Paper Clips Industry News | Midland Paper Packaging + Supplies

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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.

AAA Fuel Gauge Report

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Key Currency Exchange Rates

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American Forest & Paper Association Applauds Initial US-EU Trade Deal

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The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock, representing U.S. pulp, tissue, paper, and paper-based packaging manufacturers, today issued the following statement: “AF&PA appreciates the U.S. government’s engagement in securing an initial EU trade deal that will advance reciprocal, fair and balanced trade between our two economies. As non-tariff trade barrier negotiations continue – and to further support U.S. forest product producers' ability to continue shipping over $3.5 billion in essential products to the EU – we urge the Administration to secure a U.S. exemption from the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). “As recognized by USTR’s April National Trade Estimate Report, EUDR in its current form fails to recognize the realities of robust sustainable forest management (SFM) systems in the United States. Although the United States is not a source of global deforestation concerns, it is subject to many of the same burdensome obligations as countries with high deforestation risks. EUDR’s key compliance barrier, strict geolocation traceability, constitutes a significant non-tariff trade barrier, especially given the nature of U.S. pulp & paper supply chains.

Xerox Cuts Deal With Kyocera to Source Production Inkjet Presses

Xerox Holdings Corp. announced it has entered into an agreement with Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. to source Kyocera’s high-speed cut-sheet inkjet production presses. This collaboration marks the company’s re-entry into the fast-growing cut-sheet inkjet (CSIJ) market and significantly broadens its production print portfolio. Through this partnership, Xerox will offer clients high-performance, cost-effective color inkjet presses integrated with the Xerox Production Ecosystem - including Xerox FreeFlow Workflow Automation Software, finishing, and remote service. The new platform will deliver an end-to-end solution tailored to the evolving needs of modern print providers.

How the Lululemon v. Costco case could impact IP strategies for private label branding

The market for knockoff products is at an all-time high, as social media trends and “dupe finder” accounts have led consumers to actively search for duplicate versions, or “dupes” of fashion, makeup and furniture products over the real thing. These products differ from purely counterfeit products, as dupes do not claim to be the authentic item, but instead are openly marketed as convincing lookalikes of the original. Dupes are often seen as cost-effective alternatives to expensive name-brand products, which influencers and users share online to flaunt their affordable alternatives. The craze has not gone unnoticed by designers and brand owners, as popular brands can often spawn hundreds of duplicate listings on online marketplaces, drawing valuable customers away from their brands.

Paper over plastic: the rise of paperization in packaging-Sustana

As sustainability climbs the global agenda, one trend is gaining serious traction: paperization—the transition from plastic to paper-based packaging. Across industries, companies are rethinking how they wrap, protect, and present products with a clear goal in mind: reducing environmental impact. Paper stands out as a packaging hero for several reasons. It’s renewable and recyclable, giving it a clear edge over plastics. Consumers are increasingly choosing brands with eco-friendly credentials, and regulators around the world are tightening restrictions on plastic use. Paper-based packaging offers a practical, scalable solution that satisfies both demands.

Best Buy to pilot Ikea shop-in-shops

In a first for Ikea’s U.S. business, the home goods company will pilot kitchen and storage planning services inside select Best Buy locations, according to a Thursday press release. The in-store collaboration will launch at 10 Best Buy stores throughout Florida and Texas later this year. Two of those locations will also serve as free pickup points for most Ikea orders. The shop-in-shops will feature 1,000-square-foot Ikea footprints showcasing kitchen and laundry room settings, per the release.

While shippers cite merger concerns, rival railroad looks instead to ‘collaborations’

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Canadian National this week was the only Class I railroad to publicly comment on the $85-billion acquisition agreement between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, a corporate marriage that if approved would create the first U.S. transcontinental freight railroad. “CN is closely monitoring the ongoing discussions about possible transcontinental rail mergers,” the Montreal-based company (NYSE: CNI) said in a statement to FreightWaves. “Our focus remains on delivering consistent performance for our customers, pursuing strategic growth opportunities, and creating long-term value for our shareholders. “CN believes this can be achieved through greater collaboration between railways, connecting key markets with critical resources,” as opposed to mergers.

Polyester pushes fashion’s emissions up 7.5 percent. Here’s what it means

The spike comes after several years of trending in the right direction, according to the Apparel Impact Institute. Climate emissions leaped by 7.5 percent in a single year in the fashion industry, which now contributes nearly 2 percent of global climate pollution, according to a new report. The jump in greenhouse gases in 2023 — the most recent year for which full data is available — follows a slight decline of 1.17 percent in 2022, after several flat years. It’s the first time that the annual Taking Stock of the Roadmap to Net Zero report found an emissions spike since its began four years ago with a focus on 2019. Increased use of virgin polyester was a central culprit in the June 23 report from the Apparel Impact Institute (AII) of Oakland, California.

