January online retail sales grow at much faster pace than total sales (digitalcommerce360.com)

The Book Manufacturers’ Institute (BMI) is bringing back its industry event Book Manufacturing Mastered. The 2022 version will be held Thursday September 15th at the Westin Chicago North Shore. The first event was held February 10–11, 2020 in New York City just prior to the pandemic. Book Manufacturing Mastered 2022 will feature a morning “Paper School” that will cover all things paper. As it is one of the, if not THE, top challenges facing the industry today, attendees will learn how it’s made to its different properties, to the impact it has on the environment. After a networking lunch, the afternoon panel featuring both publishers and manufacturers will give everyone a lay of the land as it stands today. Then attendees will have the chance for roundtable discussions with publishers, printers and suppliers about the top challenges facing the industry today and how they can be addressed. Lastly, the day will end with a networking cocktail reception that will feature tabletop exhibits from printers and suppliers to allow publishers in attendance to speak directly with those that help bring their ideas to print.

Shutterfly announced an agreement to acquire Spoonflower, a global marketplace connecting makers and consumers with artists worldwide, in an accretive acquisition for approximately $225 million of enterprise value subject to certain working capital and other adjustments. The acquisition will enable Shutterfly to more broadly serve the fast-growing home decor marketplace by adding Spoonflower wallpaper, fabric, linens, bedding and other home decor soft goods to its product assortment and connecting Shutterfly’s 21 million active users to Spoonflower’s artists and design community. The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2021. “We are excited to welcome Spoonflower to the Shutterfly family of brands,” said Hilary Schneider, Chief Executive Officer of Shutterfly. “Millions of consumers use Spoonflower to make and upload their own designs on premium fabric, wallpaper and home decor, ignite their entrepreneurial spirit by launching small businesses or express their personal style by shopping the marketplace of more than one million designs. Driven by its passionate creative community and a visionary management team, Spoonflower has also experienced explosive growth over the last 18 months amid the thriving DIY consumer movement. It’s a highly complementary strategic fit for Shutterfly and a win/win for consumers, employees, and members of our creative community alike.” 

The Arena Group on Monday announced it has finalized the acquisition of the multimedia content company AMG/Parade, whose brands include the iconic Sunday-newspaper magazine, Parade, as well as Relish and Spry Living. They will anchor The Arena Group’s new Lifestyle vertical and expand the Company’s Sports vertical. The Parade Media titles join Arena Group’s portfolio of 13 brands, including Sports Illustrated, TheStreet, HubPages, Fashionista, and Pet Helpful.