(subscription required) Holiday book buying kicked into high gear last week, with unit sales of print books jumping 44.3% over the week ended November 29, 2020, at outlets that report to NPD BookScan. The smallest gain in the week came in young adult fiction, where sales increased 31.2%, whereas the biggest jump was in young adult nonfiction, which had an 86.8% increase. In general, the sales boost came from higher sales of existing titles. For example, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, last year's Barnes & Noble book of the year, saw sales skyrocket to about 138,000 copies last week from just over 14,000 copies in the previous week. Holiday favorite How the Grinch Stole Christmas had a 77% sales jump in the week, with sales nearing 52,000 copies sold.

It seemed impossible that the acquisition of Simon & Schuster by Penguin Random House the day before Thanksgiving could be overshadowed by a bigger industry event, but that is what happened when book publishing’s long-running trade show and convention, most recently known as BookExpo, was canceled. As the buzz about the end of BookExpo has cooled down, industry members continue to digest the news of PRH’s pending purchase of S&S, the nation’s largest and third-largest trade book publishers, respectively. When the acquisition was announced, the Authors Guild, the American Booksellers Association, and the Association of American Literary Agents (formerly the AAR) all issued statements that were critical of the deal. While each organization had a particular take, all shared one thing in common: they were concerned about the increasing consolidation within trade publishing. The Authors Guild, which called the 2012 Random House–Penguin merger “unsettling,” took a tougher stance in PRH’s S&S purchase, saying that, for authors, the reduction of the Big Five to Big Four would leave “fewer competing bidders for their manuscripts, which would inevitably drive down advances offered.”

To collectively fight against climate change and advance equity in the industry, REI Co-op is engaging its more than 1,000 brand partners to advance more sustainable and inclusive business practices. The REI Product Impact Standards include the co-op’s expectations for how brands are addressing carbon reduction, inclusive marketing practices and cultural designs in the products they make and sell to REI. The standards first launched in 2018 as a way for REI to advance sustainability across the industry and have expanded to include additional areas of impact. The standards also include voluntary product certifications, known as preferred attributes, which includes recognition for products that are certified to Climate Neutral, bluesign, or other leading standards supporting organic ingredients, recycled materials or fair trade. REI is committing that, by 2030, all products on its shelves will have a preferred attribute so that every purchase at REI supports a healthier, cleaner, more equitable planet. “The products we carry represent our values and one of our greatest opportunities to support better ways of doing business in our industry,” said Chris Speyer, REI vice president of product. “We want our members and customers to shop with confidence, knowing that the products they purchase at REI are helping build a better future for the people and places they love.”

The nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) has come to us requesting specific company information about how our members have been impacted since the Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair in June 2018. This study will go to Members of Congress and will help make the case for legislative relief from the punishing complexity, cost and liabilities being imposed on remote sellers. So far, several members of ACMA's Tax Committee have stepped up with their case studies, showing in detail the kind of financial hardship the Wayfair decision has had on their businesses. Please help with our goal being to get Federal legislation passed so you don't have more than dozens of states chasing after you for back taxes, audits, and other liabilities. Our help in this crucial GAO report will go a long way toward reaching this vital goal. Click read more below for important directions to share your input.

PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating, two independent colors that highlight how different elements come together to support one another, best express the mood for Pantone Color of the Year 2021. Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, the union of PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is one of strength and positivity. It is a story of color that encapsulates deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the promise of something sunny and friendly. A message of happiness supported by fortitude, the combination of PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is aspirational and gives us hope. We need to feel that everything is going to get brighter – this is essential to the human spirit.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2020 Financial Highlights: *Adobe achieved record quarterly revenue of $3.42 billion in its fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, which represents 14 percent year-over-year growth. Diluted earnings per share was $4.64 on a GAAP basis, and $2.81 on a non-GAAP basis. *GAAP operating income in the fourth quarter was $1.22 billion, and non-GAAP operating income was $1.54 billion. GAAP net income was $2.25 billion, and non-GAAP net income was $1.36 billion. *Cash flows from operations were a record $1.78 billion. *Adobe repurchased approximately 1.6 million shares during the quarter.

Costco Wholesale Corporation announced its operating results for the first quarter (twelve weeks) of fiscal 2021, ended November 22, 2020. Net sales for the first quarter increased 16.9 percent, to $42.35 billion from $36.24 billion last year. Net income for the quarter was $1,166 million, or $2.62 per diluted share, compared to $844 million, or $1.90 per diluted share, last year. This year’s first quarter included tax benefits of $145 million or $0.33 per diluted share, $0.16 of which was due to the deductibility of the $10 per share special cash dividend, to the extent received by the Company’s 401(k) plan participants; and $0.17 cents related to stock-based compensation. Last year’s first quarter included a $77 million or $0.17 per diluted share tax benefit related to stock-based compensation. This year’s results reflect an expense for COVID-19 premium wages of $212 million pre-tax or $0.35 per diluted share.

Paper and the holidays go together like marshmallows and hot cocoa. From greeting cards and paper crafts to special stories and letters to Santa, much of the holiday magic and wonder we enjoy comes from the paper products we use each year. This year, while many people are forgoing parties and family gatherings out of health concerns, paper traditions can take on even greater importance. Check out these creative ways to make holiday magic with paper. Holiday Cards; Paper Packaging; Gift Wrap; Holiday Crafts. How will you use paper to create holiday magic this year? Find us on social media @DomtarEveryday and share your favorite paper-based holiday traditions.

