August 2025 - Midland Paper

Report: Back-to-school item prices up nearly 10% in July

Online prices on back-to-school staples are up while discounts from brands are down this year, putting consumers in a difficult position. That’s according to the latest same-site sales data data from e-commerce platform Klaviyo, which revealed that year over year, the typical price paid for back-to-school items in July was up nearly 10%. Apparel and accessories saw the sharpest increase at 9% as tariff uncertainty led to increased costs. After a dip in the first quarter of the year, average selling prices (ASPs) on back-to-school items have risen every month since April.

Valmet to supply two papermaking lines to a customer in China

Valmet is to supply two fine papermaking lines with related automation systems and services to a customer in China. The papermaking lines will produce uncoated woodfree grades and start-ups are scheduled from late 2026 to early 2027. Valmet has previously delivered multiple other technologies such as complete paper and board making lines to the same customer. The orders were included in Valmet's orders received of the second quarter 2025. The value of the orders will not be disclosed. “Both new, wide, high-speed paper machines feature some of the most advanced technologies available on the market, ensuring high capacity and performance. These orders are very important to us and indicate that the technologies we have delivered to the same customer before have performed well. This is a highly significant customer, as well as a strategic partner for Valmet in China.

AAA Fuel Gauge Report

August 21, 2025
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Key Currency Exchange Rates

August 21, 2025
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Gas Prices Go Down, but How Low Will They Go?

August 21, 2025
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WASHINGTON, DC – As gas prices keep falling this summer, the big question is how low will they go? This past week, AAA reports the national average for a gallon of regular fell three cents to $3.13. You’d have to go back to 2020 for a lower national average on August 21 – that day the price was $2.18. With gas prices for this day the lowest they’ve been in 5 years, some are wondering if the national average will go below $3 a gallon in the coming weeks. There are too many variables to make a prediction; the oil market is too volatile. But if crude oil prices remain low and barring any major geopolitical events or tropical storms hitting the Gulf Coast, it’s safe to say drivers could continue to see cheaper prices at the pump as summer winds down.

International Paper Announces Strategic Changes-Sale, Conversion and Shut Downs

International Paper has reached a definitive agreement with American Industrial Partners (AIP) to sell its Global Cellulose Fibers (GCF) business for $1.5 billion, subject to closing adjustments, including the issuance of preferred stock with an aggregate initial liquidation preference of $190 million. The Company previously announced the decision to review strategic alternatives for its GCF business last fall, as part of the Company's strategy to focus on sustainable packaging solutions. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year, subject to regulatory approvals. The GCF business creates safe, high-quality pulp for a wide range of applications like towel and tissue products, diapers, feminine care, incontinence and other personal care products that promote health and wellness. In addition, its specialty pulp serves as a sustainable raw material used in construction materials, paints, coatings and more. GCF generated $2.8 billion in revenue in 2024 and has 3,300 employees globally, with nine manufacturing facilities and eight regional offices. Strategic changes to Packaging Solutions business in North America International Paper's packaging business in North America has initiated a number of actions to enhance its ability to serve and grow with customers while improving its manufacturing footprint, including: Investment of $250 million to convert the #16 machine at the Riverdale mill in Selma, Ala. to produce containerboard The permanent closure of the Savannah, Ga. containerboard mill, the Savannah, Ga. packaging facility, Riceboro containerboard mill and Riceboro Timber and Lumber These changes will impact approximately 1,100 hourly and salaried positions. International Paper is committed to supporting affected employees through this transition. The Riverdale conversion is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2026. The Riceboro and Savannah mills will shut down in phases by the end of September 2025, and the Savannah packaging facility will also cease operations by the end of September. These combined changes will result in a net reduction of the company's annual containerboard capacity by approximately one million tons.

Walmart revenue grows as it works to absorb tariff hikes

While Walmart contends with rising costs related to tariffs, its second quarter revenue grew 4.8% year over year to $177.4 billion, the company announced Thursday. In the U.S., Walmart’s net sales also improved 4.8%, reaching $120.9 billion, while comps were up 4.6%. The impact of tariffs remained the topic of conversation during Walmart’s Q2 earnings call. “With regard to our U.S. pricing decisions, given tariff-related cost pressures, we’re doing what we said we would do,” Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon told analysts on a call Thursday. “We’re keeping our prices as low as we can for as long as we can. Our merchants have been creative and acted with urgency to avoid what would have been additional pressure for our customers and members.” Though the impact of tariffs “has been gradual enough that any behavioral adjustments by the customer have been somewhat muted,”

A fire is burning in one of the world’s tallest trees. It may lower the tree’s standing in global height rankings.

Portland, Ore. — Authorities in Oregon are trying to extinguish a fire burning in one of the world's tallest trees, near the state's southern coast. The Doerner Fir, a coastal Douglas Fir tree over 325 feet tall and estimated to be over 450 years old, has been burning since Saturday in Coos County in Oregon's Coast Range. An infrared drone flight on Tuesday showed no active flames or smoke at the top of the tree, but it detected heat within a cavity in the tree's trunk some 280 feet up, federal Bureau of Land Management spokesperson Megan Harper said. Figuring out how to approach the tree from the side to douse the cavity with water has been a challenge, Harper said. Various options have been discussed, including building scaffolding or climbing adjacent trees for better positioning, or letting it smolder and monitoring to see if it reignites. The fire may impact the tree's standing in global height rankings, Harper said. "We've lost about 50 feet of it, just from fire and pieces falling out," she said, noting that the 50 feet were lost through the top burning. "So I don't know where it'll stand after this, but it's still a magnificent tree."

Quad announces strategic partnership with Scandinavian Designs

Quad/Graphics, Inc., a marketing experience company that solves complex marketing challenges for its clients, today announced it has been selected as agency of record (AOR) by Scandinavian Designs, a nationwide retailer of modern home furnishings. This strategic collaboration reflects Scandinavian Designs’ decision to consolidate its creative and media strategy, planning and execution under one agency, choosing Quad for its integrated marketing solutions, commitment to data transparency and proven success among retail brands. Quad will work with Scandinavian Designs to help the brand grow its e-commerce footprint, bring the furniture shopping experience to the home through a revival of its catalog and help build its brand equity across the United States. With store locations in more than 50 U.S. markets, Scandinavian Designs is tapping Quad to streamline its brand experience through an integrated purchasing journey that makes direct connections with consumers at home, online or in a physical store.

Penske Demands That Staffers Working Offsite Return To The Office

Penske Media Corp. reportedly has warned offsite workers that they must return to the office for at least four days per week or risk termination. A memo sent last week by owner Jay Penske gave employees until October 4 to decide whether they will comply. But those who do not will be eligible for severance benefits, Status reports. Penske owns such publications as Billboard, Rolling Stone, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline. “At a time we need to be solving problems faster, we find ourselves foregoing quick ad hoc brainstorming meetings, taking longer to find workable meeting times, and seeing uneven engagement from remote participants,” Penske said, according to Status.

Bringing free education tools to 100 million people

We’re excited to celebrate a truly special moment in our journey: 100 million teachers, students, and education administrators now use Canva every month. Behind that number are incredibly powerful stories of creativity and opportunity worldwide. When we launched Canva Education in 2019, our goal was simple: to give every teacher and student free access to intuitive, powerful tools that make learning more visual, collaborative, and creative. We’ve always believed visual communication is a core skill, that creativity belongs in every classroom, and that budget or geography should never be a barrier. Today, that mission is alive in over 190 countries, across more than 800,000 schools, and 16,000 districts – and it’s growing fast. From classrooms in rural towns to Ministries of Education rolling out Canva at scale, this milestone reflects a global education community that’s embracing change, empowering learners, and reimagining what teaching and learning can look like.

REI announces Labor Day Sale event with savings for savoring the season

As Labor Day approaches, REI Co-op is celebrating the spirit of the holiday by helping people take a well-earned break outdoors. The sale event runs August 22 through September 1, offering deep discounts on gear and apparel to help outdoor enthusiasts savor the season. Whether you're sending off summer with one last hurrah or ushering in fall with your favorite autumnal tradition, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to save on top-quality gear. The sale features deals across key outdoor activities including hiking, camping, and cycling. Shoppers can expect savings on trusted brands and REI Co-op exclusives.

Ace Hardware on track to open 175 new stores by end of 2025

Ace Hardware is marching forward with store expansion. The Illinois-based hardware retail has opened 100 new stores so far this year, and is on pace to open more than 175 new locations by the end of 2025. Over the past five years, Ace has opened more than 930 new stores as it continues to expand its presence nationwide. The chain operates almost 5,200 retail stores in the United States. Ace says its new store growth is fueled by a blend of existing retailers opening additional locations, competitor stores converting to the brand, and new entrepreneurs joining the cooperative for the first time.

Novolex closing Pactiv Evergreen plant in California, affecting 127 employees

Novolex is shutting down a former Pactiv Evergreen plant in Bakersfield, California, according to a WARN notice posted by the state. The company is permanently closing the manufacturing facility come Oct. 14, impacting 127 employees. The news follows Novolex completing its $6.7 billion acquisition of Pactiv Evergreen in April, which took the purchased company private. Novolex is majority-held by private equity firm Apollo Funds and manufactures food, beverage and specialty packaging, primarily focused on fiber and plastic substrates.