Remembering Tom Gallagher

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Earlier this month we lost a paper industry legend and a dear friend to many. This is a close-knit business we find ourselves in and the relationships we build stand the test of time. And so, it was with Tom Gallagher. Affectionately known as Moose to his friends, Tom was born in Portsmouth, Ohio in 1947. He left us on July 5 at the age of 77. He lived his live to the fullest and those who knew him can attest to that. Tom attended the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated from The Ohio State University in 1977. He remained a lifelong and loyal Buckeye. Many of us got to know Tom as the sales leader at MEAD during the 80’s and 90’s where he spent a majority of his career. After retiring from Mead Westvaco in 2003 he was recruited to work for the West Linn Paper Company and subsequently finished his paper career at Port Hawkesbury. Tom was larger than life in so many ways. He filled a room with laughter and energy. You would not find a more loyal friend and partner. But you did not want to test his Irish temper. He encountered physical challenges later in life and it never got him down. His spirit prevailed and he was always ready for the call. As the Irish say, “his likes will not be seen again”. And so, we leave him to the rest of his journey and cherish the memories he created with us. Tom had 4 children and 9 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Cheryl (Rice) Gallagher. Safe home Tom Gallagher.

Georgia-Pacific President and CEO, Christian Fischer, to Retire at the End of October

Georgia-Pacific shared the news that Christian Fischer, President and CEO, announced he is retiring from the company at the end of October and will work to transition his responsibilities beginning in August. Fischer joined Georgia-Pacific in 1989 and has held numerous leadership roles. He was named President and CEO in 2017. Mark Luetters, currently executive vice president of Koch, Inc., with responsibility overseeing several Koch companies, including Georgia-Pacific, will continue in that role while serving as Georgia-Pacific's President and CEO.

UPM has been recognized by EcoVadis and CDP for its responsible procurement practices

UPM has received a Platinum rating from EcoVadis for its sustainability performance, placing the company in the top 1% globally. The EcoVadis assessment evaluates performance across four categories: Environment, Labor and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. UPM’s overall score rose by 5 points to an impressive 90 out of 100. In addition, UPM received an A score in CDP’s 2024 Supplier Engagement Assessment (SEA), which evaluates how companies engage their supply chains on climate-related issues. According to CDP, companies that actively involve their suppliers in climate change mitigation play a crucial role in the transition to a net-zero, sustainable economy.

International Paper and other Cardboard Box Giants Accused of Price-Fixing in Federal Antitrust Suit

A group of major packaging manufacturers, including International Paper and Packaging Corporation of America, has been hit with a federal antitrust lawsuit alleging a coordinated scheme to inflate prices for containerboard materials used in products like cardboard boxes and retail displays. According to Reuters, the lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, claims the defendants orchestrated a series of parallel price increases that began in late 2020 and collectively raised costs by approximately 30%. The suit was brought by Artuso Pastry Foods Corp, a Mt. Vernon, New York-based business, which is seeking to represent a nationwide class of buyers that may include hundreds of thousands of businesses. The complaint targets several major industry players, including Georgia-Pacific, Greif, Smurfit Westrock, and Graphic Packaging, in addition to International Paper and Packaging Corporation of America. Per Reuters, the lawsuit accuses these companies of implementing “numerous unprecedented and unjustified price increases,” often in near-perfect synchrony, which it says constitutes a violation of U.S. antitrust law.

Adidas braces for $230M tariff hit in the back half of the year

With rival Nike working through sales declines and Puma just last week reporting a sales drop and a guidance cut, Adidas is capitalizing on the moment by kicking up marketing investments and letting others lead the way on price increases in the U.S. “It is very, very important that you don’t run away from the lower price points and believe you can just raise prices and do less volume,” CEO Bjørn Gulden said on a call with analysts Wednesday. “The price increases that might come in the U.S. because of the tariffs should not have any impact on prices in any other market. We will not try to take the tariffs in the U.S. and then put them on the prices in Germany.” Gulden alluded to the fact that Nike would likely lead price increases in the market and Adidas would follow, though the retailer intends to also share the costs of tariffs with suppliers and retailers. Adidas will also drop new products at higher prices than it otherwise would to offset the costs, which is an advantage in some ways since shoppers won’t know there’s been an increase. “We have not canceled one order,” Gulden said, referencing others who have pulled back on inventory purchases in recent quarters. “We have not seen any cancellations yet from any retailers.”

New U.S. Duties Threaten New Brunswick Forestry Sector

New Brunswick’s forestry sector is raising alarm over a U.S. Department of Commerce decision that could see combined duties on Canadian softwood lumber exports rise to 34% by mid-August. The increase includes a sharp jump in anti-dumping duties, from 7.66% to 20.56%, with countervailing duties also expected to rise. The New Brunswick Lumber Producers (NBLP) say the move unfairly targets the province’s distinct forestry model, which relies heavily on private wood sources and market-based pricing. “This increase is unjustified,” said Jerome Pelletier and Glen Warmen, Co-Chairs of the NBLP. “New Brunswick is being penalized by a trade case that fails to recognize the province’s unique system and high use of private wood.”

