Publishers File Opposition Brief in Case Against Internet Archive for Blatant Scanning and Distribution of Literary Works on Industrial Scale

The company reported net sales of $2.755 billion for the second quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to sales of $2.890 billion for the second quarter ended July 30, 2016. The company reported a comparable sales decrease of 8 percent for the second quarter ended July 29, 2017. For the second quarter ended July 29, 2017, the exit of the swim and apparel categories had a negative impact of about 6 percentage points and 9 percentage points to total company and Victoria’s Secret comparable sales, respectively. The second quarter comparable sales decline of 8 percent was below the company’s expectations. Accordingly, the company’s guidance for the remainder of the year reflects a more conservative sales forecast than its previous guidance. The company updated its guidance for 2017 full-year earnings per share to $3.00 to $3.20 from $3.10 to $3.40 previously, and issued guidance for third quarter earnings per share between $0.25 and $0.30. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Amazon.com, Inc. announced plans to open two new fulfillment centers in Kansas. The new fulfillment centers, which are anticipated to launch in 2021, will together create over 1,000 new, full-time jobs with industry-leading pay and comprehensive benefits starting on day one. “We’re excited to continue our growth and investment across Kansas so we can better serve our customers throughout the state,” said Alicia Boler Davis, Amazon’s vice president of global customer fulfillment. “We are grateful for the strong support we’ve received from local and state leaders, and we look forward to ingraining ourselves in the communities in which we serve.”

The NRF called on lawmakers to pass bipartisan legislation introduced on Wednesday that would require congressional approval of “Section 232” tariffs. This includes the steel and aluminum tariffs recently imposed by the Trump administration, and any additional tariffs in the future. The legislation was introduced by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), and a bipartisan group of senators. The proposed tariffs have triggered widespread retaliation against United States exports. The administration is also considering tariffs on automobiles and auto parts. Click Read More below for additional information.