Containerboard price-fixing lawsuit advances

Meanwhile, industry observers keep tabs on whether the U.S.’ largest containerboard producers will try to raise prices again amid the ongoing antitrust lawsuit. The class-action antitrust lawsuit that a customer brought against eight of the largest containerboard producers in the United States is progressing. Industry observers and analysts are keeping tabs on whether the companies in question try for another price increase this year despite the lawsuit. In July, Artuso Pastry Foods Corp. filed a complaint in a federal court in Illinois accusing containerboard manufacturers of creating a “cartel” and colluding in a price-fixing scheme during a series of seven price increases from November 2020 to the present. The defendants include Cascades, Georgia-Pacific, Graphic Packaging International, Greif, International Paper, Packaging Corporation of America, Pratt Industries and Smurfit Westrock.

Metsä Board starts installation phase of board machine modernisation at Simpele mill – MetsäBoard Classic FBB renewed to meet growing quality and sustainability demands

Metsä Board, a leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards, will begin the installation phase of a major board machine modernisation at its Simpele mill this September as part of a €60 million investment programme. The investment will elevate the quality of the flagship folding boxboard grade MetsäBoard Classic FBB and accelerate the mill’s transition toward fossil-free production. The renewed MetsäBoard Classic FBB will feature curtain coating technology, resulting in an improved print surface and enhanced visual quality. This innovation enables more consistent print results and sharper details, especially in demanding packaging applications. Currently, 89% of the energy used in production at the Simpele mill is fossil-free. With the implementation of new technologies, this figure is expected to rise to 98% by the end of 2025, marking a significant milestone in Metsä Board’s journey toward fossil-free production and supporting customers’ increasingly ambitious sustainability goals.

Why the global plastics talks collapsed — and what’s next

One significant sticking point: the refusal of plastic-producing nations, including the U.S., to agree to production limits. Government negotiators failed to agree on a global treaty governing plastics after oil-producing countries balked at production limits and chemical phaseout timelines. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee that has shepherded the process through six meetings since March 2022 is promising to try again, but no date was set for future talks. First, it is up to the United Nations to identify a host country. The failure to create a global treaty leaves businesses — both plastics producers and companies heavily dependent on the material — to face an emerging mosaic of national and subnational regulations aimed at addressing the life cycle of the more than 460 million tons of plastic produced annually. The cumulative cost of the attendant fees is estimated to more than double between 2026 and 2040, surpassing $576 billion. That compares with approximately $279 billion under a global treaty, according to the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WWF.

Total U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Shipments Increased 5% in July 2025

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the July 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly report. According to the report, total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in July increased 5% compared to July 2024. They were down 1% when compared to the same seven months of 2024. The unbleached operating rate increased to 86.3%, its second highest level over the last 15 months. Bleached food wrapping shipments were up 15% from last July, and 9.6% year-to-date. Inventories were up 8.1% from the same month last year.

Seaman Paper Introducing SatinWrap Floral

Seaman Paper is proud to announce the launch of SatinWrap® Floral, a premium extension of its popular SatinWrap® product line, designed specifically for florists and floral packaging distributors. This new line features 14 premium in-stock colors and 6 curated print & color assortments, combining style and performance to protect floral arrangements while elevating brand presentation. "With SatinWrap® Floral, we’re making it even easier for florists and distributors to access high-quality, moisture-resistant waxed tissue paper that looks as beautiful as the flowers it protects,

Successful start-up of Sappi North America’s rebuilt board machine PM 2

Sappi North America and Valmet celebrated the successful start-up of the rebuilt paper machine 2 (PM 2) at the Somerset paper manufacturing facility in Skowhegan, Maine, USA. The machine produced its first roll of solid bleached sulphate (SBS) board, marking a key milestone in Sappi’s strategic transition to packaging grades. "Following the success of Project Balance, the PM 1 rebuild project in 2018, we did it again with Project Elevate. The sustainable conversion of PM 2 has transformed it into a modern state-of-the-art board machine. This achievement is a testament to excellent collaboration and incredible teamwork. We are grateful to the entire Somerset team, our valuable partners, and all the Valmeteers involved for their hard work on a complex project,” adds Tuomo Rämö, Project Manager, Valmet. Technical information about the delivery Valmet’s delivery included a rebuild of the wet end with a new OptiPress Linear press section, modifications and extension of the dryer section, and a new finishing section. The finishing section was equipped with the OptiSizer Film size press, two OptiCoat Roll coating heads, OptiDry Coat air dryers, OptiCalender Hard calender, OptiReel Linear reel, and the OptiWin Belt winder.

Home Depot sales up nearly 5% in Q2, reaffirms full-year outlook

The Home Depot’s second quarter net sales increased nearly 5% year over year to $45.3 billion, the company reported Tuesday. Comparable sales increased 1% and were up 1.4% in the U.S. xecutives on Tuesday said consumers are focused on smaller projects right now, while there’s less engagement in larger discretionary projects, which carry a higher ticket amount. That’s in part “thanks to a housing market that remains in decline,” according to GlobalData Managing Director Neil Saunders. Home sales were down 1.9% year over year in the quarter.

Kruger suspends Corner Brook Pulp & Paper operations for 3 weeks due to Canada wildfires

Fastmarkets reports that Kruger has temporarily stopped operations at its Corner Brook pulp and paper mill in Newfoundland and Labrador, eastern Canada, due to wildfire emergency measures introduced by provincial authorities in areas facing very high and extreme fire risk. The company suspended its Corner Brook forest operations on Saturday August 9 and stopped pulp and paper mill operations on August 15 owing to limited . Kruger expects the mill to be closed until the end of August or beginning of September. The mill is a newsprint producer with 230,000 tonnes per year of capacity that primarily serves customers in Europe and Asia.

Stora Enso’s billion-euro investment in renewable packaging – Europe’s most modern consumer board production line inaugurated in Finland

The largest and most modern consumer packaging board production line in Europe was inaugurated on 18 August in Oulu, Finland. The new line was inaugurated by Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo, Chair of Stora Enso’s Board of Directors Kari Jordan, President and CEO of Stora Enso Hans Sohlström, and Oulu mill’s Chief Shop Steward Olli-Pekka Kaikkonen. Stora Enso's Oulu unit serves the growing demand for renewable packaging globally and contributes to the transition to a circular bioeconomy. At the same time, the production site supports Finland's competitiveness and increases exports with products of higher added value. Stora Enso has invested EUR 1.1 billion in the now inaugurated production line together with other developments on the site area, amounting to a total of approximately 1.7 billion investment in the entire Oulu mill in 2019–2025. The investments have made it possible to convert former paper machines into board lines utilising the latest technology, while the environmental impact has been reduced by cutting fossil carbon dioxide emissions by 90%. The mill produces folding boxboard, kraftliners, paper bag material, and unbleached softwood pulp. Board materials are suitable for direct contact with food. Almost all of the Oulu mill’s production is exported.

Report: Texas leading nation in retail real estate construction

Migration to the Lone Star State is driving a retail construction boom. That’s according to new data from commercial real estate services firm Colliers, which found that between January 2021 and January 2025, Texas recorded a positive net domestic migration of 0.9%. Although construction slowed in 2020 amid pandemic-driven uncertainty, by early 2025, more than 17 million sq. ft. was under construction, with growth fueled by the state’s largest cities of Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio. Colliers notes that the Texas retail boom contrasts with the national landscape, where construction activity remains historically low. Just 6 million sq. ft. of retail space was delivered nationwide in the second quarter of 2025, bringing total space under construction to 47.9 million sq. ft.

Beyond Inc. changing name again in new rebranding effort

Beyond Inc., which owns Overstock, Buy Buy Baby and Bed Bath & Beyond, is changing its formal company name, rebranding to Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. The move comes two years after Overstock.com Inc. paid $21.5 million for some of the previous iteration of Bed Bath & Beyond’s assets and intellectual property. Shortly after the acquisition, Overstock.com Inc. rebranded to Beyond Inc. With the new rebranding decision, Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. will begin trading under the ticker symbol BBBY on the New York Stock Exchange, effective Aug. 29, according to the company. Beyond Inc. reported in July that it had grown revenue in its fiscal Q2 compared to Q1 in 2025. However, its Q2 revenue still decreased year over year. President and chief financial officer Adrianne Lee attributed Beyond’s improvement over Q1 to seasonal average order value (AOV) improvement and the number of orders it delivered. AOV increased $25, while delivered orders grew 8%.

Ferrero’s WK Kellogg buyout

Will Ferrero’s WK Kellogg buyout affect packaging? Ferrero Group’s pending $3.1-billion acquisition of WK Kellogg will give it access to Big K’s brands, including manufacturing, marketing, and distribution resources in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. It’s a supply chain plan that broadens its economies of scale for greater shared resources everywhere. This could include packaging efficiencies across the board, including procurement, production operations, logistics, product innovation, and even sustainable packaging. On the latter, Ferrero’s collaboration with Milliken to develop clear, lightweight, recyclable polypropylene packaging for its premium Ferrero Roche candies.