FSC Moves Forward with Remedy Process to Address Harms Caused by APP Operations

The Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) decision to lift the suspension of Asia Pulp and Paper’s (APP) remedy process marks an important step in ensuring accountability for past environmental and social harms. Remedy is the pathway FSC uses to confront serious violations — not avoid them — and to drive real, lasting change on the ground. The suspension, enacted in January 2025, was a precautionary measure triggered by a change in beneficial ownership within APP. It was not related to APP’s performance under the Remedy Framework. FSC commissioned an independent legal review to assess the implications of this ownership concentration, and that review is still ongoing. A summary of its findings will be published once complete. What is already clear, however, is that APP remains obligated to implement full remedy - and that obligation is not in question. Delaying implementation of remedy until every aspect of APP’s corporate structure is fully resolved risks withholding access to remedy from affected communities and ecosystems. Remedy is not a certification, nor is it a sign of forgiveness. It is a corrective, multi-stage process designed to hold companies accountable for past harms and transform how they operate.

UPS volume and revenue decline in Q2

The United Parcel Service (UPS) revenue slipped in Q2, with its international segment mitigating the decrease. Part of that decrease came from reducing the volume of parcels UPS processes from Amazon. Director and CEO Carol Tome told investors on the carrier’s Q2 earnings call that its financial results “reflect the impact of a complex macro environment, driven by ever-evolving trade policies, as well as the significant actions we are taking to strengthen UPS’ competitive and financial positioning.” She cited data from consultancy firm McKinsey & Company that indicated consumer spending on discretionary categories, including restaurants and automobiles, outpaced growth in essential items for the first time in three years. Additionally, she said, manufacturing activity in the U.S. “remains soft.” In turn, those macroeconomic factors impacted market demand. “The overall U.S. economy demonstrated continued resilience, but our sector, specifically the U.S. small package market, was unfavorably impacted by U.S. consumer sentiment that was near historic lows,” Tome told investors.

Consumer confidence inched up in July

Consumer confidence rebounded slightly in July as Americans felt more optimistic about the future even as they continued to worry that tariffs would lead to higher prices. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose by 2.0 points in July to 97.2 from 95.2 in June. The Present Situation Index — based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions — fell 1.5 points to 131.5. The Expectations Index — based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions — rose 4.5 points to 74.4. “Consumer confidence has stabilized since May, rebounding from April’s plunge, but remains below last year’s heady levels,” said Stephanie Guichard, senior economist, global indicators at The Conference Board. “In July, pessimism about the future receded somewhat, leading to a slight improvement in overall confidence.”

Environmental Paper Assessment Tool’s Post

Across the EPAT network, we’re seeing real action from partners working to raise the bar on sustainability. These are small steps that have a big impact. -Sappi North America continues to lead on certified fiber sourcing and transparent reporting. -UPM is investing heavily in decarbonizing mills and boosting renewable energy use. -Resolute Forest Products is expanding forest stewardship and climate risk reporting. Each of these moves helps EPAT users measure, manage, and share credible data on the environmental footprint of paper products - from forest to finished piece. We’re proud to support companies that don’t just talk about sustainability but back it up with clear, measurable actions. Better data, better decisions - for a lower-impact future.

Tetra Pak achieves EcoVadis Platinum medal rating for sustainability

Tetra Pak has joined the top 1% of companies achieving the highest possible rating in latest EcoVadis assessment Tetra Pak has achieved the highest EcoVadis sustainability rating, earning the prestigious Platinum medal in the globally recognised assessment. This demonstrates the quality of its sustainability management system and commitment to transparency throughout the value chain, placing Tetra Pak among the top 1% of over 130,000 companies assessed1 and representing a major milestone in its sustainability journey. The rating underscores Tetra Pak’s efforts to integrate sustainability into the core of its business across all four EcoVadis assessment categories: environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.

Direct Mail Testing Made Easy: Smart Experiments for Bigger Result

Direct mail delivers proven results, but are you getting the best possible performance from your campaigns? Many marketers skip testing because they assume it’s too complex or too expensive. But here’s the truth: You don’t need a massive budget or sophisticated tools to run smart, insightful direct mail tests. In fact, small, strategic tweaks can lead to big boosts in response rates, ROI, and campaign learnings. Here’s how to make direct mail testing simple, practical, and worth your time.

Quad reports on Postal, Paper & Logistics update: July 2025

In brief: New Postmaster General (PMG) David Steiner takes the helm of the USPS and defends the agency’s independence. Paper market order lead times and prices are stable. The logistics market has slowed down after a pre-tariffs spike in imports in June.