The 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. Valentine’s Day Look Book is here, helping gift-givers find the perfect expression of love for all the sweethearts in their lives. This annual guide includes thoughtful, playful, and romantic gift ideas, such as one-of-a-kind floral arrangements and preserved roses from 1-800-Flowers.com®, customized keepsakes for everyone (including pets!) from PersonalizationMall.com®, prepared gourmet meals and indulgent desserts from Harry & David®, plus chocolate truffles, baked goods and buttercream frosted treats from Simply Chocolate®, Wolferman’s Bakery®, and Cheryl’s Cookies®. With suggestions for planning the ultimate date night at home, gifts for the littlest loves, and perfect presents for him, the company’s family of brands have everything needed to make a lasting impression this Valentine’s Day.

Amazon announced 26 new utility-scale wind and solar energy projects totaling 3.4 gigawatts (GW) of electricity production capacity, bringing its total investment in renewable energy in 2020 to 35 projects and more than 4 GW of capacity — the largest corporate investment in renewable energy in a single year. These new projects will make Amazon the largest-ever corporate purchaser of renewable energy. Amazon has now invested in 6.5 GW of wind and solar projects that will enable the company to supply its operations with more than 18 million megawatt hours (MWh) of renewable energy annually. This is enough to power 1.7 million U.S. homes for one year. These projects will supply renewable energy for Amazon’s corporate offices, fulfillment centers, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centers that support millions of customers globally. They will also help advance Amazon’s goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions across its business by 2040. Part of that commitment is powering Amazon’s infrastructure with 100% renewable energy, and the company is now on a path to achieve this milestone by 2025, five years ahead of the initial 2030 target.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) gave an early Christmas present to debt collectors, at the expense of the very consumers they are mandated to protect. Ignoring a mountain of public comments from citizens, cyber security experts and consumer advocacy groups including Keep Me Posted (KMP) detailing the multitude of harms and risks unleashed by its proposed rules, the Bureau plowed ahead and finalized a sweeping deregulation that will subject society to an unwelcome digital deluge of menace and fraud. Under the guise of so-called modernization, the CFPB will give the green light to 3rd-party debt collectors to exploit Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter messaging — as well as emails and text messaging — in their bounty hunting efforts. The new rules would further allow for an unlimited quantity of such unsolicited digital contacting — while simultaneously expanding the frequency of phone calls to 7 times per week per alleged debt. Meanwhile, the safe, secure and discreet practice of mailing paper letters will remain an option for professional firms seeking reliable communications options. To be clear, America’s consumers did not ask for this. And they will not even be given the option to opt-in to any such digital communications they might prefer.

Simon & Schuster president and CEO Jonathan Karp has acquired a new book to be written by veteran investigative reporter and bestselling author Bob Woodward and fellow Washington Post political reporter Robert Costa. The book will examine the last days of the Trump presidency and the beginning of the Biden administration. Woodward and Costa were represented by Robert Barnett, who negotiated the deal with Karp. S&S acquired world, audio, and first series rights to the book. Karp will also edit the book, which is untitled and has no publication date.

Second Quarter Summary: *GAAP Results: Revenue of $491 million (+5%) and EPS of $1.22 (+54%) *Research Publishing & Platforms (at constant currency): Revenue +5% and Adjusted EBITDA +14% on strong double-digit growth in Open Access *Academic & Professional Learning: Revenue for Education Publishing marginally ahead of prior year as accelerated growth in digital content and courseware more than offset decline in print books *Education Services: Second Quarter and First Half Adjusted EBITDA margin of 21% and 17%, trending ahead of FY22 target of 15%

JCPenney announced that it has completed its previously announced sale, under which Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management, Inc. have acquired substantially all of JCPenney’s retail and operating assets. The Company’s asset purchase agreement with Simon, Brookfield and the Company’s DIP and First Lien Lenders, supported by the Unsecured Creditors Committee, had previously been approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas on November 9, 2020. “Today is an exciting day for our company, as we have accomplished our goal of putting JCPenney on a secure path for the future as a private company so that we can continue to serve our loyal customers,” said Jill Soltau, Chief Executive Officer of JCPenney.

For the US Postal Service, 2020 has hardly ever been a dull moment. As if the stormy tenure of new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, the controversial service changes and their impact on mail-in voting, the barrage of Covid-fueled package volume, and the plunge in letter and flat mail volume weren't all enough, on Nov. 30th, the Postal Regulatory Commission issued its final review in its 10-year review of postal rate-making. As we've been warning, it's potentially catastrophic news for catalog mailers, as future postage rates for flats could skyrocket. That potentially game-changing news came less than two weeks after the USPS announced a significant shake-up in its executive ranks. And all of this comes on the eve of another postal rate hike taking effect in late January. In a 60-minute web meeting on Tuesday, December 15th at 1:00 pm EST, the ACMA will host a panel of experts to not only dig into what's taking place but also what you as a merchant can do going forward. Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtd-2uqDIqH90u-NsYNBS7_KqUq6SOL7OX Moderated by ACMA President & Executive Director Hamilton Davison (below left), the panel will also include Matthew Field (center). A partner with Venable LLP, Mr. Field is a knowledgeable regulatory counselor and skilled litigator who represents clients in highly regulated industries with extensive experience in postal and energy regulation. He'll be joined by ACMA's Postal Economist Robert Mitchell (right). Mr. Mitchell's career in postal affairs dates back more than 45 years. He had a lengthy tenure as principal economist with the USPS, then become special assistant to the Commission at the then-Postal Rate Commission. Over the past 18 years, he has served as a postal consultant, the last 12 advising the ACMA. Members of ACMA's Postal Committee will also be on hand. There are a limited number of spots available for this webinar (via Zoom meeting) so register soon. All ACMA members are welcome. Non-members are eligible, but pending demand levels, some registrations may be declined in favor of members and will be taken in order received so register now.