USPS Catalog Insights Promotion is now open for registration

August 17, 2025
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USPS registration is now open for catalog mailers to participate in the new Catalog Insights promotion. This provides a 10% postage discount on mailings from 10/1/25 to 6/30/26. Double digit discount Get a massive 10% discount! Save an additional 1% each, with the Informed Delivery and Sustainability add-on promotions. No minimum quantity requirements While the USPS mail growth incentive requires year over year quantity increases and a 1MM minimum, this promotion has no minimums. Instant gratification Discount is applied when postage is paid. No credits to save and use later. Check out the MIDLAND one sheet to get the details and reach out to us for support and questions on this amazing opportunity. https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7362154190812426242

Amcor considers divesting North American beverage business

The company is redefining its “core portfolio’ after acquiring Berry. Since finalizing that deal, Amcor has cut roles and begun closing some sites, and has hit some unexpected snags in North America. North American beverage business: During the quarter there were “operating challenges” at multiple high-volume sites, which resulted in higher freight and labor costs, executives explained. The $1.5 billion business now has “new and focused management” addressing challenges. “I’m going to say it very loud and clear: We’re not happy with the performance of the North American beverage business in the fourth quarter,” Konieczny said. Customers faced service issues. “Flexing our capacities with volumes is something that we’re very, very familiar with,” but clearly the business tried to do too much of that, he said. Downsizing: Over the next few quarters, Amcor will work to stabilize and strengthen North American beverage business performance “before exploring alternatives,” Konieczny said. Across the company, Amcor reported that it has already cut approximately 200 roles since the acquisition was finalized in April. It has also closed one site and initiated the closure of four others. In addition to North American beverage, it’s also identified other less-aligned areas, including “smaller businesses with combined sales of ~$1 billion.” Possible outcomes might include divestitures, restructuring or joint venture ownership models.

CEO confidence rises as recession fear dips; top concerns are…

Confidence among U.S. chief executives shot up during the third quarter as trade fears eased. The Conference Board's Measure of CEO Confidence in collaboration with The Business Council rose to 49 in the third quarter, up 15 points from 34 In the second quarter. (A reading below 50 reflects more negative than positive responses.) The survey, which also gauges CEOs' expectations about future actions their companies plan on taking in capital spending, employment, recruiting and wages, was fielded from July 14-28. All three components of the index improved from deep pessimism to near neutral, with CEOs' views on current economic conditions making the sharpest recovery. Their six-month expectations for the economy as a whole and in their own industries also improved. Fear of recession within the next 12 to 18 months fell to 36% in the third quarter from 83% in the previous one. CEOs ranked geopolitical instability and cyber threats as top concerns for their industry, while concerns about trade and tariffs eased somewhat.

Solenis to Showcase Sustainable Paper and Packaging Solutions at FACHPACK 2025 and PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2025

Solenis, a leading global provider of water and hygiene solutions, is exhibiting at two key industry tradeshows, where it will highlight technology to enable paperization through chemistry for sustainable packaging. The company will be exhibiting at FACHPACK in Nuremberg, Germany, Sept. 23-25, and at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, Sept. 29-Oct. 1. Flexographic applied barrier coatings: Packaging producers can apply these eco-friendly, high-performance barrier coatings directly to cupstock board, flexible packaging, flat sheet paper and liners for corrugated using standard flexographic equipment during the printing process. Developed in conjunction with HEIDELBERG, this cost-effective process eliminates the need for separate offline coating steps while reducing the use of plastic-based coatings or wax treatments. PHA-based coatings: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) coatings, which are made with biodegradable bioplastic, replace petroleum-based options. Made to work with flexographic and extrusion processes, the water-based solutions degrade in both marine and fresh water and are home compostable. TopScreenTM cupstock barrier coatings: These eco-friendly coatings replace PE lamination on single-use and short-duration cupstock. Applied with standard coating and cup-forming equipment, they deliver the same performance and printability as traditional barrier coatings. ContourSM technology for molded pulp: Oil and grease resistant, Contour is formulated for molded pulp plates, bowls, tubs and trays in low- to mid-temperature applications. This technology offers a cost-competitive, easy-to-implement solution without intentionally added PFAS.

Talks on global plastic pollution treaty adjourn without consensus

Following 10 days of negotiations, Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) talks to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, adjourned early on 15 August without consensus on a text of the instrument. The Committee agreed to resume negotiations at a future date to be announced. The meeting adjourned with a clearly expressed desire by Member States to continue the process, recognizing the significant difference of views between states. “This has been a hard-fought 10 days against the backdrop of geopolitical complexities, economic challenges, and multilateral strains. However, one thing remains clear: despite these complexities, all countries clearly want to remain at the table.

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AAA Fuel Gauge Report

August 14, 2025
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Key Currency Exchange Rates

August 14, 2025
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UPM to close Fletcher label plant in mid-2026, move new production to Mills River facility

Fastmarkets reports that UPM Adhesive Materials is planning to close its Fletcher, North Carolina, label facility in the second quarter of 2026, and transfer all orders from the Fletcher plant to its Mills River facility, where production will be upgraded and increased significantly. The company is investing in new proprietary coating technology at the Mills River factory which enables it to increase capacity.

The state of retail returns

The state of returns in retail Returns are a critical and increasingly costly aspect of modern retail, with the volume of returns reaching nearly the $1 trillion mark in 2024. Retailers are rethinking return policies to strike a balance between protecting margins and evolving customer expectations. Returns — and their challenges — are rising. Here’s how retailers are responding. Nearly 40% of consumers return an online purchase ‘at least’ once a month How return policies fit into retail customer experience

Industry leaders reunite to drive growth for Rise, Quad’s media agency

Quad/Graphics, Inc., a marketing experience company that solves complex marketing challenges for its clients, has appointed Kristin “KJ” Jones and Evan Hughes as Senior Vice Presidents at Rise, a Quad agency. Building on a long-standing rapport and deep industry experience, Jones and Hughes now lead integrated teams together at Rise, focused on transforming the go-to-market approach for clients. Their work will combine their extensive agency experience with the power of Quad’s proprietary household-based data stack and omnichannel media solutions to help brands connect with target audiences through intelligent segmentation, modeling, testing and measurement. This unique data capability gives Rise and Quad a differentiated position in the market and unlocks greater value for clients. Both executives report to Joshua Lowcock, Quad President of Media. “KJ and Evan are exactly the kind of leaders Rise was built for: agile, transparent, and results-focused,” Lowcock said. “In an industry that is often opaque and unnecessarily complex, Rise delivers measurable value to clients with speed, smarts, and scruples.

Female shoppers slowing discretionary purchasing at faster rate than men

Female shoppers are spending less than their male counterparts. During the first half of 2025, year-over-year demand for discretionary products among women fell flat, while unit sales from men were up 3%, according to Circana. Female discretionary spending grew 1% during the same period, while male spending rose 2%. The firm noted that discretionary spending has been challenged by elevated prices across retail food and beverage, non-edible consumer packaged goods and general merchandise “Female consumers are critical to retail performance, representing more than half of annual spending, and those purchase decisions,” said Marshal Cohen, chief retail industry analyst for Circana. “Shifts in spending behavior among female consumers reveal signs of broader consumer changes brewing.” Women seem to be opting for purchases that allow them to spruce things up, rather than a bigger ticket spend. Between January and June 2025, the majority of the pullback in spending among female shoppers impacted furniture, apparel, juvenile products and housewares.

Konica Minolta Introduces Paper Solutions Business Unit

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. announced the formation of Konica Minolta Paper Solutions, a dedicated business unit delivering a comprehensive portfolio of paper products to customers across industries and around the world. The launch follows a strategic decision by parent company Konica Minolta, Inc. (KMI) to divest its shares in Konica Minolta Marketing Services Holding Limited (KMMS). As part of the transition, the paper division was excluded from the sale and is now fully integrated within Konica Minolta’s North American operations. Harris Atkins, a respected industry leader with more than 30 years of experience, has been appointed President of Konica Minolta Paper Solutions and will join the company’s executive leadership team. Most recently, Atkins served as President and CEO for KMMS in North America.

Port of Los Angeles broke a century-old record as tariff threats triggered import surge

The July container volumes for the Port of Los Angeles tell the tale of the Trump tariff impacts. The front-loading of Chinese goods ahead of the tariff deadline pushed container volumes at the Port of Los Angeles to levels it has never seen in its 117-year history. The port processed 1,019,837 twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEUs, in July. Imports came in at 543,728,000 TEUs, also a record. "Shippers have been frontloading their cargo for months to get ahead of tariffs and recent activity at America's top port really tells that story," said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. "Port terminals in July were jam-packed with ships loaded with cargo — processed without any delay, much to the credit of our dedicated longshore workers, terminal and rail operators, truckers and supply chain partners."

Gildan Activewear to buy HanesBrands for $2.2B

August 13, 2025
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Gildan Activewear is buying HanesBrands for $2.2 billion, the two companies said Wednesday. The deal consists of 87% stock and 13% cash per every HanesBrands share, with the cash portion anticipated to be about $290 million. Gildan will pay for HanesBrands through $2.3 billion in transaction financing, through bridge facility and term loans. The deal implies a $4.4 billion enterprise value for HanesBrands. Gildan CEO Glenn Chamandy said the combination will double Gildan’s revenue and create “scale that distinctly sets us apart.”

Tariff whiplash throws a wrench in brands’ supply chain diversification plans

Jimmy Zollo, the co-founder of Joe & Bella, thought India could be a viable alternative for the online retailer’s China-made socks. The company explored moving production there, drawn by lower costs and a perception that the country was politically “safe” from steep taxes enacted by the Trump administration. “Pricing seemed great,” Zollo said. “We actually were probably, in the next few weeks, planning on getting a few prototypes made to see if the quality hit our standard levels.” Then came the tariff news. With little warning, the Trump administration doubled duties on Indian imports to 50%, up from 25%, as part of a push to curtail the country’s purchase of Russian oil. The new rate is scheduled to go into effect on Aug. 27. The higher rate, combined with manufacturing timelines in India that were five times longer than those offered by Joe & Bella’s existing partners in China, quickly erased any potential savings. The company scrapped its India tests. Although Joe & Bella previously manufactured some goods in Vietnam, the company has now consolidated all manufacturing back to China — for simplicity’s sake, according to Zollo. “Anyone could get hit at any time for any reason,” he said. “Sometimes the safest move is just to stay put.”