Sappi Launches North America’s Most Advanced Paper Machine, Meeting Demand for High-Quality Sustainable Packaging

In response to rising demand for high-quality, fiber-based sustainable packaging, Sappi North America today announced that it is delivering commercial product to customers following the completion of Project Elevate, the $500 million conversion and expansion of Paper Machine No. 2 (PM2) at its Somerset Mill in Maine. Qualification processes are being completed with a number of customers, and production will ramp up to full volumes through 2026. The investment doubles PM2’s production capacity and strengthens Sappi’s position as a leader in sustainable packaging by transforming Somerset into one of the most advanced production sites for high-performance SBS (solid bleached sulfate) paperboard. “This is a pivotal moment for Sappi North America,” said Michael Haws, President and CEO. “With PM2, we have delivered the largest rebuild in our company’s history, doubling the machine’s capacity and positioning Somerset as a leader in sustainably manufactured paperboard. The true success of this project lies in our people. Their precision, focus, and unwavering commitment to safety enabled us to complete a complex transformation, all while keeping the mill fully operational. This investment goes beyond machinery; it's about laying the foundation for long-term innovation, sustainable growth, and lasting impact." As production continues to ramp up, this strategic investment is planned to deliver 520,000 short tons (approximately 470,000 metric tons) of annual capacity and expands Sappi’s ability to produce a full range of high-performance SBS paperboard grades, including folding carton, food service board, and cups.

Athleta brings on Nike veteran to reboot stalled turnaround.

In a sign it’s serious about yanking Athleta from its doldrums, Gap Inc. has tapped Nike veteran Maggie Gauger to be global brand president and CEO, effective Friday. Gauger has been at Nike for more than two decades, most recently leading the North America women’s business. She replaces former Alo Yoga executive Chris Blakeslee, who arrived two years ago, after longtime Gap Inc. executive Mary Beth Laughton abruptly left. It was clear by this past spring that analysts had lowered their expectations of Athleta, though less clear when their patience might run out. “The Athleta turnaround is definitely taking longer than the market has expected and while we are believers it will turn it may not be in 2025,” Evercore analysts led by Michael Binetti said in a May client note. The brand has eluded the upswing seen at Gap Inc. since Richard Dickson’s arrival as CEO two years ago, the same week Blakeslee joined. Laughton, also a Nike vet who took the Athleta post in 2019, had herself been working on a turnaround, but left shortly after it became clear that merchandising changes under her watch were falling flat.

US-EU tariff deal: Packaging industry faces supply chain shocks and energy transition challenges

The US Government and the EU have announced an import tariff deal, imposing a 15% tariff on most goods entering the US from Europe, with the exception of steel which is still taxed at 50%. But while the agreement may have diffused a trade war, it risks sidelining shared priorities such as climate targets, circularity, and harmonized safety standards. Packaging Insights delves into the tariffs’ potential consequences for the packaging economy and trade relations on both sides of the Atlantic. “This decision [to impose 15% import tariffs on EU goods] introduces a serious barrier for many EU packaging material providers, especially SMEs,” Iva Werbynska, European ambassador of the World Packaging Organization and managing director at the Czech and Slovak Packaging Institute SYBA, tells us. “The EU is a global leader in high-quality and sustainable packaging materials — from fiber-based solutions to advanced barrier technologies. A 15% tariff makes these products less competitive in the US market and may discourage transatlantic collaboration at a time when joint innovation is needed most.

Toxic chemicals contained by shuttering Chillicothe Pixelle plant could infect air and groundwater

Chillicothe's Pixelle paper mill, which is set to close in August, has a secondary function: it helps contain a toxic plume of cancer-causing chemicals underground that were spilled by a former cookware manufacturer decades ago. Ohio EPA records from 2022 indicated that if the paper plant closed, it would be a "worst case scenario." Chillicothe and state officials say there's no immediate threat to residents from the contaminants and efforts are being made to improve monitoring. A toxic underground plume of soil and groundwater has tested positive for extremely high levels of trichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride for decades. The last report from the Ohio EPA released this month showed TCE levels at 15 times the "maximum contaminant level" for TCE and 100 times for the max for vinyl chloride. The Ohio EPA has been monitoring the well for decades since before the nearby WearEver alumninum cookware manufacturing plant closed in the 1990s. Pixelle, alongside WearEver's current owner, HowMet Aerospace, have worked together to operate wells that contain the contaminants.

Rethinking Adhesives and Barriers for Sustainable Packaging

Qwarzo founder: Mineral-based coatings to become standard in packaging Regulatory pressure and new consumer demands are pushing the packaging market to incorporate mineral-based coatings, according to Luca Panzeri, founder and CTO at Qwarzo. Panzeri stresses that mineral-based coatings will become the new standard for F&B, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical packaging. He notes that businesses must adopt a different design approach, as replicating plastic with paper can lead to issues. Qwarzo is an Italy-based company that develops plastic and PFAS-free barrier coatings. Packaging Insights speaks to Panzeri about the Qwarzo material and its importance for the future of sustainable packaging. Mineral-based coatings are made from natural compounds like silica, such a Qwarzo, clay, or calcium carbonate. Recently, the company equipped Starbucks and Lavazza with its coating technology, increasing its expansion in the European market.