Double-digit gains in the adult categories helped boost print unit sales 8.7% in the week ended Nov. 28, 2020, over the comparable week in 2019, at outlets that report to NPD BookScan. Print unit sales jumped 22.2% over the week ended Nov. 30, 2019, in the adult nonfiction category, led by Barack Obama’s A Promised Land, which sold about 410,000 copies in its second week. The top new title in the category was Modern Warriors by Pete Hegseth, which sold more than 30,000 copies. Three new releases contributed to the 13.5% increase in unit sales in the adult fiction category: Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline was #1, selling 99,000 copies; next was Deadly Cross by James Patterson, which sold more than 42,000 copies, followed by The Awakening by Nora Roberts, which sold a little more than 27,000 copies. Print units increased 29.1% over 2019 in the YA category.

Meredith Corporation's Southern Living reports that its December issue ad revenue is up 51% from last year, its monthly year-to-date audience across digital, print and online has averaged 25.5 million, up 2% from 2019 (AAM, Sept. 2020) and its website experienced its highest trafficked November in its history with nearly 19 million visits, up 23% year over year. The December issue, on newsstands now, marks the 25th year of the brand's popular annual holiday white cake cover and feature story. Continuing to advance the brand's momentum, Southern Living will introduce enhanced paper stock, along with a refreshed design, beginning with the January/February 2021 issue. A new front-of-book section called "In Season" will debut to reflect readers' passionate interest in seasonal moments, experiences and celebrations, and a range of new columns will roll out in various issues throughout the year covering topics ranging from home and cooking to travel and beauty. Doug Olson, President of Meredith Magazines, said, "Southern Living's success underscores the brand's resonance with people across the South and beyond. The brand's rich heritage coupled with its modern take on the Southern lifestyle continues to appeal to marketers seeking the right environment to reach engaged consumers across the country. With our investment in improved paper, we're excited to provide an even better reader experience."

For the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2020 *Net sales decreased 7.8% to $1.6 billion compared to $1.7 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 due to the impact of COVID-19. *Comparable sales (sales for stores open at least 14 months, including stores temporarily closed due to COVID-19, and e-commerce sales) decreased 8.9% compared to an increase of 3.2% in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. In the third quarter of fiscal 2020, transactions declined 15.4% and average ticket increased 7.6%. *Gross profit decreased 12.5% to $545.5 million compared to $623.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. *Tax rate increased to 25.1% compared to 23.1% in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. The higher effective tax rate is primarily due to less investment tax credits received. *Net income was $74.8 million compared to $129.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Adjusted net income was $92.5 million compared to $128.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. For the First Nine Months of Fiscal 2020 *Net sales decreased 22.4% to $4.0 billion compared to $5.1 billion in first nine months of fiscal 2019 due to the impact of COVID-19.*Comparable sales decreased 23.8% compared to an increase of 5.4% in the first nine months of fiscal 2019. During the first nine months of fiscal 2020, transactions declined 30.1% and average ticket increased 9.0%. *Gross profit decreased to $1.2 billion compared to $1.9 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2019. *Net income was $4.3 million compared to $483.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2019.

*Total net sales were $140.3 million, a decrease of $14.5 million or 9.4%, compared to $154.8 million last year. -Net sales from physical stores were $104.6 million, a decrease of $27.5 million or 20.8%, compared to $132.1 million last year. -Net sales from e-commerce were $35.7 million, an increase of $13.0 million or 57.3% compared to approximately $22.7 million last year. *Gross profit was $40.7 million, or 29.0% of net sales, compared to $47.2 million, or 30.5% of net sales last year. *Net income was $2.1 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, compared to $6.4 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, last year.

Urban Outfitters, Inc. announced the promotion of Melanie Marein-Efron, the Company’s Executive Director of Corporate Development and Finance, to Chief Financial Officer, effective December 2, 2020. “I am pleased to announce Melanie’s promotion to be our new Chief Financial Officer, and I welcome her to our Executive Leadership Team,” said Richard A. Hayne, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “I am confident Melanie will approach her new role with the same energy, dedication and thoroughness she has displayed since joining URBN eight years ago,” finished Mr. Hayne.

FedEx Corp. announced that it has agreed to acquire ShopRunner, the e-commerce platform that directly connects brands and merchants with online shoppers. ShopRunner’s capabilities will complement and expand the FedEx e-commerce portfolio and are expected to create increased value for brands, merchants, and consumers. The parties anticipate the acquisition to close by the end of the calendar year, and it is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval. ShopRunner connects more than 100 brands and merchants to millions of consumers and offers a seamless shopping experience from inspiration through delivery. Members enjoy benefits including free two-day shipping, free returns, member-exclusive discounts, and seamless checkout. ShopRunner’s data-driven marketing and omnichannel enablement capabilities also help brands and merchants acquire high-value customers and accelerate their digital innovation by using ShopRunner’s e-commerce platform.

The all-important post-Thanksgiving holiday sales period got off to a subdued start at bookstores around the country this year. As expected, foot traffic was light. The National Retail Federation reported the number of in-store shoppers fell 37% on Black Friday compared with last year while the number of customers who shopped only online through the weekend and on Cyber Monday rose by 44% over 2019. Bookshop.org sold some approximately $2.3 million in books over the period from Friday through Monday, according to Andy Hunter, CEO of Bookshop.org. Unsurprisingly, Amazon.com reported it had its best period ever in the company’s history and noted on a blog post that among its bestselling items were several books, including Barack Obama’s A Promised Land (Crown) and The Deep End (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #15) by Jeff Kinney (Abrams/Amulet); both titles were also cited by nearly all the bookstores surveyed by PW. Other bestsellers at Amazon included Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey (Crown), A Time for Mercy by John Grisham (Doubleday), The Sentinel by Lee Child (Delacorte), and Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson (Tor), among adult books, as well as Grime and Punishment (Dog Man #9) by Dav Pilkey (Scholastic/Grafix) in the children’s category.