Why does one third of the world’s food never make it to the table and how can packaging help?

In many Western countries, throwing away leftovers or discarding food with minor imperfections has become the norm. Yet, with more than 700 million people facing hunger globally and food insecurity rising, this waste is something we can no longer ignore1. The urgency of the issue is further highlighted by ongoing supply chain disruptions and economic instability. Food waste campaigner Tristram Stuart has said, “Cutting food waste is a delicious way of saving money, helping to feed the world and protect the planet.” 2 He’s right—addressing food waste is critical for people, the planet, and business. It is shocking that 1.3 billion tonnes of food are lost or wasted each year—enough to feed two billion people.1 In regions like Europe, nearly half of food waste occurs at the consumer level, whereas in developing countries, a significant proportion is lost post-harvest due to inadequate storage and poor packaging. Whether at the farm, in transit, or on supermarket shelves, food waste means wasted resources—water, energy, land, and capital. The Role of Packaging in Reducing Food Waste At Mondi, we believe sustainable packaging can play a key role in tackling food waste. Smart packaging solutions help protect food during transport and storage, extending shelf life and preventing spoilage.

Hibakujumoku – 80 years of peace, remembrance, and resilience

On 6 August 2025, the world marked 80 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, a catastrophic event that changed the course of history. Among the survivors of that tragedy were not only people, but also trees – the Hibakujumoku. These trees, exposed to the nuclear explosion yet resilient enough to regenerate, now stand as living symbols of peace, resilience, and hope. The story of the Hibakujumoku. The term Hibakujumoku is derived from Japanese: hibaku (bombed, exposed to nuclear radiation) and jumoku (tree or forest). These trees survived the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings and were found within two kilometres of the epicentres – areas once believed to be unable to support life for decades. Despite the devastation, more than 160 trees, representing over 30 species, survived in Hiroshima. From these trees, seeds are collected and distributed worldwide, primarily through the efforts of Green Legacy Hiroshima, a volunteer organisation established in 2011. Their mission is to spread the legacy of the Hibakujumoku and encourage reflection on the relationship between nature and humanity.

Amazon Announces Major Grocery Expansion: Tens of Millions of Prime Members Can Now Shop Perishable Groceries Alongside the Rest of Amazon’s Same-Day Selection with Fast, Free Delivery

Amazon.com, Inc. announced customers in more than 1,000 cities and towns can now order fresh groceries with their Same-Day Delivery orders, with plans to expand to over 2,300 across the U.S. by year-end. This marks one of the most significant grocery expansions for Amazon as the company introduces thousands of perishable food items into its existing logistics network that is already optimized for speed and efficiency. Customers will have the option to order produce, dairy, meat, seafood, baked goods, and frozen foods, alongside the millions of items such as everyday household essentials, electronics, fashion, home and garden, and more already available for Same-Day Delivery on Amazon.com. Customers are looking to make their budgets stretch further, and that’s why Amazon is focused on offering a wide selection of national and local brands, including organic and natural options, at an incredible value through this new offering. For Prime members, Same-Day Delivery is free for orders over $25 in most cities. If an order doesn’t meet the minimum, members can still choose Same-Day Delivery for a $2.99 fee. For customers without a Prime membership, the service is available with a $12.99 fee, regardless of order size.

Bain Eyes €8B Ahlstrom IPO or Exit

Bain Capital weighs IPO or sale of Ahlstrom at up to €8B, targeting ESG-focused investors via Amsterdam amid rising demand for sustainable industrial assets. Bain Capital is weighing a dual-track exit for Ahlstrom, the Finnish specialty materials company it acquired in 2022. The two options on the table: a public listing in Amsterdam or a strategic private sale. The potential valuation of the business in either scenario is estimated between €7 billion and €8 billion, signaling a substantial return on Bain’s earlier investment. Ahlstrom, known for producing sustainable fiber-based materials used in filtration, medical, packaging, and industrial applications, is currently preparing IPO groundwork with Rothschild & Co, while Morgan Stanley is reportedly assessing potential sale routes.

Sappi Europe initiates a consultation process for potential closure of PM2 at its Kirkniemi Mill in Finland

Sappi Europe today announced the initiation of a consultation process at its Kirkniemi Mill in Finland as part of a proposed asset restructure. This step is being taken in response to a structural decline in demand across Europe and sustained financial challenges. The proposed changes are intended to ensure long term competitiveness in the Graphic Paper Market and align production capacity with changing market dynamics and customer needs. Sappi Europe has today announced the potential closure of Paper Machine 2 at its Kirkniemi Mill in Lohja, Finland. If implemented, this step would reduce the mill’s annual capacity of coated magazine paper by 175,000 tonnes. The proposed asset closure is part of Sappi’s strategy to align capacity with market demand and improve operational efficiency with paper machines 1 and 3 remaining in operation. The process would be carefully managed to ensure continuity of supply with no disruption to customers. The biggest coated publication paper mill in the world, Kirkniemi Mill has a production capacity of 750,000 tons of coated paper for heatset web offset printing serving mainly the high-volume print market. A major investment to convert on-site power generation to biofuels eliminated 90% of the mill’s direct, Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions in 2023.

How Much Paper Was Recycled in 2024?

Paper recycling is one of the most successful recycling systems in America. In 2024 alone, we recycled around 46 million tons of paper in the U.S. That’s 125,000 tons every day being turned into things like cardboard boxes, paper packaging and toilet paper. That translates to a paper recycling rate of 60%-64% and a cardboard recycling rate of 69%-74%. Today, the paper industry recycles nearly 60% more paper than it did 35 years ago. Today, more than 2/3 of all paper recycled in the U.S. is turned into new products Americans rely on at mills nationwide. Nearly half of recycled paper, about 20.8 million tons, went into making containerboard in 2024. That’s the material used to make cardboard boxes. About 27% of recycled paper was exported. Paper mills around the world rely on our recycled paper exports to manufacture new products. The rest was used in the U.S. to make packaging for cereal or medicine, tissue products like toilet paper and paper towels, as well as printing papers.

Wiley Achieves Milestone with 1,000 Scholarly Journals Now Operating on Research Exchange Platform

Wiley, one of the world’s largest publishers and a trusted leader in research and learning, today announced that 1,000 scholarly journals have successfully transitioned to its Research Exchange platform, representing more than 50% of the company's journal portfolio. This significant milestone demonstrates Wiley's commitment to creating industry-leading solutions that prioritize research integrity, agile development, and support a modern publishing infrastructure. Research Exchange is Wiley's comprehensive scholarly publishing platform that integrates submission, AI-powered screening, and peer review workflows into a unified system. Wiley achieved this milestone following an ambitious, scaled migration program which began in December 2023. "Reaching 1,000 journals on Research Exchange represents a pivotal moment in our ongoing commitment to evolve with the research community and demonstrates how we’re innovating with integrity and efficiency at the forefront," said Liz Ferguson, Senior Vice President of Research Publishing at Wiley. "Our modern and intuitive platform aims to significantly alleviate the administrative burden of publishing for researchers so they can focus on what they do best – delivering life-changing findings that move our world forward."

Carve Designs seeks balanced approach to holiday promotions

Apparel retailer Carve Designs is trying to find a balance this holiday shopping season, selling items at full price, while also offering promotions during a suitable (and limited) window and “protecting” key inventory. The Cyber 5 — or the period from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, also called Cyber Week — has become cyber month, said Megan Porteous, chief revenue officer at Carve Designs. She was previously the brand’s vice president of ecommerce and performance marketing. The retailer primarily sells sustainable apparel. It says 99% of its apparel products come from sustainable materials, including all of its swim collection. Additionally, it says all the cotton it uses is organic. Carve Designs first participated in Cyber 5 promotions in 2023. Last year, it launched a gift-finder quiz and introduced a gift-with-purchase incentive. “We’re still figuring out what makes the most sense for us as far as how heavy to participate,” Porteous told Digital Commerce 360. “It’s certainly something we saw tremendous results from last year. The whole fall selling season has completely changed because of it.”

Chillicothe Mill Closure Hits Ohio Logging Industry

The closure of Pixelle Specialty Solutions’ paper mill in Chillicothe, Ohio, has delivered a major blow to the state’s logging sector. After nearly 200 years in operation, the mill permanently ceased production on Sunday, following an April announcement of its shutdown. Employing more than 800 people, the facility was Ohio’s largest purchaser of low-grade timber, consuming over 600,000 tons of wood fiber annually. Its absence will significantly affect small, family-run logging operations, many of which depended on the mill for most of their business. The loss is expected to have ripple effects across Ohio’s $1.1 billion forestry economy, prompting industry leaders to seek new markets and potential replacements for the mill’s capacity.

