August Kicks Off with Big Gain in Print Unit Sales (publishersweekly.com)

A strong rebound in sales in the K–12 instructional materials category and solid gains in the trade categories led to a 12.2% increase in publishing sales in 2021 compared to 2020, according to new data from the AAP’s StatShot program. Sales from the 1,369 publishers that report data totaled $15.4 billion last year, up from $13.7 billion in the year before. After falling 19.6% in 2020, sales in the K–12 category jumped 34.6% last year, as states and school districts returned to a more normal buying pattern. Sales in the higher education course materials category recovered from a drop of 4.3% in 2020, though the rebound wasn’t as dramatic as for K–12, rising 2.5% last year.

Penguin Random House has acquired Hay House, the self-help and health and wellness publisher founded by bestselling You Can Heal Your Life author Louise Hay in 1984. Terms of the transaction, which was brokered by Oaklins DeSilva+Philips, were not disclosed. Reid Tracy, CEO of Hay House, will continue to run the publisher, which will "retain its editorial and publishing independence," after the deal closes, the companies said in a statement. In addition, "no changes are planned" for Hay House's employees, management, or offices in Carlsbad, Calif., New York, and London.

Since the coronavirus pandemic began, people have been loading their pantries with household staples like toilet paper, paper towels, wipes, diapers and hand sanitizer. This panic buying — sometimes even hoarding — has depleted store shelves and disrupted supply chains. It’s also exacerbated a growing problem in the United States: diaper need. Low-income families and parents who have lost jobs due to the pandemic are struggling to afford diapers for their babies. Diminished diaper supplies and concerns about going to the store have put added pressure on families. Even senior adults with incontinence and adults with disabilities are experiencing greater diaper need during these challenging times. Under normal circumstances, one in three families experience diaper need. Diaper banks try to fill the gap by distributing free diapers to those who need them. Now, with widespread unemployment and a disrupted diaper supply chain, such organizations are struggling to meet increased demand with fewer resources.