Pearson announced that Mike Howells will become its new Chief Strategy Officer to further strengthen its focus on building a direct, lifetime relationship with learners around the world and to enhance its partnerships with learning institutions globally. Mike will further strengthen Pearson’s global corporate and educational partnerships as the company aims to expand and enhance its direct-to-consumer offering. He will be based in London and will work with the executive team and Board to shape and execute the plan for the business, reporting to Andy Bird, Chief Executive.

Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $15.67 billion for the retail month of November, the four weeks ended November 29, 2020, an increase of 15.1 percent from $13.62 billion last year. For the twelve-week first quarter ended November 22, 2020, the Company reported net sales of $42.35 billion, an increase of 16.9 percent from $36.24 billion last year. For the thirteen weeks ended November 29, 2020, the Company reported net sales of $46.33 billion, an increase of 16.0 percent from $39.95 billion during the similar period last year.

Meredith Corporation announced that Catherine Levene has been named National Media Group (NMG) President, effective immediately. Meredith's National Media Group reaches nearly 95 percent of all U.S. women and more than 190 million unduplicated American consumers every month through iconic brands such as PEOPLE, Better Homes & Gardens, Allrecipes, Southern Living, and REAL SIMPLE. Meredith's premium digital network reaches more than 150 million consumers each month. The company is the No. 1 U.S. magazine operator with 36 million subscribers and the No. 2 global licensor with robust brand licensing activities that include a Better Homes & Gardens partnership with Walmart. Levene, 50, currently serves as the NMG's Chief Digital Officer. In her new role, she will oversee all NMG activities, including its Digital, Magazine (led by Doug Olson), and Consumer Products (led by Tom Witschi) businesses. Levene will report to Meredith Chairman and CEO Tom Harty.

Kohl’s and Sephora announced a long-term strategic partnership to create a new era of elevated Beauty at Kohl's, marrying Kohl's expansive customer reach and omnichannel convenience with Sephora's prestige service, product selection and exceptional beauty experience. "Sephora at Kohl's" will be a fully-immersive, premium beauty destination, designed within a 2,500 square foot space and prominently located at the front of the store. When the first 200 locations open in Fall 2021, the Kohls.com online beauty selection will also convert to exclusively showcase an expanded assortment of Sephora's prestige product offerings. The partnership will expand into at least 850 stores by 2023, offering an expansive footprint, a wide-reaching customer base and unmatched visibility for Sephora’s brand partners within the prestige environment in which they thrive. Sephora has 500 of its 2,600 stores in the Americas and Kohl's has more than 1,150 locations in 49 states, serving 65 million customers, with very limited overlap between the two store networks.

U.S. book publishing’s biggest trade show is being “retired,” show organizer ReedPop announced today. BookExpo, along with BookCon and Unbound, will not be held in 2021 after being canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. ReedPop, the pop culture event–focused subdivision of Reed Exhibitions, said that, given the “continued uncertainty surrounding in-person events at this time,” the company has decided “that the best way forward is to retire the current iteration of events as they explore new ways to meet the community’s needs through a fusion of in-person and virtual events.”

Beginning Dec. 4, Walmart is expanding the benefit list of Walmart+. Just in time for the holidays, Walmart is removing the $35 shipping minimum for Walmart.com orders for its members. This new benefit paired with free unlimited deliveries of groceries and more from Walmart stores makes the retailer’s membership program even more comprehensive. “It feels like a life hack is needed now more than ever, and Walmart+ is here to help,” said Janey Whiteside, chief customer officer, Walmart. “No other membership allows customers across the country to get everything from gingerbread cookies and eggnog to holiday decorations and toys delivered for free as soon as the same day. Walmart+ is designed to make life easier – giving customers an option to not have to sacrifice on cost or convenience.” Walmart+ members will receive free next-day and two-day shipping on items shipped by Walmart no matter the basket total.

Hearst UK recently announced that women’s lifestyle magazine Prima would increase its print edition from 12 to 13 issues a year, following a 68% surge in subscriptions this year. This week, we talk to Prima’s Editor Jo Checkley about what factors led to the decision to increase the frequency of the magazine, how their content has encouraged a community feel among their readers, and what lessons they’ll be taking from producing magazines in lockdown. Jo also outlines what she’s done to keep her magazines thriving during her career despite tough market conditions for women’s titles. In the news roundup the team discusses Future Plc’s resurgent fortunes and purchase of GoCompare, the UK government’s attempts to create a competition regime to tackle the ‘fundamental imbalance of power’ between platforms and publishers, and Spotify launching a Stories copy. Esther is a meerkat.

Everyone’s favorite scrumptious holiday, National Cookie Day, is on December 4 and Cheryl’s Cookies® and Harry & David® are celebrating in delicious ways. From seasonal flavors and festive gift ideas, to creative ways to enjoy these gourmet delights in the comfort of home – cookies are the ultimate sweet treat. *Everyone can savor the season with holiday favorites from cocoa sugar and black cherry chocolate to gingerbread and dark chocolate-covered peppermint – these cookies will excite taste buds all around. *The countdown to Christmas begins with the brand new and exclusive Advent Calendar Cookie Box – the tastiest way for families to connect with one another and be merry. *The magic of cookies can be delivered right to loved ones’ doorsteps with endless delicious gift ideas. For the little ones, send a buttercream frosted cut-out cookie card or elevate reading time with a big book of Christmas cookies. Big kids can also enjoy a sweet surprise with a ceramic station wagon cookie jar and a tower of cookies. *Cookie artisans can reinvent the traditional cookie platter by crafting an Instagram and Pinterest-worthy holiday cookie board. Using gourmet cookies as the foundation, this dessert tray can be personalized with a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.