July 2025: Small Business Optimism Rises

August 12, 2025
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The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 1.7 points in July to 100.3, slightly above the 52-year average of 98. Contributing most to the rise in the Optimism Index were respondents reporting better business conditions and reporting that it is a good time to expand. In contrast to the Optimism Index, the Uncertainty Index increased by eight points from June to 97. Twenty-one percent of small business owners reported labor quality as their single most important problem, up five points from June and ranking as the top problem. Optimism rose slightly in July with owners reporting more positive expectations on business conditions and expansion opportunities. While uncertainty is still high, the next six months will hopefully offer business owners more clarity, especially as owners see the results of Congress making the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent and the final shape of trade policy. Meanwhile, labor quality has become the top issue on Main Street again. The NFIB Research Foundation has collected Small Business Economic Trends data with quarterly surveys since the 4th quarter of 1973 and monthly surveys since 1986. Survey respondents are drawn from NFIB’s membership. The report is released on the second Tuesday of each month. This survey was conducted in July 2025.

133-year old Kodak says it might have to cease operations

Eastman Kodak, the 133-year-old photography company, is warning investors thats it might not survive much longer. In its earnings report Monday, the company warned that it doesn’t have “committed financing or available liquidity” to pay its roughly $500 million in upcoming debt obligations. “These conditions raise substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern,” Kodak said in a filing. Kodak aims to conjure up cash by ceasing payments for its retirement pension plan. It also said that it doesn’t expect tariffs to have “material impacts” on its business because it manufactures its many of its products, including cameras, inks and film in the United States. Kodak had a century of success producing cameras and film. At one point in the 1970s, it was was responsible for 90% of film and 85% of camera sales in the United States, according to The Economist. Paul Simon’s hit song “Kodachrome” topped the charts in 1973.

Back on track – Hard work delivers result at the SCA-Obbola mill

With one of the world’s most advanced kraftliner machines, SCA’s Obbola mill, located just outside Umeå in northern Sweden, has taken a significant step into the future. The newly upgraded mill is now delivering on its promise of increased capacity, reliability, and leading sustainability. Take a closer look behind the scenes of this ambitious project and what it means for SCA and society at large in a conversation with Mikael Frölander, VP Marketing and Sales, and Gustaf Nygren, Mill Manager at SCA Obbola

Smurfit Westrock shutting down Cedar Rapids, Iowa, facility

Smurfit Westrock is closing a facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed with the state this week. The site produces “corrugated packaging such as standard cases, boxes and trays suitable for all industries,” Smurfit Westrock said on its website. Production will move to other facilities in Smurfit Westrock’s network, according to Robby Johnson, director of external communications for North America. The shutdown will affect 100 employees, the company reported. Layoffs are slated for Oct. 4, according to the notice, and closing activities will be complete by mid-October. Outplacement assistance will be available for impacted employees and eligible employees may apply for open positions within the company, Johnson said. Smurfit Westrock recently celebrated its one-year anniversary following the combination of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock. On a second-quarter earnings call last week, CEO Tony Smurfit said the company would “continue to optimize our system through the elimination of non-strategic or inefficient assets,” as it targets eliminating 600,000 tons of capacity.

Trioworld announces new state-of-the art manufacturing facility in Brownsburg, Indiana, USA

Trioworld Group, a global leading producer of innovative high-performance flexible films, is thrilled to announce the opening of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, strategically located to enhance service and production capabilities across North America. This major investment marks a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to operational excellence and customer satisfaction. The new facility, set to open in Brownsburg, Indiana this fall, will provide greater flexibility in meeting the growing demand from US customers. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and sustainable production practices, the plant is expected to eventually double Trioworld’s North American production capacity, create an initial 33 new jobs and serve as a hub for innovation and efficiency.

TC Transcontinental Acquires Canva Group Businesses to Accelerate Growth of itsIn-Store Marketing Segment

Transcontinental Inc. announces the acquisition of two Canva Group businesses, Mirazed Inc., located in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, and Intergraphics Decal Limited, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This strategic transaction follows the acquisition of Middleton Group in June and strengthens TC Transcontinental’s position as a leader in in‑store marketing. Mirazed is recognized for its cutting-edge expertise in screen printing as well as large format digital printing, the production of promotional displays and point-of-purchase (POP) signage. Intergraphics specializes in industrial screen and digital printing. Together, these entities employ more than 200 skilled people and operate state-of-the-art production facilities that will significantly enhance TC Transcontinental's capabilities in Quebec and Western Canada.

5 of retail’s most impactful deals in 2025

From Skechers selling itself to numerous moves in the Beyond Inc. saga, here’s a look at the top deals during the first half of the year. In only the first six months of 2025, Walgreens announced its acquisition by Sycamore Partners, Dollar Tree divulged its sale of Family Dollar and Hudson’s Bay agreed to sell its IP to Canadian Tire Corp. Retail Dive since 2021 has tracked major deals in the industry, from IPOs to acquisitions, minority investments and more. In just the first half of 2025, Retail Dive counted 26 sales and acquisitions. That compares to 22 last year and 26 in 2023 in the same period. In recent months, deals have surged, with nine of those deals taking place in May. That month, Levi’s sold Docker’s to Authentic Brands Group in a $311 million deal, while GameStop sold its Canadian business for an undisclosed amount.

Why SCF Dropship Just Became Essential for Direct Mail ROI in 2025

The July 2025 USPS Marketing Mail rate increase is here, and it’s reshaping the economics of direct mail. While many marketers are focused on rising postage costs, fewer realize that how and where you enter mail into the USPS system now matters more than ever. Enter SCF dropship: a critical cost-saving tactic that can make or break your direct mail ROI moving forward. On July 13, 2025, USPS implemented an average 7.4% increase in Marketing Mail rates, up to 15% for some formats. And while that’s a challenge on its own, there’s a second, equally important change flying under the radar: the elimination of Network Distribution Center (NDC) entry discounts. That means marketers who used to benefit from NDC dropship rates are now facing higher costs for those same mail pieces, unless they shift strategy. The solution? SCF (Sectional Center Facility) dropship, which is now the deepest discount level available for most campaigns.

Nothing can stop falling trans-Pacific container rates

August 11, 2025
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Ocean container spot rates on the benchmark Far East-U.S. route moderated their steep declines that saw an average 53% drop since June to destinations on the East and West coasts. The latest update from shipping consultant Xeneta has market average spot rates from the Far East to U.S. West Coast at $2,098 per forty foot equivalent unit (FEU), down 3% from July 31, and $3,311 to the East Coast, 9% lower in that time. Those declines compared to a 62% decrease to the West Coast since June 1, and 53% to the East Coast since June 15, after falling a further 9% since June 31, to $2,015 per FEU. “Carriers have taken action to arrest the plummeting average spot rates on the trans-Pacific trade to the U.S. West Coast through strong capacity management, with blanked sailings now almost double the level in mid-June,” said Peter Sand, Xeneta chief analyst, in a research note. “The dramatic spot rate decline has slowed in August so the stronger capacity management is having some success for carriers, but this is limited and not enough to stop the downward trajectory in coming months.

How design-driven brands are outperforming the competition

Visual storytelling isn’t just a branding tactic anymore – it’s a growth strategy. In today’s attention-starved digital world, the most successful brands aren’t just seen, they’re remembered. And increasingly, they’re winning by putting design at the heart of everything they do. In our latest webinar with Marketing Dive, we explored how forward-thinking marketing teams are transforming their creative approach to stand out and scale up. The panel brought together leaders from Ricoh, Exos, and Canva to unpack what it really takes to build a visual-first brand, and why that shift matters now more than ever.

2025 Printing Impressions 300 Ranking: Your Annual Holiday Gift Arrives Early

You might be surprised to find out that the 42nd annual Printing Impressions list of the largest printing companies in the U.S. and Canada is hot off the presses in a warm summer month. You would be correct in thinking that the annual ranking usually caps off the year here at Printing Impressions in our December issue and circulates widely in January of the new year. This is the first year we have moved the list to July, which may seem odd considering we just produced it a mere six months ago. The reason, however, is to bring you an even more timely ranking. For the most part, the companies on our list are reporting the previous calendar year as their most recent fiscal year sales. In the case of the December 2024 edition, that meant that many companies were reporting 2023 numbers as their most recent year. By the time we gathered the information, printed the list in December, and then widely disseminated it in January of 2025, the numbers were already more than a year old. By moving the ranking to July permanently, we hope that when we print and promote it, we are sharing numbers that are, on average, only six months old.

Beyond Meat Shrinks Name To ‘Beyond’ As Sales Slide, Layoffs Hit

August 10, 2025
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With sales down 20% and layoffs hitting 6% of its workforce, Beyond Meat is acknowledging that its moment in the plant-based spotlight has faded — at least for now. The company, which is cutting about 44 jobs, says it needs “a fundamental reset for our brand and category,” according to president and CEO Ethan Brown. To lead that reset, Beyond has tapped John Boken of consulting firm AlixPartners as interim chief transformation officer. It’s also leaning into a shorter name — “Beyond” — in a bid to shed some of the baggage around meat imitation. “We believe it provides for reduced emphasis on facsimile,” Brown told investors on a webcast, referring to the “complicated frame” of animal protein replication. He said the streamlined name could also help “widen our aperture beyond animal protein replicates” and into broader consumer protein needs.

National Retail Federation: Global sportswear giant heads list of 25 fastest-growing retailers in the U.S.