Mattel to keep roughly half of US toys below $20

Mattel’s goal is to keep prices as low as possible, according to executives. “We’re committed to the uninterrupted supply for a wide range of high-quality products and providing the right balance of price and value for our customers,” said Ruh, who joined the company roughly two months ago. With nearly 80% of toys imported to the U.S. coming from China, the category could prove to be especially vulnerable to the impact of tariffs. That is on top of a consumer base that is already stating prices will impact their purchasing behaviors during the back-to-school season, per an ICSC report. However, CEO Ynon Kreiz doesn’t see consumers as any more price sensitive compared to a year ago, as the company has been working “very closely with our retail partners when we consider pricing” headed into the second half of the year and the holiday season. The company expects the total tariff exposure for this year before any mitigating actions to be under $100 million. Mattel last quarter forecast a $270 million impact from tariffs.

Your Whole Team Benefits from Paper Meets LIVE! September 16-18.

There's no better place to invest in your team's growth than Paper Meets LIVE! Whether you're developing rising stars or deepening relationships with key partners, maximize your visibility and impact by bringing multiple members of your organization. Paper Meets LIVE! 2025, co-hosted by AF&PA and NPTA, will take place Sept. 16-18 at the Opal Sands Resort in Clearwater Beach, Florida. Representatives from virtually every segment of the paper industry supply chain attend this annual event. Attending can spark collaboration and connection, accelerate leadership development, and align your team around industry trends and opportunities.

Mary Kay Goes Green With Electric Cadillac

July 28, 2025
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Mary Kay Inc.’s Cadillac incentive might be pink, but is is also going green. The multilevel marketing company is transforming its beloved pink Cadillac incentive into an electric vehicle. The pink Cadillac Optiq (pronounced Optic) made its debut during Mary Kay’s annual Seminar, hosted for the first time in Charlotte, North Carolina. The transition from internal combustion to electric symbolizes more than just a vehicle upgrade. It marks a recharged vision for the future of the iconic beauty brand, according to the company. The new Cadillac model is a significant step forward in Mary Kay’s commitment to innovation, environmental responsibility, and meeting expectations of the next generation of both Mary Kay independent sales force members and their customers, per a press release.

Kruger Plans $700M Investment to Transform Corner Brook Mill

Kruger has announced a sweeping diversification plan to secure the future of its Corner Brook Pulp and Paper operations, proposing an investment of up to $700 million to transform the mill into a modernized, sustainable manufacturing hub. The ambitious project—pending alignment with key stakeholders—aims to position the facility as one of the most competitive in the pulp and paper industry. In addition to modernizing production lines, Kruger plans to build a new pulp storage facility, upgrade site infrastructure, improve chip handling systems, and implement a biomass drying and unloading operation for its cogeneration plant.

Westrock Coffee Bolsters Single Serve Beverage Cup Production

Westrock Coffee is expanding its US operations with a new manufacturing facility in Conway, Arkansas, to produce millions of single-serve coffee cups daily. The private-label coffee and tea manufacturer, one of the largest in North America, opened the facility to meet rising demand from “existing and new” global customers, including “some of the largest retail and coffee brands in the region.” “The single-serve category is evolving rapidly, and we are scaling our operations to meet our customers’ needs,” says Will Ford, chief operating officer at Westrock Coffee. The company identifies rising global demand for “single-serve coffee” solutions. For example, according to Westrock Coffee, the coffee pods market, valued at US$35.3 billion in 2024, is projected to more than double to US$71.2 billion by 2034 as consumers seek “fast, high-quality coffee with added convenience.”

Trending at Mid-Year: Packaging Design that Serves the Brand

With the first half of 2025 behind us, Packaging Digest’s January prediction that smart packaging and branding would play a pivotal role in the year’s packaging design strategies is bearing out. The integration of digital technology with physical marketing collateral, including packaging, continues apace. “Today’s consumer expects every brand interaction to reinforce a distinct personality and promise, whether they’re scrolling a mobile ad, picking up a product on shelf, or engaging with content in store or on social,” says Philip Congello, EVP of client success at marketing agency Mod Op. The idea of a brand world will become more prominent, where all aspects of a brand’s visual and experiential elements are unified. This includes packaging, advertising, digital experiences, and in-store displays and artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced tech creating a cohesive and immersive brand experience. The brand world is getting bigger.

Billerud advances investments in Michigan mills to drive innovation, sustainability, and economic growth

Billerud is advancing steadily on its investments in its Escanaba and Quinnesec mills in Michigan. This strategic initiative is the foundation of the company’s “Way Forward” strategy to enhance operational flexibility, expand product offerings, and support long-term economic and sustainability goals in North America. “In December 2024, we announced major capital investments in our Escanaba and Quinnesec mills,” said Doug Schwartz, President of Billerud North America. “These investments are vital to optimizing our paper machine capabilities, expanding into packaging materials, and continuing to deliver market-leading graphic papers, specialty label papers, and market pulp.” Escanaba Mill woodyard rebuild underway. New packaging products ready for market.

The USPS Celebrates 250 Years of Dedicated Service

Founded in 1775 — before the founding of our country, in fact — the United States Postal Service is celebrating 250 years of continuous service. In a statement on its website about the impressive achievement, the agency notes, “On July 26, 1775, a year before declaring independence from Great Britain, members of the Second Continental Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin the first American Postmaster General at a meeting in Philadelphia. Our founding fathers knew that a robust, reliable, and secure means of exchanging information was critical to unify the distant parts of our nation — and to maintain unity once we achieved independence.” So not only is Ben Franklin a pillar of the print community, he is also the father of the mail space as well. An impressive legacy to say the least.