In Order No. 4257, which examined the current ratemaking system, the Commission identified three principal areas of the PAEA system that encapsulate the nine objectives: (1) the structure of the ratemaking system; (2) the financial health of the Postal Service; and (3) service. The Commission concluded that the system had achieved some of the goals of these areas, but the overall system had not achieved the objectives taking into account the factors of the PAEA. In brief, the Commission’s findings were as follows: *The system was largely successful in achieving the goals related to the structure of the ratemaking system. However, the Commission concluded that the ratemaking system had not increased pricing efficiency. *The system had not maintained the financial health of the Postal Service as intended by the PAEA. While the Postal Service had generally achieved short-term financial stability, both medium-term and long-term financial stability measures had not been achieved. *High-quality service standards had not been maintained during the 10 years following the enactment of the PAEA.

J. C. Penney Company, Inc. announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas has confirmed the Company’s Plan of Reorganization to create separate property holding companies comprising 160 of the Company’s real estate assets and all of its owned distribution centers, which will be owned and operated by JCPenney’s DIP and First Lien Lenders. The PropCos are expected to complete the Court-supervised restructuring process and emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the first half of 2021. The Plan is pursuant to the Company’s asset purchase agreement with Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management, Inc. and the Company’s DIP and First Lien Lenders, supported by the Unsecured Creditors Committee. The APA also provides that Simon and Brookfield are acquiring JCPenney’s retail and operating assets. The PropCos and OpCo will enter into master leases with respect to the properties and distribution centers moved into the PropCos.

German media giant Bertelsmann said Wednesday that its Penguin Random House division is buying rival Simon & Schuster in a megadeal that would reshape the U.S. publishing industry. Penguin Random House, already the largest American publisher, will buy the New York-based Simon & Schuster, whose authors include Stephen King, Hillary Clinton and John Irving, from TV and film company ViacomCBS for $2.17 billion in cash. “Simon & Schuster strengthens Bertelsmann’s footprint globally, and (particularly) in the U.S., its second-largest market,” the Guetersloh, Germany-based company said in a statement. The purchase of Simon & Schuster would reduce the so-called Big Five of American publishing — which also includes HarperCollins, Hachette Book Group and Macmillan — to four.

The ACMA jointly filed comments with MPA - The Association of Magazine Media, and PostCom supporting the US Postal Service's proposal for estimating the volume variability of labor costs associated with the automated distribution of letters and flats. In the comments, the groups contend that it's time "to abandon the assumption that most mail processing activities are nearly 100-percent volume variable. That assumption lacks empirical support." Calling for the Postal Regulatory Commission to approve the USPS's costing proposal, the groups also urge the Commission to look beyond it and to hold the Postal Service accountable for rightsizing its flats sorting operations in response to volume declines.

Rolland President Philip Rundle speaks with Ivy Life & Style Media, whose niche publications and properties serve Virginia’s Charlottesville-Albemarle region and the nearby wine country. Jennifer Bryerton, co-publisher of Ivy and editor-in-chief of its Wine & Country Life magazine, talks about publishing in a local market, contributing to a sustainable community, and creating a cookbook that will feed businesses, farmers and people in a time of need. Ivy Life & Style Media is a lively small busines • Located in Ivy, Virginia, near Charlottesville, with a team of employees who create print and digital publications, provide media services, and run a boutique. • Publisher of community-oriented magazines and books under three popular brands: CharlottesvilleFamily, Charlottesville Welcome Book and Wine & Country. • Wine & Country Life, a 150-page magazine published twice a year, covers the lifestyle and culture in Virginia’s beautiful wine country. • Ivy Life & Style Media is a Virginia certified SWAM (small women-owned and minority-owned) business as well as a Certified Virginia Green Travel Partner.

Nordstrom, Inc. reported third quarter results, which reflected sequential improvement in sales and earnings relative to the prior quarter. The Company generated earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of more than $100 million, supported by improved merchandise margin trends and benefits from resetting its cost structure. Earnings per diluted share of $0.34 included an income tax benefit of $0.12 related to the CARES Act. For the third quarter ended October 31, 2020, net sales decreased 16 percent from last year and included a positive impact of approximately 10-percentage points due to the shift of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale from the second quarter to the third quarter this year. Digital sales of $1.6 billion accounted for 54 percent of Nordstrom's business.

Net sales were flat year-over-year, reflecting a 61% increase in online sales, offset by a 20% decline in store sales. Notably, 40% of the company’s sales were online in the third quarter. As noted during the company’s Investor Meeting, held in October 2020, the company aspires to achieve 50% of its sales from online by the end of 2023. Third quarter fiscal year 2020 comparable sales were up 5%, driven by the strength of Gap Inc.’s scaled ecommerce business, which added over 3.4 million new customers during the quarter. The comparable sales calculation reflects online sales and comparable sales days in stores that were open. Gross margin was 40.6%, a 160 basis point improvement versus last year. This improvement is consistent with the strategic focus outlined in last month’s Power Plan 2023 discussion of opening highly-profitable Old Navy and Athleta stores, while also closing select unprofitable Gap and Banana Republic stores, yielding significant rent and occupancy savings. In addition, a lower level of promotions contributed to higher product margins in the quarter. The benefits of lower rent and occupancy and higher product margin were partially offset by higher shipping expenses associated with the company’s growth in online sales. Operating income was $175 million or 4.4% of net sales.

