After a federal judge blocked key parts of SF 496, Iowa’s anti-LGBTQ book banning law, last December, five more publishers—including all four remaining Big Five publishers—have now joined Penguin Random House on the joint lawsuit against the state as plaintiffs, to help defend against the state’s bid to lift the block on appeal. In a release this week, Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, and Sourcebooks announced that they have joined the initial plaintiffs, which included PRH, the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), four renowned authors (Laurie Halse Anderson, John Green, Malinda Lo, and Jodi Picoult), and a group of teachers and students. “We as publishers are uniting in our unwavering commitment to stand with educators, librarians, students, authors, and readers against the unconstitutional censorship measures being imposed by the state of Iowa," the publishers said in a joint statement.

Postmedia today announced the launch of a new app offering subscribers an integrated, streamlined and personalized experience, with seamless access to their preferred content across Postmedia’s brands. “Our readers have told us what they want and need in their online news and information experiences, and we’re delivering with the launch of our new app.” said Duncan Clark, Chief Content Officer at Postmedia. “The app combines a personalized experience with local curation and access to breaking news, as part of an intuitive design that makes it easier than ever to engage with our journalism.” Postmedia brands now available on both iOS and Android include: Montreal Gazette, Vancouver Sun, Calgary Herald, Ottawa Citizen, Edmonton Journal, The London Free Press, Regina Leader-Post, Saskatoon StarPhoenix, Windsor Star, National Post and Financial Post.

Introducing SupplyLand, a one stop solution for all your supply needs! Now sourcing business supplies is transformed into an exciting journey, far from the ordinary. Here’s What Sets Us Apart:Curated Selection: Explore our hand-picked assortment of packaging, cleaning, safety, and maintenance products. Swift Delivery: Our inventory is always ready to go, ensuring your orders are on their way to you without delay. Competitive Pricing: Tiered discount pricing. The more you buy, the more you save! Exclusive Perks: Orders of $150+ qualify for shipping savings and unique free swag gifts. It is not just shopping; it is gaining value with every purchase. More Than Supplies: At SupplyLand, we are injecting excitement into the procurement process. Do not take our word for it. Give us a try for yourself! Take 10% off your first order with Promo Code: PAPERCLIPS

Learning technology company HMH announced that three of its solutions have been honored in EdTech Digest’s 2024 EdTech Cool Tool Awards. HMH Read 180 was named the winner in the literacy/reading category. HMH was also named a finalist for two of its integrated solutions – English 3D and HMH Math 180. Presented by EdTech Digest, the EdTech Awards recognize people for outstanding contributions in transforming education through technology to enrich the lives of learners everywhere. HMH Read 180 was named winner in “Literacy/Reading Solution”: HMH Read 180 represents a blended learning solution meticulously designed to elevate literacy proficiency and cultivate a growth mindset in Grades 3--12. Functioning as an intervention program, it extends essential support to all students reading below grade level, encompassing those with disabilities, special education requirements, and multilingual learners.

Revenue for the quarter was $97.3 million as compared to $111.8 million in the same period in the prior year, representing a decrease of $14.5 million (13.0%). The revenue decrease was primarily due to decreases in advertising revenue of $11.3 million (20.8%) and circulation revenue of $4.1 million (11.1%), partially offset by increases in parcel revenue of $2.4 million (20.5%). Net loss in the quarter ended February 29, 2024 was $20.1 million, as compared to a net loss of $20.8 million in the same period in the prior year. The decrease in net loss was primarily the result of decreases in depreciation and restructuring expenses, as well as a decrease in foreign exchange losses, partially offset by an increase in operating loss before depreciation, amortization and restructuring, and a decrease in gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment, assets held-for-sale and other assets.

At Walmart Distribution Center 6020 in Brooksville, Florida, we’re used to pioneering new technology. In fact, 6020 was Walmart’s first high-tech DC. Once again, innovation is afoot in our facility, where associates have been working alongside a new autonomous forklift system that’s bolstering their skills and bettering their jobs while building our business. After a 16-month proof of concept, I’m proud to announce Walmart is taking another step into the future, rolling 19 autonomous forklifts across four high-tech DCs, with the potential for more as we evaluate the benefits to our associates and operations. I believe these benefits will be wide ranging. And I should know – I’ve seen them firsthand.

Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $23.48 billion for the retail month of March, the five weeks ended April 7, 2024, an increase of 9.4 percent from $21.46 billion last year. Net sales for the first 31 weeks were $146.64 billion, an increase of 6.4 percent from $137.77 billion last year.

The U. S. Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission of mailing services price changes to take effect July 14, 2024. The new rates include a 5-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 68 cents to 73 cents. The proposed adjustments, approved by the governors of the Postal Service, would raise mailing services product prices approximately 7.8 percent. If favorably reviewed by the commission, the price changes would include: U.S. Postal Service Recommends New Prices for July 2024: Product - Current Price - Planned Price: *Letters (1 oz.) - 68 cents - 73 cents; *Letters (metered 1 oz.) - 64 cents - 69 cents *Domestic Postcards - 53 cents - 56 cents; *International Postcards - $1.55 - $1.65; *International Letter (1 oz.) - $1.55 - $1.65.

O’Rourke Media Group, based in Gilbert, Arizona, has acquired Times Publishing Newspapers in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Times Publishing publishes Doylestown Observer, Fairless Focus, Langhorne Ledger, Morrisville Times, Newtown Gazette, Northampton Herald, New Hope News, Lower Southampton Spirit, Warwick Journal and Yardley Voice. These newspapers are delivered through the post office to over 120,000 households, 11 months per year. O’Rourke Media Group operates newspapers, websites and other publications in Delaware, Virginia and Vermont.