How a Toilet Paper Test Flushed Out False Claims — and What FSC Did About It

In March 2024, Which? magazine tested several “100% bamboo” toilet papers on UK shelves. The result? Some contained no bamboo at all — just fast-growing hardwoods like eucalyptus and acacia. That’s not just misleading; it’s a serious breach of trust. And trust is something FSC takes seriously. When approached for comment, we immediately opened an investigation into the FSC-certified products in question. Working with our assurance partner Assurance Services International (ASI), we investigated the fiber supply chains and uncovered clear misuse of the FSC label. The result? One Chinese certificate holder has now been blocked from the FSC system for making false claims. That means they lose the right to use our trademark and are barred from certification for a specified period. It’s one of the strongest actions FSC can take—and a clear message to others.

INKJET MELTDOWN: Office printer loses it over double-sided print job

July 24, 2025
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Chaos. Ink everywhere. The breakroom may never recover. Fortunately, sensational cleaning supplies are just a few clicks away. 💥 Budget-friendly editor's picks 🧼 Outrageous savings 🎁 Free swag on $150+ orders 👉 Stock up now at SupplyLand.com Because when printers snap, someone’s gotta clean it up. Chaos. Ink everywhere. The breakroom may never recover. Fortunately, sensational cleaning supplies are just a few clicks away. 💥 Budget-friendly editor's picks 🧼 Outrageous savings 🎁 Free swag on $150+ orders 👉 Stock up now at SupplyLand.com Because when printers snap, someone’s gotta clean it up.

Mourning Ozzy Osbourne

July 24, 2025
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The former frontman of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath died on Tuesday at the age of 76. Ozzy Osbourne, legendary frontman of the English band Black Sabbath, singer-songwriter, and TV personality, died on Tuesday at the age of 76. A pioneer of heavy metal music, Osbourne leaves behind a musical legacy spanning more than five decades. BMG manages the classic Black Sabbath song catalog outside North America.

AAA Fuel Gauge Report

July 24, 2025
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Key Currency Exchange Rates

July 24, 2025
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UPM expands North American label capacity with new coating technology at Mills River site

UPM Adhesive Materials will increase its production capacity in North America by installing proprietary multifunctional coating technology at its Mills River facility in North Carolina. The upgrade is designed to expand local supply of high-performance label materials used in wine and spirits, pharmaceuticals, industrial labeling, and postal applications, based on a company announcement from UPM Adhesive Materials. The Mills River factory, which has operated under the Raflatac brand for more than 25 years, currently produces paper and film-based label materials. With this investment, it will broaden its output to include higher-value laminates with enhanced functionality and visual appeal, catering to increasing demand in specialized packaging markets.

Tractor Supply to ramp up store openings, with plans for 100 new locations next year

Tractor Supply on Thursday reported that Q2 net sales rose 4.5% year over year to $4.4 billion, with store comps up 1.5% — the retailer’s “largest sales quarter ever,” CEO Hal Lawton told analysts. A year ago, the company saw comps drop 0.5%. Gross margin expanded to 36.9% from 36.6% last year, as net income rose 1.1% to $430 million. The company reaffirmed its full-year outlook, saying it expects net sales to rise 4% to 8%, comps to be flat or rise as much as 4% and net income to land between $1.07 billion and $1.17 billion. In Q2 the retailer opened 24 new Tractor Supply stores and two under the Petsense by Tractor Supply banner, and closed one Petsense by Tractor Supply location. The plan is to open 100 new stores in 2026, with the help of the recent acquisition of 18 Big Lots locations, executives said Thursday.

Turning a New Page: Sappi Enters the Book Paper Market

Sappi Europe, a leading producer of graphic papers, announces the expansion of its Galerie portfolio with the launch of Galerie Book, a mechanical uncoated paper tailored to the specific needs of the book publishing market. Produced at Sappi's world-leading Kirkniemi Mill in Finland, this strategic product expansion builds on Sappi's strengths and addresses the growing need for reliable, sustainable, and versatile book paper options.

UPM plans to end paper production in Kaukas, Lappeenranta and plans to shift coated mechanical paper production in Finland to its Rauma mill

Driven by structural overcapacity in the graphic paper markets and the need to ensure long-term competitiveness of its operations, UPM Communication Papers plans to end paper production at UPM Kaukas paper mill, Finland, reducing the annual production capacity of coated mechanical paper by 300,000 tonnes. The shutdown of the paper machine (PM 1) is planned for the end of the year 2025. UPM’s pulp, sawn timber and biofuels production and R&D activities at UPM Kaukas integrate will continue as before. Decisions on final plans would be made after the co-determination processes have been concluded in line with local legislation in Finland. Should the plans be implemented the number of employees affected at UPM Kaukas paper mill is estimated at 220.