A U.K.-based company ranks as the fastest-growing retailer in the U.S. following its acquisition of Alabama-based Hibbett in 2024. J.D Sports tops the National Retail Federation’s “2025 Hot 25 Retailers” list compiled by Kantar. The annual study ranks the fastest-growing retailers in the U.S. based on increases in domestic sales between 2023 and 2024. JD Sports achieved 41.5% domestic sales growth after adding nearly 1,200 Hibbett, City Gear and Sports Addition stores across 36 states in a deal valued at approximately $1.1 billion. (List of all 25 retailers at end of article.) Rounding out the top five are Primark at No. 2 with 30% sales growth, followed by Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing (27.7%), Shell (26.8%) and Abercrombie & Fitch (15.2%). Primark and Abercrombie & Fitch both jumped two spots on this year’s list, while Fast Retailing remained at No. 3 for the second year in a row.

Remarks by Postmaster General and CEO David Steiner at the Postal Service Board of Governors meeting on Aug. 7, 2025

Regarding the Postal Service, I have several key points I would like to articulate today. First and foremost, the Postal Service needs to operate in a financially sustainable manner. This is not just a good idea, but it’s also required by law. We have faced significant challenges in the dynamically changing business environment that have put significant stress on our business model and have had a negative impact on the organization. But those obstacles from the past should not deter us from achieving financial sustainability. We will strive to align our costs to revenue on a consistent, long-term basis. To do so, prioritizing strategies to drive operational efficiencies and generate sustained revenue growth will be key. We will also focus on being your provider of choice any time you ship a package. Second, service is foundational to our success. Improved service for our customers—which in our case includes the entire American public—will lead to more volume and revenue, so service improvement will be a top priority for me and the management team, and we will remain committed to continuous improvement in our operational performance. Third, our recent transformation and modernization efforts have brought the Postal Service closer to private sector logistics practices. Both the pricing and product strategies have improved our competitiveness. We will continue to aggressively pursue those strategies.

The New York Post to launch The California Post newspaper in LA

New York Post Media Group, a subsidiary of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., will launch a new daily Los Angeles-based newspaper called The California Post in early 2026, the New York Post's editor-in-chief Keith Poole told Axios. Why it matters: It's a ripe market, and one in which NYPMG — home to the New York Post, Page Six and Decider — already has a leg up. Los Angeles is home to the second-largest concentration of Post readers, per News Corp. The vast majority (90%) of the Post's digital readership lives outside of New York. Zoom in: The California Post will look and feel similar to its New York counterpart — delivering journalism, entertainment and celebrity gossip, sports news, local news, and opinion — with an edgy voice. The outlet will also feature national coverage from the New York Post that's relevant to a West Coast audience.

Vuori Reaches 100 Owned Retail Locations

Vuori, the performance and lifestyle brand known for its coastal California-inspired style, today announced that it will surpass its goal to open 100 retail locations by 2026 with the opening of its latest store in Aspen, Colorado on Friday, August 8. “The 100-store milestone is not only a humbling achievement for us to reach in the same year as we celebrate our 10-year anniversary, but it signifies the incredible power and momentum Vuori continues to have,” said Founder & CEO Joe Kudla. “Vuori exists to support people in feeling their best; clear, connected and inspired, along life’s journey and empower them to live a healthy and active lifestyle. As we continue on our global growth journey, we firmly believe that in addition to providing customers the ability to touch, feel and try on our products, our retail locations should also serve as hubs to drive authentic and meaningful relationships with the local community.” To commemorate the milestone and opening of the brand’s latest store in Aspen, Colorado, Vuori’s entire fleet of stores will celebrate by hosting an ‘Investment in Happiness Day’ for the growing Vuori community on Saturday, August 9.

AAA Fuel Gauge Report

August 7, 2025
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Key Currency Exchange Rates

August 7, 2025
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UPM, Sappi, Billerud announce tariff related increases this week.

Billerud, Sappi and UPM sent letters this week announcing tariff related price increases on paper and board coming from Europe. There were varying degrees of increases. Check with your MIDLAND sales representatives for details.

Anti-plastic campaigner sees “quiet revolution” in packaging

The packaging industry is undergoing a “quiet revolution,” shifting away from “the risky economic path” of continuous plastic production, according to Sian Sutherland, the co-founder at A Plastic Planet. Sutherland tells Packaging Insights that rather than accepting stalled UN Global Plastics Treaty progress and “patchwork regulations,” industry and policymakers should recognize this moment as the “tipping point before transformational change.” “The question isn’t whether this transformation will happen, but how quickly we can accelerate it. Industry leaders already understand their license to operate depends on fundamentally reimagining their relationship with materials — government policy needs to catch up with this reality.”

Dutch Bros fires ‘on all cylinders’ in Q2; targets 900-plus new shops by 2029

Dutch Bros posted another strong quarter and raised its guidance for same-store sales, revenues and adjusted EBITDA. The fast-growing drive-thru coffee chain also continued to expand its footprint during the second quarter, opening 31 new shops across 13 states, for a total of 1.053 locations in 19 states. It remain on track to open “at least” 160 new shops this year. Dutch Bros said it expects to have 2,029 locations by 2029. “If there’s one takeaway from today’s call, it is this: Dutch Bros is in growth mode and we are just getting started,” president and CEO Christine Barone told analysts on the company’s earnings call. “With a long term addressable market of 7,000 shops nationwide and just north of 1,000 shops today, the runway ahead is expansive.”

Rethinking Retail Rhythms: How Unexpected Shopping Events Spark Surprise and Sales

Consumers are savvy—and saturated. Between traditional holidays and standard sale seasons, they’ve seen it all… until they haven’t. Why Retailers Should Rethink the Calendar Predictability is the enemy of excitement. By staging shopping events outside the typical cadence, brands can: That’s where creative retail events come in. Unconventional promotions like Macy’s “Black Friday in July” flip expectations and generate buzz by offering shoppers a reason to engage when they least expect it. Why Retailers Should Rethink the Calendar Predictability is the enemy of excitement. By staging shopping events outside the typical cadence, brands can: Revive Off-Season Traffic: July doesn’t naturally scream “doorbuster,” but a well-timed promotion can turn summer lulls into retail highs. Create Curiosity: Unexpected sales pique interest—especially when branded cleverly. Customers are more likely to stop, scroll, or swing by when something feels fresh. Strengthen Brand Personality: A cheeky campaign like “New Year’s Clearance in August” or “Fall Preview Fest” reflects a retailer’s willingness to break molds and embrace fun.

Paper and Packaging Industry Votes to End Its Consumer Marketing Campaign

USDA held a continuance referendum between July 14 and July 25 among companies contributing to the campaign. A majority of the voting companies voted to discontinue the national marketing campaign. The program will be shut down over the next few months. No assessments will be collected. During that time, P+PB’s Papertarian campaign, featuring celebrity and actress Retta, will run on streaming TV through the end of September. In addition, new infographics are available to P+PB companies through October 31, 2025 when the consumer and industry websites will go dark.

Global metallized flex-pack market up 4.6% CAGR to 2030: new report

The metallized flexible-packaging market is poised for significant growth, with projections estimating an increase from $14.8 billion in 2025 to $18.5 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.6%, according to a new study Research & Markets. This expansion is driven by the demand for lightweight, high-barrier packaging solutions that enhance product shelf life, coupled with the burgeoning e-commerce and direct-to-consumer retail sectors. The market is further stimulated by the appeal of innovative packaging in the food, personal care, and pet food industries, as well as its critical role in pharmaceuticals, offering protection against moisture, oxygen, and light. Alox/SiOx PET film emerges as the fastest-growing material segment, offering superior barrier properties and recyclability, which aligns with the circular economy and meets stringent regulatory standards. Mono-extruded structures are also gaining traction due to their high-barrier capabilities and full recyclability, presenting a cost-effective and versatile option for various packaging forms.

Retailers’ Corrugated Recycling Profits Face EPR Threat

Concerns for the environment may be at an all-time high, but consumer recycling compliance continues to fall. Shrinking participation notwithstanding, the curbside recycling chain is also plagued by infrastructure challenges and inefficiencies. Fascinatingly, major retailers have carved out ways to not only make recycling happen on a large scale, but they’ve also succeeded with efficiency not seen in the consumer recycling realm, especially in the realm of paperboard recycling. For insight into how retailers are able to achieve this success and how EPR legislation could impact it, Packaging Digest spoke to Myles Cohen, Founder of Circular Ventures, LLC, a renowned circular economy executive and ESG leader with in-depth recycling, waste, sustainable packaging, public policy, and government advocacy experience. Most major retailers bale and sell their used corrugated materials. Walmart reported that its US stores, including Sams, recycled a combined 5.8 billion pounds of corrugated in 2023. How are retailer recycling efficiencies faring vs. household recycling efforts?

