UPS forecasts record holiday shipments

UPS forecasts it will handle a record 585 million packages this December amid the peak holiday season, up 11 percent from last year.

Those packages would circle the earth nearly 4.5 times if lined up side by side and averaging 1 cubic foot each, according to the Sandy Springs-based shipping giant.

The forecast comes as UPS prepares for improvements aimed at avoiding the delays that plagued its holiday deliveries last year and led to some dissatisfied customers.