What The White House ‘AI Action Plan’ Means For Advertisers

The White House on Wednesday released its AI Action Plan, a set of proposals developed by the Trump administration to meet the United States' goal for dominance in artificial intelligence (AI). Here is what we know so far. The 90 federal actions focus on three areas: increasing private-sector innovation, expanding AI-related infrastructure and exporting American AI. The goal is set on "winning the AI race" against global competitors like China. “The United States must also drive adoption of American AI systems, computing hardware, and standards throughout the world,” according to the document. “America currently is the global leader on data center construction, computing hardware performance, and models.”

Survey: Nearly half of consumers engage in retail therapy to improve mood

While many consumers are attempting to curb spending amid stressful financial times, retail therapy is the answer for some — with the habit fueled by buy now, pay later options. Nearly half (47%) of consumers engage in retail therapy to improve their mood, with the most common purchases being food (63%), clothing and accessories (54%), and personal care or beauty products (42%), according to a new survey from LendingTree, Overall, 54% of Americans consider retail therapy a form of "self care." More than six-in-10 (63%) Americans admit that their emotions influence their purchases, with the percentage particularly high among six-figure earners (72%), those with children younger than 18 (70%) and Gen Z respondents ages 18 to 28 (69%).

Unlock the power of touch in your direct mail strategy-Sappi Webinar Today

SAPPI PRESENTS: Direct Mail and the Power of Sensory Marketing--Webinar TODAY sign up in the link below. Direct mail’s greatest strength is its physical presence. In today’s digital world, the tactile engagement of physical mail makes a powerful impact and leaves a lasting impression. It’s more than just a message—it’s an opportunity to strategically engage the senses and connect with consumers on multiple levels. Want to see how you can leverage the power of touch for your brand’s direct mail marketing plan?

Introducing Pennacook Offset from ND Paper

ND Paper proudly presents Pennacook Offset, an uncoated printing paper that blends modern papermaking technology with the deep-rooted history of Rumford, Maine. Produced at our Rumford mill, this offset sheet is engineered for optimal pressroom performance, offering excellent printability, and consistent quality. With the recent installation of a new size press on R15, along with strategic mill-wide upgrades, ND Paper is investing in the future of quality, efficiency, and sustainability. These enhancements allow us to deliver even greater surface uniformity, improved print quality, and better ink holdout—ensuring that Pennacook Offset not only honors tradition, but also meets the demands of today’s print market.

Introducing the World’s Most Sustainable Synthetic Paper.

Finally—a synthetic paper that checks all the boxes for performance and sustainability. Digital Edge Environmental Polyester is made from 100% post consumer recycled content and is 100% recyclable, thanks to a patented closed-loop process that delivers the same quality and durability as virgin material. Simply put, MIDLAND’s Digital Edge Environmental Polyester is the logical choice for printers and end-users alike who wish to excel in their approach to sustainability while minimizing their environmental impact.

Yankee Candle is rebranding to regain relevancy amid sales declines

Yankee Candle is unveiling a rebrand on Wednesday, part of a larger strategy to gain relevancy with younger shoppers and turn around declining sales. The rebrand features a new logo and new wax formulation, on top of new behind-the-scenes strategies to juice up its marketing and invest more heavily in its store footprint. Aaron Swart, who became the svp and gm of home fragrance at Yankee Candle’s owner Newell Brands last summer, told Modern Retail a relaunch was necessary due to sales slumps, an outdated look and a need to appeal to younger customers to drive growth.

Climate-smart packaging: Industry scales circularity through design and innovation

Climate-smart packaging innovation is advancing through circular design, the increased use of recycled and renewable materials, and improved recyclability across the value chain. Design plays a pivotal role in minimizing packaging’s environmental impact and maximizing its compatibility within a circular economy, according to Michelle Fitzpatrick, vice president and chief sustainability officer at Graphic Packaging International. “Up to 80% or more of a product’s environmental impact is determined by decisions made during its design phase."

Industry-First Green Hydrogen Deals Signed by Andrex® and Kleenex® Producer, Kimberly-Clark

imberly-Clark UK & Ireland, manufacturer of leading household name brands including Andrex® and Kleenex®, becomes the first major consumer products company in the UK to make a significant commitment to green hydrogen, signalling its commitment to a more sustainable future. The company announces today that together with its energy partners, Carlton Power and HYRO (a joint venture between Octopus Energy Generation and RES), it is investing over £125 million into the emerging energy solution at its two plants in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria and Northfleet, Kent. Combined, the two sites produce nearly one billion Andrex toilet rolls and over 150 million boxes of Kleenex tissues every year. Through the investment, Kimberly-Clark expects to see a 50% reduction versus its 2024 consumption of natural gas across its UK production lines from 2027.