Kohl’s is proud to have been named to the 2020 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America by S&P Global. This marks the third year in a row the company has received the designation for its sustainability performance and environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments. “The DJSI’s continued recognition of Kohl’s serves as a reliable indicator of the strength of our ESG stewardship initiatives,” said Steve Thomas, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer for Kohl’s. “We believe that incorporating sustainable solutions into the way Kohl’s conducts business will help to build better futures for our customers, our associates, and their families and we are pleased to be acknowledged for these efforts.”

Urban Outfitters, Inc. announced net income of $77 million and record earnings per diluted share of $0.78 for the three months ended October 31, 2020. For the nine months ended October 31, 2020, net loss was $27 million and loss per diluted share was $0.28. Total Company net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2020, decreased 1.8% over the same period last year to $970 million. Comparable Retail segment net sales were flat as a result of negative retail store sales driven by lower store productivity due to reduced store traffic, offset by strong double-digit growth in the digital channel. By brand, comparable Retail segment net sales increased 17% at Free People and 4% at Urban Outfitters and decreased 9% at the Anthropologie Group. Wholesale segment net sales decreased 24%. For the three months ended October 31, 2020, the gross profit rate increased by 79 basis points versus the prior year’s comparable period. Gross profit dollars increased 0.6% to $322.9 million from $321.1 million. For the nine months ended October 31, 2020, the gross profit rate decreased to 24.3% from 32.2% in the prior year’s comparable period. Net income for the three months ended October 31, 2020, was $77 million and earnings per diluted share was $0.78. Net loss for the nine months ended October 31, 2020, was $27 million and loss per diluted share was $0.28.

Recent highlights include: -Chico's FAS continued its evolution to a digital-first company, fast tracking several investments in innovative digital technology, leading to higher customer engagement and improved sales. -For the third quarter, total sales improved 14.8% from the thirteen weeks ended August 1, 2020 (the "second quarter"), driven by robust digital performance and rebounding store revenues. -Third quarter digital sales grew by double digits for the second quarter in a row. Year-over-year digital sales grew in all three brands, and Soma led the way with 67% growth compared to the thirteen weeks ended November 2, 2019 ("last year's third quarter"). -Soma achieved a 10.5% total comparable sales growth for the third quarter compared to last year's third quarter. -Total third quarter gross margin rate was up 740 basis points compared to the second quarter, reflecting a higher percentage of full-price selling on leaner inventory, reduced inventory write-offs and leverage of fixed occupancy costs.

Domestic Segment Q3 FY21 Results: Domestic revenue of $10.85 billion increased 21.0% versus last year. The increase was primarily driven by comparable sales growth of 22.6%, which was partially offset by the loss of revenue from permanent store closures in the past year. Domestic online revenue of $3.82 billion increased 173.7% on a comparable basis, and as a percentage of total Domestic revenue, online revenue increased to approximately 35.2% versus 15.6% last year. Domestic gross profit rate was 24.0% versus 24.3% last year. The gross profit rate decrease of approximately 30 basis points was primarily driven by higher supply chain costs as a result of the increased mix of online revenue and lower profit-sharing revenue from the company’s private-label and co-branded credit card arrangement. These pressures were partially offset by a more favorable promotional environment. International Segment Q3 FY21 Results: International revenue of $1.0 billion increased 25.4% versus last year. This increase was primarily driven by comparable salesgrowth of 27.3%, which was partially offset by the impact of approximately 140 basis points of negative foreign currency exchange rates. International GAAP gross profit rate was 19.0% versus 22.5% last year.

A summary of results for the third quarter ended October 31, 2020 as compared to the third quarter ended November 2, 2019: -Net sales of $820 million, down 5% as compared to last year, reflecting the adverse impact of COVID-19 on store sales. -Digital net sales increased 43% to $382 million reflecting robust growth in every month of the quarter. -Gross profit rate improved 390 basis points to 64.0% on higher average unit retail and lower average unit cost, benefiting from inventory shrink favorability of approximately 100 basis points and changes in foreign currency exchange rates of approximately 90 basis points. -Operating income improved to $59 million and $65 million on a reported and adjusted non-GAAP basis, respectively, as compared to $14 million and $25 million last year, on a reported and adjusted non-GAAP basis, respectively. -Generated positive operating cash flows of $63 million during the third quarter ended October 31, 2020, ending the quarter with $813 million of cash and equivalents and liquidity of approximately $1.2 billion.

Walmart is continuing to strengthen its in-house capability to deliver online orders. The discount giant is purchasing the talent, technology platform, and intellectual property of JoyRun, a Silicon Valley-based startup. JoyRun operates a peer-to-peer last-mile delivery platform which enables users to pick up and deliver items for friends and neighbors. JoyRun has built a network of more than 540 official retail partners, and more than 30,000 people have served as drivers or “runners” since the compny launched in 2015. According to Walmart, this acquisition allows it to further augment its delivery team and support ongoing efforts to explore more ways to deliver online orders in the future. In a LinkedIn post announcing the acquisition, Srini Venkatesan, executive VP of Walmart Global Tech, said that JoyRun runners could complement Walmart’s Spark program for independent delivery contractors, as well as third-party delivery providers such as Instacart.

