Meredith/Amex slashes staff, ends print of Departures and Centurion mags (nypost.com)

Last year was a bad one for newspaper staffs. A full 31% of papers with Sunday circulations of 50,000 or more experienced layoffs, and 11% had multiple rounds, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis. In contrast, 27% of papers saw layoffs in 2019, up from 18% in 2019. And many of them took hits. The largest papers — those with Sunday circ of 250,000 or more — were the hardest hit, with 55% suffering staff cuts. The year before, the pain was roughly similar across groups.

GAP INC. reported a third quarter fiscal year 2021 diluted loss per share of $0.40. Excluding fees associated with restructuring the company’s long-term debt and net charges related to strategic changes in its European operating model, adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.27. Additional information regarding adjusted diluted earnings per share, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided at the end of this press release along with a reconciliation of this measure from the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. The company’s third quarter fiscal year 2021 net sales of $3.9 billion were down 1% compared to 2019 with supply chain disruption driving an estimated 8 percentage point negative impact due to constrained inventory.1 The company remains focused on digital dominance through investing in its ecommerce platform, strategically closing unprofitable stores and partnering to amplify in international markets. Online sales grew 48% compared to the third quarter of 2019 and represented 38% of the total business, even as store traffic continues to rebound. Investments in technology are driving an enhanced online experience as the company accelerates its digital strategy. Third quarter comparable sales were up 5% versus 2019. The comparable sales calculation reflects online sales and comparable sales days in stores that were open.

Sales increased 20% to $433.6 million, compared to $362.6 million during the same period last year. Gross profit increased 7% to $222.4 million, or 51.3% of sales, compared to $207.0 million, or 57.1% of sales, in the third quarter of 2021. Selling, general, and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased 11% to $153.9 million, compared to $138.3 million in the third quarter of 2021. Operating income decreased slightly to $68.5 million, or 15.8% of sales, compared to $68.7 million, or 19.0% of sales during the prior year quarter. Net income decreased 14% to $45.5 million, or 10.5% of sales, compared to $53.0 million, or 14.6% of sales in the prior year quarter; Net income per diluted share decreased 13% to $0.52, compared to $0.60 per diluted share in the prior year quarter.