The Real Marketing Problem No One’s Talking About

Today, most marketers don’t have print quality problems with vendors. The ink-on-paper product looks fine. But more of your prospects DO have visibility problems. They DO have cut-through-the-noise problems. They DO have a get-noticed-and-remembered problem. And guess what? Print just happens to be an excellent solution. Even so, the odds are pretty good that your competitors are still walking into meetings talking about color matching and on-time delivery. At this point, these are table stakes, not reasons to change vendors. To make the sale, you need focus on what marketers truly need now: A partner who understands how to make them stand out. The Real Problem Hiding Behind "We Don't Do Print" When a marketing director says, “We don’t really do print anymore,” what they’re often really saying is they don’t realize how strategic, creative, and measurable print can be today

Greif Signs Definitive Agreement to Sell Timberlands to Molpus Woodlands Group for $462 Million

Greif, Inc. a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Molpus Woodlands Group, on behalf of clients, to sell its Soterra land management business for $462 million. This transaction, which includes over 173,000 acres of timberlands across the Southeastern United States, follows Greif’s previously announced intent to divest the business as part of its strategic portfolio optimization. The deal is expected to close shortly before or after the Company’s fiscal year end, subject to customary closing conditions. “The sale of the Soterra timberlands aligns with our strategy to focus our portfolio on opportunities where Greif can be an industry leader,” said Ole Rosgaard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Greif. “This transaction enhances our ability to invest in higher-margin, less cyclical markets, and positions Greif for further long-term success and value creation.” “These timberlands seamlessly complement our existing portfolio, offering diverse, highly productive assets strategically located near robust timber markets with strong, competitive pricing,” said Terrell Winstead, President and CEO of Molpus. “With our long history of creating value for similar properties in these areas, we believe this opportunity fits well within our long-term investment strategy and sustainable forest management approach.” Cash proceeds from the sale will be allocated to debt repayment.

With Slow Sales And Tariff Pressure, Claire’s Files Second Bankruptcy

Times are tough in the tween bling business. Claire’s — long a mall-based beacon of ear piercing and bedazzled barrettes — has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware. It’s the second time the brand has sought bankruptcy protection, having last done so in 2018. The company operates more than 2,700 stores in 17 countries, including nearly 200 Icing stores — a more mature concept it has been working to expand. In recent years, Claire’s has tried to evolve, launching marketing efforts aimed at a new generation of shoppers. But declining sales, a burdensome debt load, and rising tariff-driven costs in its supply chain have proven too difficult to overcome. The move doesn’t come as a surprise. Claire’s had reportedly been in discussions about restructuring options for weeks. Still, the bankruptcy signals just how difficult the current retail environment has become — especially for mall-dependent retailers already struggling to stay relevant with younger consumers.

Store Expansion News: July update

Retailers and restaurants alike made headlines in July with store expansions and new formats. Here are the major stories as reported by Chain Store Age, starting with the most recent. Wayfair to bring large-format store concept to Denver The online home furnishings giant will open its next large-format retail location at The Shops at Northfield in Denver, in late 2026. Spanning two floors, the approximately 140,000-sq.-ft. store will showcase Wayfair's vast assortment, including "Verified" items, a program that spotlights the brand's “most-trusted” products. First Look: Martha Stewart launches first-ever stores The world’s first Martha Stewart store has opened at City Centre Mirdif in Dubai, followed by a second location at the Dubai Hills Mall. The stores are operated through Marquee Brands, which acquired the Martha Stewart brand of home furnishings and other branded products and media in 2019. PopUp Bagels hits 300 store agreements The East Coast chain says it has officially signed deals for 300 franchise locations, setting up expansion in 10 states. PopUp Bagels says its goal is to reach 100 open locations by the end of 2027. Trader Joe’s has 25-plus stores ‘opening soon’ The popular grocer, which operates in 43 states and the District of Columbia, keeps a running list on its website of its upcoming locations, with the list updated on a regular basis. Recent Trader Joe’s openings include Northridge Calif., Sherman Oaks, Calif. and Westminister, Colo., with plans for expansion in New York, Texas, Oklahoma, Utah and more. Nordstrom Rack adds eight new stores to 2026 lineup The department store retailer, which in May closed on its deal to go private, is on track to open 21 Nordstrom Rack stores this year. It expects to open roughly the same amount in 2026, and has already announced a handful of openings, including a 30,000-sq.-ft. store at Turkey Creek in Knoxville, Tenn., and a 27,000-sq.-ft. store at Sarasota Pavilion in Sarasota, Fla.

The CIRCLE Act: A blueprint for revitalizing American manufacturing through recycling

As Congress prioritizes American manufacturing and global trade, it is time to recognize one of our most overlooked resources: the valuable materials sitting at the end of every driveway. Each year, 37 million tons of recyclable household materials in the United States are landfilled or incinerated. That loss weakens our supply chains, drives up costs for American manufacturers and wastes taxpayer-funded resources. If we are serious about revitalizing domestic production, keeping dollars in local economies and strengthening U.S. competitiveness, we must modernize our recycling system and scale access for every household. Recycling already delivers for American industry. Recycled content makes up 40 percent of U.S. manufacturing inputs. People across the country are doing their part: setting out blue carts, dropping off batteries, returning pallets. But the system supporting them is uneven. More than 41percent of Americans still lack access to basic recycling services, and billions in raw material value is lost each year as a result. Congress has a clear opportunity to lead. The bipartisan CIRCLE Act, introduced by Reps. Suozzi (D-N.Y.) and Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), is a targeted, practical solution. It would create a 30 percent investment tax credit for businesses, nonprofits and individuals building or upgrading recycling infrastructure — from curbside collection to sortation and processing. The model is proven. Like the tax credits that fueled growth in solar and semiconductors, this approach will drive innovation, reduce risk for private investors, and build a stronger, more resilient domestic supply chain. We already know this investment pays off. According to The Recycling Partnership, a $17 billion commitment to universal recycling access would create more than 200,000 U.S. jobs, return $8.8 billion in materials to the economy and save taxpayers nearly $10 billion in five years. Few investments can match that return.

Nestlé and IBM Partner to Develop AI-Powered Barrier Packaging

On the heels of announcing the creation of a new center for deep tech, Nestlé has forged a new partnership with IBM that will leverage the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to boost its innovation pipeline by identifying new high-barrier packaging materials. Beyond fast-tracking the identification of future packaging materials, this AI partnership will also consider cost, recyclability, and functionality as it relates to ensuring food safety and quality. Specifically, Nestlé will direct AI to construct a knowledge base of known materials from public and proprietary documents, following a fine-tuned, fit-for-purpose chemical language model that will enable it to learn the representation of molecular structures. That knowledge will be used to learn the correlation between key structural molecular features and the resulting physical-chemical properties, enabling the proposal of new high-barrier packaging materials that shield sensitive products from moisture, temperature swings, and oxygen. Deep tech center’s high-tech R&D redeployment The IBM AI partnership is Nestlé’s latest investment geared toward unlocking “a leaner R&D organization, more agile ways of working, a focused project portfolio, and the redeployment of existing R&D resources.”

Today’s Tactics on Integrating Print With Digital Marketing

“Integrating Print and Digital Marketing” isn't a new topic, but the fact is that it really is very powerful. While some of the tactics are the same, we now see a big change in the behavior of the consumer, leading print service providers to think more creatively about print and digital integration. A funny thing happened on the way to the all-digital future, especially in the wake of the post-pandemic era: Everyone was wrong about that so-called “all digital future.” The constant barrage of digital-only promotion led to a collective screen fatigue, and audiences began to crave something they could touch, feel, and experience. This shift has created a golden opportunity. The most forward-thinking brands today aren’t choosing between digital and print; they are masterfully integrating them. They understand that a physical object, be it a direct mail piece, a product package, or a promotional item, can be a powerful gateway to a rich digital experience. But true integration goes far beyond just slapping a QR code on a flyer. It’s about creating a seamless, multi-sensory brand journey that surprises, delights, and engages customers on a deeper level. Let’s explore how to move beyond the basics and forge a truly effective, creative, and profitable link between your print and digital worlds

Wearables Are Reshaping Healthcare–Does Your Packaging Keep Pace?

Direct-to-consumer shipments of medtech wearables continue to climb—IDC estimates 534.6 million units were shipped in 2024. At the same time, the global wearable market is valued at $103.04 billion in 2025 and will rise to $324.73 billion by 2032. These devices are often high-value, sensitive technologies requiring careful handling, especially as more brands embrace D2C delivery models. With category growth, product fragility, and shifting distribution channels, an optimized packaging strategy has become essential for protecting products, controlling costs, and delivering a strong customer experience. So, what exactly is a wearable? In the medtech world, wearables are electronic sensors worn on—or even implanted in—the body to continuously capture health data. Think wrist-worn smartwatches that log heart rate and activity, arm-mounted continuous glucose monitors, adhesive ECG patches for cardiac monitoring and sleek sleep-tracking rings. As these devices more and more frequently journey from manufacturers, clinics and retailers direct to consumers’ homes, your packaging must evolve. Here are five strategies to balance product protection, user experience and material efficiency:

Huhtamaki celebrates 100 days with new egg packaging production facility in Zellwood, Fla.

Huhtamaki took a significant step toward expanding its growth within the molded fiber industry, specifically for egg cartons and egg flats, on April 23 with the acquisition of Zellwin Farms in Zellwood, Fla. Now, 100 days into the integration, both companies are seeing a successful transition with a focus on safety, efficiency, and collaborative innovation. “When we started working with the team in Zellwood, we found a very nimble, engaged and innovative workforce,” said Larissa Larrabee, Huhtamaki Controller who is leading the transition team in Zellwood, Fla. “We have already learned so much from their ability to solve problems and innovate.” The former Zellwin Farms, now Huhtamaki Zellwood, has been serving egg producing customers throughout the Southeastern US from a single site for more than 20 years. It is a successful operation and obviously an attractive business that fits well with other recent Huhtamaki expansions.

