March Bookstore Sales Increased 3.5%

The United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission of a temporary price change to take effect Oct. 18, 2020. The planned temporary price adjustments are in response to increased expenses and heightened demand for online shopping package volume due to the coronavirus pandemic and expected holiday ecommerce. As a result of these changing market conditions, the Postal Service is planning a time-limited price increase on all commercial domestic competitive package volume from Oct. 18 until Dec. 27, 2020. Retail prices and international products will be unaffected. The planned price increase would go into effect at 12:00AM Central on Oct.18, 2020 and remain in place until 12:00AM Central Dec. 27, 2020.

Specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op today announced its lineup of 2025 store openings as part of the company’s efforts to support the active lifestyles of its membership and outdoor communities. Stores will open in six communities next spring and summer, including the California cities of Carlsbad, Chico and Elk Grove as well as in Amherst, New York; Durango, Colorado; and Lynnwood, Washington. The company also shared its intent to open in Prosper, Texas in 2026, which joins a previously announced St. George, Utah store. Additional stores for 2026 will be announced as leases are finalized. “Our store employees are the heart of the co-op, and they welcome everyone to experience our product expertise, resources and inspiration in support of an active lifestyle,” said Mary-Farrell Tarbox, REI vice president of Stores. “Cities that will have new stores represent communities that serve as a gateway to some of the country’s most incredible natural places and where our members currently live or destinations where they love to play outside.”

As stamps increase yet again with additional rate hikes planned in the coming months, Keep US Posted, an alliance consisting of consumer interests, industry groups, newspapers, nonprofits and businesses, is calling on USPS regulators to take action. The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) is accepting comments in response to concerns from Congress about the multiple postage hikes planned in Louis DeJoy’s “Delivering for America” plan. In its comments, Keep US Posted urged the Postal Regulatory Commission to fulfill its role as a watchdog for the public, rather than allow unnecessary postage rate increases to keep happening. The organization points out that several factors, including the new postal reform law (The Postal Service Reform Act), have changed the financial outlook for USPS and demand that the Postal Regulatory Commission review DeJoy’s proposed rate increases again.