The detail that has most captured industry members’ attention in the New York Times report that HarperCollins and Penguin Random House are the favorites to acquire Simon & Schuster is the news that the purchase price is expected to be at least $1.7 billion. That figure is at the top end of original estimates of $1.2 billion–$1.7 billion for the price of the country’s third-largest trade publisher. The sale of S&S will be the largest acquisition in North American trade publishing since HarperCollins bought Harlequin in 2014. It will also be one of the few recent transactions in which the revenue of the target company is public and the purchase price may also become public.

The Postal Service is pleased to announce that the 2021 Mailing Promotions Calendar has also been approved. As in prior years, promotions provide incentives and discounts to commercial mailers who use specific techniques and technologies in their mailings that can increase customer engagement and drive response rates. The techniques highlighted in the promotions include the use dynamic color, new print techniques, mobile technology, omnichannel experiences and the integration of emerging technologies. The 2021 Promotions are as follows: *Tactile, Sensory & Integrative Mailpiece Engagement; *Emerging and Advanced Technology; *Mobile Shopping; *Earned Value Reply Mail; *Personalized Color Transpromo; *Informed Delivery. The 2021 promotion calendar is posted on the PostalPro website at: https://postalpro.usps.com/promotions. All promotion requirements and further information are expected to be posted by the end of next week. Questions can be directed to the Mailing Services Program Office at mailingpromotions@usps.gov.

With all categories posting gains of at least 11%, unit sales of print books jumped 19.5% in the week ended Nov. 14, 2020, over the comparable week in 2019, at outlets that report to NPD BookScan. There were no new books that made a big splash in the week, with the overall increase due to strength in both backlist and frontlist titles. The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be by Joanna Gaines was the top new title, selling more than 43,000 copies and helping to lift unit sales in the adult nonfiction category by 11.9%. Unit sales rose 22.5% in adult fiction over the week ended Nov. 16, 2019. Michael Connelly’s The Law of Innocence was #1 in the category, selling more than 43,000 copies in its first week.

The Postal Regulatory Commission approved the price adjustments for the market dominant mail categories, including First Class, Marketing Mail, Periodicals, Package Services, and Special Services Products and related classifications. The new rates take effect on January 24, 2021. As we reported to the membership previously, the rate increase contains a provision for catalog postage costs to increase at 2% more than the Marketing Mail Class average. Since we have now exhausted our remedies with the PRC, we are left only with an attempt to appeal directly to Members of Congress about this ruling and seek interest in pushing for a review of this nonsensical demand. It is not curing the problem, and is in fact making it worse by driving more mail out of the system without addressing the root cause. ACMA is desperately seeking any company with employees or operations in any of the following zip codes: 20069 20070 20109 20110 20112 20119 20120 20121 20122 20124 20136 20137 20155 20156 20168 20169 20171 20181 20182 22003 22009 22015 22027 22030 22031 22032 22033 22035 22038 22039 22044 22060 22079 22081 22082 22102 22116 22118 22119 22120 22121 22124 22125 22150 22151 22152 22153 22156 22158 22159 22160 22161 22180 22181 22182 22183 22185 22191 22192 22193 22194 22195 22199 22308 22309 22312 Please search your contacts, customers, and prospects to see if you can give us the name(s) of companies in one of these zip codes. Rep. Gerry Connolly, from Virginia’s 11th District, which includes Fairfax County, Prince William County, and the City of Fairfax in Northern Virginia, and who is also Chairman of the subcommittee with postal oversight, has demonstrated interest in this matter. If we can find one or more constituents in Mr. Connolly's district, they will be of great help in getting Congressional visibility on the plight of catalog mailers and the poor management of the category by postal policy makers. ACMA will continue to work with USPS managers on flats cost reduction but increasing the pressure from Congress will help motivate officials to faster action. Send an email to action@catalogmailers.org to let us know if you identify any catalog interests in Mr. Connolly’s district.

Amazon announced 2020’s Best Books of the Year, selecting Brittany K. Barnett’s “A Knock at Midnight” as the top pick. The inspiring true story is a brilliant memoir of Barnett’s own journey navigating the criminal justice system, which also chronicles the stories of three of her clients. Their lives—including their crimes, their families, and their jail time—are rendered with such care and compassion that the Amazon Books Editors found it impossible to put down. The process of choosing the Best Books of the Year begins the year prior, as the Amazon Books Editors begin debating the list for January’s Best Books of the Month. The editors collectively read thousands of books each year in service of creating an editorially curated list and reviews each month. These monthly lists culminate in the Best Books of the Year, which includes an overall Top 100 for 2020 as well as top lists for individual genres like literature & fiction, mystery and thriller, children’s books, cookbooks, food & wine, and young adult—all to help customers find their next favorite book or thoughtful holiday gift pick.

The U.S. Postal Service made several leadership announcements, including the retirement of a top executive, the promotion of several other key leaders, and a series of functional alignments that aim to better position the organization to achieve operational excellence and financial stability. The changes include the announcement that David E. Williams, chief logistics and processing operations officer, intends to retire next year, capping a postal career that has spanned more than three decades. Other leadership appointments and structural modifications announced today include: *Isaac Cronkhite, who currently serves as chief human resources officer, will succeed Williams as chief logistics and processing operations officer. *Doug Tulino, labor relations vice president, will become chief human resources officer. *Katherine Attridge, collective bargaining and arbitration manager, will become labor relations vice president. *Tom Foti, product management executive director, will become product solutions vice president and report to Steve Monteith, who will become chief customer and marketing officer. *Marc McCrery, information technology vice president, will become technology applications vice president, and Bill Koetz, will serve as acting network and compute technology vice president. *Gary Reblin, product innovation vice president, will become innovative business technology vice president and report to Scott Bombaugh, who will become chief technology officer. *Linda Malone has been named engineering systems vice president after serving in the position in an acting basis since the summer. She will report to Bombaugh. *Simon Storey, employee resource management vice president, will become human resources vice president, and Jenny Utterback, human resources technology and innovation senior director, will become organization development vice president. *Jeff Adams has been named corporate communications vice president, a role he has served in an acting basis since the summer.