Flair Flexible Canada operation adds 10-color press, laminator, and second plant in Calgary

Flair Flexible Packaging Corp. is expanding its Canadian manufacturing capabilities with the installation of a proprietary 10-color CI flexographic-printing press and a proprietary solventless laminator at its plant in Calgary, Alberta. To support this growth Flair has also acquired a second plant in Calgary, adding 35,000 sq ft of warehouse and production space, which now serves as the new location for its converting equipment. This investment marks the first in a series of planned expansions to strengthen Flair’s Canadian manufacturing platform, with additional presses and converting equipment in the near future. “Unprecedented disruptions in recent years have exposed supply-chain vulnerabilities across all industries, and we took that as a signal to evolve,” says Young So, Flair President and Owner. “We saw an opportunity to help brand owners stay agile in the face of changing demand by integrating advanced material innovation with onshore manufacturing. Our goal has always been to make high-performance, value-added packaging solutions more accessible to the North American market.” The new investments enable Flair to deliver complete, specialty-packaging solutions manufactured in Canada, including custom laminates for thickness, barrier and performance requirements, as well as bold graphics that help brands enhance visibility and competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Retailers’ Corrugated Recycling Profits Face EPR Threat

Recycling expert Myles Cohen reveals how major retailers are turning corrugated recycling into profit centers while preparing for EPR legislation. Private label brands, however, could take a hit. Concerns for the environment may be at an all-time high, but consumer recycling compliance continues to fall. Shrinking participation notwithstanding, the curbside recycling chain is also plagued by infrastructure challenges and inefficiencies. Fascinatingly, major retailers have carved out ways to not only make recycling happen on a large scale, but they’ve also succeeded with efficiency not seen in the consumer recycling realm, especially in the realm of paperboard recycling. For insight into how retailers are able to achieve this success and how EPR legislation could impact it, Packaging Digest spoke to Myles Cohen, Founder of Circular Ventures, LLC, a renowned circular economy executive and ESG leader with in-depth recycling, waste, sustainable packaging, public policy, and government advocacy experience. Most major retailers bale and sell their used corrugated materials. Walmart reported that its US stores, including Sams, recycled a combined 5.8 billion pounds of corrugated in 2023.

Retail job cuts spike nearly 250% from last year

As the retail job market contracts, the analysis found companies in the sector also have not released hiring plans this year to date — a noteworthy development given that the holiday season is around the corner. Tariffs, inflation and economic uncertainty have prompted retailers to close stores and lay off employees, the report said. Many of those same challenges are impacting industries more broadly as well. “Closings of stores, units, or plants have led to 120,226 layoffs so far this year, while restructuring efforts have resulted in 66,879 job cuts. Bankruptcies accounted for another 35,641 layoffs,” according to the report. Indeed, multiple major retailers have shuttered locations amid broader corporate restructurings. Between 2024 and February 2025, retailers closed more than 9,900 stores, but they only opened 7,700 locations during that period, a JLL analysis found. While some retailers have issued pink slips to a fraction of their staff, others are shutting down most or all of their storefronts.

Amcor announces shortlist for latest Lift-Off competition

Four innovative start-ups selected for solutions that provide barriers for compostable substrates Amcor , a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions, announced the shortlist for its latest Amcor Lift-Off challenge, focused on finding solutions to one of the most important hurdles in sustainable packaging: delivering effective Water Vapour Transmission Rate (WVTR) barriers for compostable substrates, including paper. The four shortlisted start-ups, based across the U.K. and the U.S., will move on to the next phase of assessment. In this latest Amcor Lift-Off competition, several start-up companies presented their cutting-edge solutions to the challenge of providing superior moisture protection in fiber and other compostable packaging materials. Despite being at different stages in the development process, each of the shortlisted companies stood out for their unique approach to tackling this challenge. The four selected teams will now enter a more rigorous evaluation process with Amcor’s R&D and Corporate Venturing teams. This may include technical trials, joint development agreements and potential investment.

Wayfair, Expanding Physical Stores, Has Best Results In 4 Years

After years of financial pressure and uneven performance, Wayfair may be turning a corner. The home furnishings retailer just reported its strongest sales growth and profitability since 2021, and announced plans to open a new 140,000-square-foot store in Denver—its third new large-format location this year—as it continues experimenting with physical retail. Second-quarter sales climbed 5% to $3.3 billion. Excluding the impact of last year’s exit from the German market, revenue increased by 6%. Net income reached $15 million, compared to a net loss of $40 million in the same period last year. “The second quarter was a resounding success, defined by accelerating sales and share gain, in tandem with expanding profitability,” said Niraj Shah, CEO, co-founder and co-chairman. “As we have discussed over the last few years, we can and will grow profitably, while taking significant share in the market. Two decades of this approach have taught us that building great things takes time, but when done with thought, care and prudence, can have a payoff well worth the wait.”

Huhtamaki and Xampla supply Bunzl with plant-based coated hot food boxes

Xampla has announced that Huhtamaki’s Taste hot food boxes, featuring the material innovation company’s Morro coating, are now available at Bunzl UK & Ireland. Huhtamaki’s Taste hot food boxes are made in the UK from responsibly sourced paper and are available in various sizes. They display an embossed Morro marque to indicate that the barrier coating is plant-based. Xampla’s Morro material has been developed by researchers from the University of Cambridge, UK. It can offer manufacturers and brands a scalable alternative to conventional coatings amid regulatory and environmental pressures, according to Xampla. Alexandra French, chief executive at Xampla, says: “The launch of Huhtamaki’s Taste boxes with Morro coating represents a new level of success for Xampla.” “Our exclusive partnership with Bunzl sees Morro coating introduced to a significant number of food service operators in the UK and Ireland for the first time, presenting their customers with the latest in SUPD-exempt materials and product innovation.” Moving away from single-use plastic The Morro coating is plastic-free under the European Single-Use Plastic Directive. It provides grease and leak resistance to food packaging and is recyclable

What Consumers Literally Look for in a Craft Beer Label

A lot can happen in less than three seconds. In the crowded craft beer aisle, that’s all the time a packaged beer has to catch a shopper’s eye. A study from Accelerated Marketing Insights by Quad used Tobii 3 eye-tracking technology to explore exactly what drives purchase behavior — and how design plays a starring role. Conducted last fall at Ray’s Wine & Spirits in Wauwatosa, WI, the study tracked 61 participants as they browsed 474 beers across 124 brands. The choice of location was intentional — just outside Milwaukee, a city steeped in brewing history and still deeply tied to beer culture. The study found that packaging design was the third most important consideration for choosing a beer, after flavor and price. In fact, 72% of participants said the packaging made them more likely to buy a beer. That’s not surprising to Shannon Anderson, director of research, Accelerated Marketing Insights by Quad. “Craft beer buyers come in to browse. They’re curious and open to trying something new. That makes visibility and shelf presence critical. If your can doesn’t get noticed, it doesn’t get purchased.”

Amazon’s other businesses continue to outpace retail

Amazon’s retail enterprise, while immense and growing, is increasingly in the shadow of adjacent businesses like advertising, subscriptions and marketplace seller services. In Q2 those operations grew as fast or faster than its online and physical stores and together netted more revenue. The company’s stalwart cloud business also continues to be yet another boon to its e-commerce. Online plus brick-and-mortar net sales topped $67 billion, while advertising plus subscription fees plus seller services, where growth was mostly higher, topped $68 billion. Sales at the AWS unit rose 17.5% year over year to nearly $31 billion. “The solid growth and profitability of AWS and advertising should continue to outperform and support Retail,” Telsey Advisory Group analysts led by Joseph Feldman said in a note on the company’s Q2 report. This is a unique situation in retail, though Amazon is encountering many of the same challenges. Currently that includes uncertainty around tariffs. “There continues to be a lot of noise about the impact that tariffs will have on retail prices and consumption,” Jassy said. “Much of it thus far has been wrong and misreported. As we said before, it’s impossible to know what will happen.”

Jetfire 50 Makes North American Debut at HEIDELBERG Open House

The Jetfire 50 supports a wide range of applications – from personalized print to high-volume transactional and promotional jobs. The highly productive B3 inkjet printing system, seamlessly integrated into a Prinect Production environment, is designed to elevate print businesses through high-speed performance, exceptional quality, and intelligent automation. A key highlight of the event was a live color matching demonstration across HEIDELBERG’s three core press technologies: offset, digital toner, and inkjet. Powered by Prinect workflow and automation software, the demonstration underscored the strength of HEIDELBERG’s hybrid production capabilities, showcasing how consistent color output and seamless integration can be achieved across platforms — a key advantage for printers looking to streamline operations and expand offerings

HARPERCOLLINS CHILDREN’S BOOKS CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF C. S. LEWIS’S ICONIC THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

HarperCollins Children’s Books celebrates the 75th anniversary of one of the most beloved epic fantasy classics of all time—The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The literary world was changed forever when four children stepped through a wardrobe and into the magical land of Narnia in C. S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which originally published in the UK on October 16, 1950, and in the US on November 6, 1950. The Chronicles of Narnia has become a cultural phenomenon, with worldwide sales of the series reaching over 115 million copies, editions available in sixty languages around the world, and adaptations to film, TV, and stage. Most recently, Narnia has been optioned for a new upcoming adaptation to be developed by Netflix.

AAP May 2025 StatShot Report: Overall Publishing Industry Down 7.5% for Month of May, and Down 1.8% Year-To-Date

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) released its StatShot report for May 2025 reflecting reported revenue for Trade (Consumer Books), Religious Presses, Higher Education Course Materials, and Professional Publishing. Total revenues across all categories for May 2025 were down 7.5% as compared to May 2024, coming in at $1.1 billion. Year-to-date revenues were down 1.8%, at $5.2 billion for the first five months of the year.