DETROIT - Marylandian -- The UPS Store has named greeting card publisher Avanti Press, Inc. its 2019 Vendor of the Year. The recognition is based solely on survey feedback from The UPS Store's 5,000-plus franchisees based on criteria from eight categories ranging from customer service, order fulfillment, and receptiveness in providing custom products and service solutions.

"We truly appreciate this recognition," said Chip Owen, Executive Vice President for Avanti Press.  "The UPS Store organization has long promoted a culture of win-win with its franchisees, and it does the same with its vendors. Avanti keeps its product and service focus in strong alignment with The UPS Store's customer service objectives. Hundreds of people contribute to this outcome every day."

Avanti Press greeting cards are supported by local sales and service representatives across the United States and Canada, bringing in-store merchandising expertise to the franchisee network. This work follows the Avanti's Detroit headquarter focus on continuous flow of new card introductions, and supply chain best practices such as rapid and complete order turnaround, and customer care responsiveness. "Coast to coast, and certainly from our home base here in Detroit, Avanti aims to deliver strong results for its customers with fun, friendly, sharp, one-of-a-kind products," said Owen. "And, of course, we deliver those orders via United Parcel Service."

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The UPS Store network is the world's largest franchisor of retail shipping, postal, printing and business service centers. Today, there are more than 5,000 independently owned The UPS Store locations in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada.

Founded in 1980, Avanti Press is a Detroit-based publisher of Avanti greeting cards, the Global Humor Brand™. The company is also expanding its America and A*Press greeting card collections. Translated into over 20 languages and sold throughout the world, the company also licenses its Avanti brand for a variety of general merchandise categories.