A Fork in the Road: Walmart Bets on Associates, Automation

The United States Postal Service announced it will host a pre-filing virtual conference to discuss its plans to improve mail processing and transportation, and how these improvements will align with proposed refinements within its existing service standards for Mail and Package Products. The Postal Service will consider the comments received during the virtual conference and will thereafter file its formal request asking for an advisory opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). After receiving an advisory opinion from the PRC, the Postal Service will consider the Commission’s opinion and finalize its decision. Central to the virtual conference discussion will be the proposed operational improvements and corresponding refinements to process, transport and deliver all categories of mail and packages through an integrated network without expanding the existing day ranges of service standards, and for some products shortening the current day ranges. These refinements will deliver important benefits to the organization and its customers as the Postal Service continues to implement a more efficient and effective operating model.

"MXM has been an important contributor to Meredith's business over the years, and we are very proud of the groundbreaking work our employees have accomplished," said Tom Harty, President and CEO of Meredith Corporation. "However, given our recent acquisition of Time Inc. and our enhanced commitment to delivering consumer content across multiple media platforms, we believe MXM will be better positioned for growth with Accenture Interactive. They are excited about the business and the talented employees who will now become part of the Accenture team." Financial terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. Meredith said the transaction will not have a material effect on its fiscal 2018 financial results. The acquisition is expected to close within 60 days, subject to customary closing conditions. Click Read More below for additional information.

A bill that would limit states’ ability to enforce sales tax collection laws on online retailers that do not have a physical presence in those states had its first hearing on Capitol Hill today. H.R. 2887, introduced by Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and titled the “No Regulation Without Representation Act,” went before the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial, and Antitrust Law this morning. The bill would prohibit states from forcing businesses that do not have a physical presence in the state to collect sales tax from in-state shoppers that buy from them. Click Read More below for more of the story.