White House Announces New Position to Combat Book Bans

Barnes & Noble, Inc. reported holiday sales for the nine-week holiday period ending December 30, 2017. Total sales for the holiday period were $953 million, declining 6.4% as compared to the prior year. Comparable store sales also declined 6.4% for the holiday period, while online sales declined 4.5%. Entering December, the Company was encouraged by the comparable store sales improvements throughout the second quarter and into November. Click Read More below for additional information.

J. C. Penney Company, Inc. announced financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended Oct. 28, 2017. Total net sales decreased (1.8) % to $2.81 billion in the third quarter compared to $2.86 billion in the same period last year, primarily the result of the 139 stores closed this year through the end of the third quarter. Comparable sales increased 1.7 % for the third quarter, resulting in a positive two-year stack of 0.9 %. For the third quarter, the Company's net loss was ($128) million, or ($0.41) per share, compared to a net loss of ($67) million, or ($0.22) per share in the same period last year. This reduction was driven in large part by increased cost of goods sold, restructuring charges associated with the store closures and a charge related to settlement accounting on the Company's pension plan. Click Read More below for additional information.

This temporary price adjustment is to help cover extra handling costs to ensure a successful peak season. The planned peak-season pricing, which was approved by the governors of the Postal Service on Aug. 8, would affect prices on the following commercial and retail domestic competitive parcels: Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM) and USPS Ground Advantage. No other products or services would be affected. Pending favorable review by the PRC, the temporary rates would go into effect at midnight Central on Oct. 6 and remain in place until midnight Central on Jan. 19, 2025. This seasonal adjustment will bring prices for the Postal Service’s commercial and retail customers in line with competitive practices.