Learning technology company HMH has been named a finalist in nine categories for the 2024 CODiE Awards, including “Best Suite of Connected/Integrated Solutions” for its comprehensive core, intervention, assessment and professional learning offerings. Presented by the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the CODiE Awards honor excellence in leading technology products and services, with awards given to products demonstrating innovation, vision and overall industry impact. “At HMH, we are focused on simplifying educators’ lives and creating meaningful learning experiences that improve outcomes for all students,” said Jack Lynch, President and CEO, HMH. “We believe that transformative edtech prioritizes human connection and community by extending teachers’ capabilities so they can focus on what matters most—their students. We are honored to be recognized for our comprehensive and connected solutions.”

Every year, the U.S. goes through enough cardboard boxes for shipping to pave a one-mile-wide road from New York City to Los Angeles three times, or build a mile-high cardboard wall around the entire continental U.S. Getting rid of overreliance on Amazon.com's signature brown box is a key goal of the retail giant and its consumer partners, reports CNBC. In 2022, 11 percent of Amazon orders worldwide were sent in original manufacturer packaging. The company has yet to release its 2023 figure for the initiative designed to get rid of Amazon’s signature brown box, called the Ships in Product Packaging program. Total Retail's Take: The abundance of packaging needed to keep up with consumers' e-commerce purchases only continues to grow; however, more retailers and brands are now working to address the issue. Amazon initially launched the Ships in Product Packaging program in 2023 for vendors, and in February 2024 opened it to sellers. It identifies products that might work, contacts vendors and then, to ensure that packages won’t be damaged during delivery, Amazon works with those companies to test product packaging. Some companies that sell on Amazon say they will no longer develop new products that can’t be shipped without additional Amazon boxing.

The shortlist for the prestigious Newspaper and Magazine Awards (NME) has been announced, with two Bauer titles being nominated. Eclipse Mega Monthly Wordsearch is shortlisted for Newsstand Magazine of the Year – General for the second year in a row and Take a Break Puzzle Annual has been nominated for in the new category, Bookazine of the Year. With regards to the two nominations, John Simmonds, Publisher of Puzzles Titles comments “It’s amazing to have two titles from the puzzle portfolio shortlisted for this year’s NMA Awards. 2023 was a great year for our puzzle brands – a year in which Take a Break Puzzles became the biggest selling puzzle brand in the UK. Being nominated in these two categories is a reflection of the hard work of the teams involved, not just in these two titles, but across all of the portfolio.”

The digital media and entertainment industry has seen a 124% increase in subscribers since 2020. But that is overshadowed by digital publishing, which enjoyed a 536% increase in subscribers during the same time period, according to a new benchmarking report from Recurly. At the same time, churn rates have increased to 6.9% for digital media and entertainment, the result of subscription fatigue and increased competition. However, digital publishing experienced a 3.9% rate, probably because of less competition and higher brand loyalty.

In a Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2024, FedEx Corporation announced the agreement between FedEx Express and the United States Postal Service (“USPS”) for domestic transportation services will expire by its terms on September 29, 2024. This decision was made on March 29, 2024, following extensive discussions. FedEx and the United States Postal Service have had a long and productive relationship for more than 20 years. Over time, our respective strategies have shifted as we transform our networks and operations for the future. We have long said we would extend the contract with the USPS if we could agree to commercial terms in the best interests of FedEx shareholders. Although we were unable to reach mutually agreeable terms, we remain committed to delivering outstanding service through the completion of our contract in September.

UPS announced the company has been awarded a significant air cargo contract by the United States Postal Service (USPS). This award is effective immediately and greatly expands the existing relationship between the two organizations. Following a transition period, UPS will become the USPS’s primary air cargo provider and move the majority of USPS air cargo in the US. “Together UPS and USPS have developed an innovative solution that is mutually beneficial and complements our unique, reliable and efficient integrated network,” said UPS Chief Executive Officer Carol B. Tomé.

Sales of religious books at companies that report results to the Association of American Publishers’ StatShot program rose 7.8% last year over 2022, hitting $819.7 million. All formats expect e-books had an increase. The biggest gain was in trade paperback where sales increased 11.1%. Hardcover sales rose 6.7% and accounted for 60.1% of segment sales last year, roughly even compared to 2022. On the digital side, sales of digital audiobooks rose 8.5%, but e-book sales fell 3.3%.

The Commission’s primary areas of review, its findings, as well as recommendations and directives, include: The Commission finds that all workshare discounts in effect in FY 2023 were in compliance at the time they were introduced in rate adjustment proceedings based on the most recent avoided costs available at the time. The Commission finds the Periodicals class, and both products within it, were non-compensatory in FY 2023. Additionally, the Commission identifies the following non-compensatory products in compensatory classes: (1) USPS Marketing Mail Flats, (2) USPS Marketing Mail Carrier Route, and (3) Media Mail/Library Mail. The Commission notes that two classes were fully compensatory in FY 2023, with both the class and all products within the class covering attributable costs: First-Class Mail and Special Services. Taken together, the Postal Service lost $1.34 billion in FY 2023 from non-compensatory classes and products. The Commission’s review of Competitive products finds that revenues for four Competitive products with rates of general applicability did not cover attributable costs and, therefore, did not comply with 39 U.S.C. § 3633(a)(2). The Commission also finds that the Postal Service’s Interagency Agreements provided a net contribution to the Postal Service in compliance with 39 U.S.C. § 3704.