’s state-of-the-art, real-time shipping solutions, brands that use APS Fulfillment, Inc. can have their products received, inventoried, and shipped in just two days.”

APS Fulfillment, Inc. is one of the United States’ leading cost-effective fulfillment and integrated direct mail marketing companies, offering affordable and real-time fulfillment services to small, medium, and large companies. More information on APS Fulfillment, Inc. is available by visiting the firm’s web site or by calling 954-582-7450.