Retailers and companies in other industries have come out in opposition to a proposed seven percent hike in U.S. postal rates. The increases, which are scheduled to begin on Aug. 29, “will impose new and substantial costs to the detriment of the American public and businesses, especially small businesses, nonprofits and charities, consumers generally … and, of course, the millions of jobs postal-reliant businesses support,” according to a coalition of industry groups including the National Retail Federation that oppose the hike.