Standard Mail volume increased 11% in August while volume levels for other categories of mail continued to decline, according to figures recently reported to the Postal Regulatory Commission by the US Postal Service. The volume of Standard Mail, which includes many forms of marketing-related mail, has been increasing steadily this year following earlier declines. As a result, volume so far this year has decreased by only 0.9% compared with the same period last year. However, the US Postal Service has said the overall Standard Mail volume is significantly below its 2008 level and that the growing use by marketers of targeted mailings as well as alternative media channels will continue to impact Standard Mail volumes. Other mailing categories fared significantly worse in August. First Class mail volume continued its decline and was down by 6.4% in August. Periodicals volume dropped 7.4% during the same period and packages services decreased 3.7%. Thanks to the increase in Standard Mail volume, mailing services volume overall increased 1.8% for a total of 13.7 billion pieces. However, because Standard Mail only brings in half the revenue of First Class mail, the US Postal Service’s financial picture hasn’t improved. The USPS reported a net loss of $1.6 billion for August, bringing its year-to-date total net loss to $7.7 billion. The USPS’ fiscal year ends on Sept. 30.