Whether it’s celebrating life’s special moments, showing how much we care for someone or ensuring our wishes are fulfilled, the importance of paper is felt in our lives in many ways. Beyond being part of our normal routine, paper has also played a pivotal role in changing the world. Here are some examples that demonstrate the importance of paper to civilizations throughout world history. 1. Gutenberg Bible; 2. The Federalist Papers; 3. The Gettysburg Address; 4. Anne Frank’s Diary; 5. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter From Birmingham Jail. click read more for details

Pearson, the world's leading learning company, today announces the creation of a new direct-to-consumer division as it looks to further strengthen its focus on building a direct relationship with learners around the world. The new division will be co-led by two senior executives: Ishantha Lokuge joined Pearson from Shutterfly last year and now steps up to the role of Chief Global Product Officer and Co-President, Direct-to-Consumer. Lynne Frank, most recently President of International Marketing and Worldwide Planning and Operations at Warner Bros. Pictures, joins Pearson as Chief Marketing Officer and Co-President – Direct-to-Consumer. Together, Ishantha and Lynne will lead the new division focused on direct-to-consumer products and channels, and will report to Andy Bird, Chief Executive.

The company reported earnings per share of $1.17 for the third quarter ended Oct. 31, 2020, compared to a loss per share of $0.91 for the quarter ended Nov. 2, 2019. Third quarter operating income was $580.6 million compared to an operating loss of $151.2 million last year, and net income was $330.6 million compared to a net loss of $252.0 million last year.

Third Quarter Highlights: *Positive EBITDA one quarter sooner than expected. *Strong liquidity position with approximately $1.6 billion in cash and approximately $3 billion of untapped capacity in the company’s asset-based credit facility. *Digital sales grew 27% over third quarter 2019. Digital sales penetrated at 38% of total owned comparable sales. *Comparable sales down 21.0% on an owned basis and down 20.2% on an owned plus licensed basis, due to continued stores recovery and continued growth of digital business. *Inventory down 29% from third quarter 2019. The company exited the quarter in a clean inventory position. *Gross margin of 35.6% compared to 23.6% in the second quarter of 2020, an improvement of approximately 12 percentage points. The improvement was driven by disciplined inventory management, better sell through of both full-price and clearance merchandise and lower clearance markdowns.

*Third quarter sales and earnings exceed company expectations, with significant improvement from the second quarter *Strengthened financial position during the quarter by fully repaying revolver and ending with $1.9 billion in cash *Strong operating cash flow year-to-date of $910 million *Third quarter comparable sales decrease 13.3% *Third quarter loss per share of ($0.08)

Gannett Co., Inc. announced that it has refinanced approximately $500 million of its 11.5% term loan, maturing in 2024, with 6.0% convertible notes due in 2027. The refinancing reduces the outstanding term loan to $1.118 billion. “We are pleased to announce the refinancing, which we believe has three key benefits,” said Michael Reed, Gannett Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “First, it generates significant savings, reducing our annual interest expense by approximately $28 million per year. These savings will be used to accelerate repayment of our term loan. Second, we believe that this refinancing paves the way for a refinancing of the remaining term loan by reducing the outstanding balance. And third, it extends the maturity of approximately $500 million of debt by three years. Since putting the term loan in place in November 2019, we have repaid over $175 million to date, and we expect to repay an additional $100 million in the coming months. Pro forma for these repayments, the outstanding term loan will be approximately $1 billion, which we believe we can refinance on attractive terms by the end of the first half of 2021. As we improve the Company’s capital structure, we are also seeing continued improvement in our revenue trends, which we expect will drive strong fourth quarter results.”

The United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) today of price changes to take effect Jan. 24, 2021. The proposed prices, approved by the Postal Service Governors, would raise Shipping Services product prices approximately 3.5 percent for Priority Mail service, and 1.2 percent for Priority Mail Express service. Shipping Services price increases vary by product. Although Mailing Services price increases are based on the consumer price index, Shipping Services prices are primarily adjusted according to market conditions. The Governors believe these new rates will keep the Postal Service competitive while providing the agency with needed revenue. The complete Postal Service price filings with prices for all products can be found on the PRC site under the Daily Listings section at prc.gov/dockets/daily. For the Shipping Services filing, see Docket No. CP2021-28. The price change tables are also available on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Pearson have announced a new collaboration to create educational products and services that will equip people with the necessary skills to thrive in an ever-changing global economy. Over the past decade, digitalisation, automation and artificial intelligence have reshaped industries and created new skillset requirements for workforces everywhere. These changing conditions have only accelerated in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic, where necessary public lockdowns and workplace closures have transformed the nature of work, education, and daily life. In this context, ICC and Pearson will work together to co-create educational programmes that will reskill workers in a rapidly developing global economy. At the same time, the partnership aims to empower companies to retrain and retain their employees and offer workers the opportunity to have their skills formally recognised through certificate programmes.

The Home Depot® reported sales of $33.5 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2020, an increase of $6.3 billion, or 23.2 percent from the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Comparable sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2020 were positive 24.1 percent, and comparable sales in the U.S. were positive 24.6 percent. Net earnings for the third quarter of fiscal 2020 were $3.4 billion, or $3.18 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $2.8 billion, or $2.53 per diluted share, in the same period of fiscal 2019. For the third quarter of fiscal 2020, diluted earnings per share increased 25.7 percent from the same period in the prior year.