Only 1 in 5 public restrooms meet hygiene, cleanliness expectations, new Tork survey finds

July 23, 2025
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Tork, an Essity brand and the global leader in professional hygiene, announced findings of a global survey of restroom users and cleaning staff that explores attitudes toward hygiene in public restrooms, the hygiene barriers that users encounter, the challenges cleaners face and the consequences of a poor restroom experience. Public restrooms are failing hygiene expectations globally – and it’s costing businesses The research, which surveyed 11,500 people across 11 countries, shows there are high expectations for hygiene and cleanliness in the public restroom. 74% expect moderate or high levels of hygiene. Yet, only 20% of restrooms deliver on those expectations 1. 40% of the general population is “very concerned” with hygiene and cleanliness of public spaces and that number jumps to 60% for people with conditions like germaphobia. A poor restroom experience can trigger powerful emotions and measurable business consequences. When expectations for cleanliness are not met, users feel disgusted (27%), uncomfortable (26%) and frustrated (22%). And 52% of people take action after a poor restroom experience.

Nordstrom Rack adds five new stores to 2026 lineup — here are the locations

Nordstrom continues to expand its off-price division. 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.

APWU Launches National Ad; Warns of Price Hikes, Post Office Closures in Anti-Privatization Campaign

July 22, 2025
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This week the American Postal workers Union (APWU) launched a national advertising campaign to alert the public about proposed plans to privatize the public Postal Service. The ad called “Memo” highlights a document sent by Wells Fargo Equity Research to investors detailing how proposed plans by the White House to privatize postal services would lead to the closing of local post offices, skyrocketing price hikes to send a letter or package, and an end to the “Universal Service Obligation” where mail is delivered six and sometimes seven times a week to 169 million addresses.

Trump’s trade war taking biggest toll on nation’s smaller, secondary ports from California to Gulf Coast

July 22, 2025
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Secondary and smaller ports across the U.S. are processing less trade as shippers readjust supply chains against the latest tariff deadlines. Ports of Oakland, Jacksonville, New Orleans, and Panama City, Florida, are among those "getting sandwiched out of port calls as more shippers decide to unload their freight in the larger ports," said Paul Brashier, vice president of global supply chain at ITS Logistics. "This is not a seasonal dip, but a market recalibration," said a top official at Port of Oakland.

Inside the CIRCLE Act’s bipartisan recycling balancing act

he bill creates an investment tax credit for eligible recycling infrastructure and aims to complement state EPR policies, boost job growth and support domestic manufacturing. Supporters of a new investment tax credit bill are leaning into its bipartisan elements in an effort to boost recycling infrastructure spending across the country. The Cultivating Investment in Recycling and Circular Local Economies (CIRCLE) Act calls for establishing a 30% investment tax credit on private investments in certain recycling infrastructure, phased out over 10 years. Local municipalities that make similar investments would receive a direct rebate equal to the credit, according to the bill.

Hood Container Announces $118.9 Million Modernization Project at Historic Paper Mill in St. Francisville

Hood Container Corporation, a family-owned packaging and paper company, announced it will invest $118.9 million to modernize its legacy paper mill in West Feliciana Parish, allowing the company to significantly boost production capacity and quality to meet evolving market demands. The company is expected to retain 295 current positions with an estimated salary more than 30% above the parish average. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in an additional 819 indirect new jobs. The project will center around upgrading Hood Container’s primary paper machine, which will increase production capacity by 80,000 tons per year. With the manufacturing of more, higher-quality products, the company anticipates buying an additional 204,000 tons of wood chips and 22,000 tons of recycled boxes annually. The investment will also include significant improvements to the facility’s recovery boiler, which is essential in powering the mill.

Vuori plots international growth with 15 stores

The activewear brand, which will open two locations this fall, has expanded its e-commerce presence to an additional 11 countries as it looks to grow overseas. As Lululemon looks to quadruple its international revenue by 2026, rival Vuori is leaning into its own global expansion. The activewear brand is opening its first locations in Seoul, South Korea, and Beijing this fall, on a path to running more than 100 stores globally by the end of the year, per a company press release emailed to Retail Dive. The Seoul store will be run by a franchise partner and open in September, while Beijing is planned for October. Those locations will be part of about 15 international stores Vuori expects to operate by 2026. The retailer already runs stores in London and Shanghai, and has a “strong start to wholesale” in Japan and Europe. At the same time, Vuori has expanded its e-commerce platform to 11 additional countries: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Portugal and Japan.

ICSC: Consumers heading to stores for back-to-school shopping

Shoppers started back-to-school shopping early this year in search of deals to help offset higher costs. Nearly half (48%) of U.S. adults will make back-to-school purchases this year, according to ICSC's 2025 Back-to-School Consumer Survey. The majority (59%) expect to purchase most of their items in physical stores, up from 54% who said the same in 2024. Only 17% plan to shop fully online. Discount stores remain the most popular type of retailer for 62% of back-to-school shoppers, followed by Amazon (57%) and dollar/variety stores (42%).

Notpla develops seaweed-based drinks carrier for London’s Allianz Stadium

Allianz Stadium in London, UK, has become the first in the country to adopt a plastic-free and home-compostable drinks carrier at the recent England XV versus France XV rugby match. The rugby ball-shaped drinks carrier was developed by Notpla, a provider of seaweed packaging. “We’re proud to work with Notpla to deliver practical, visible steps toward a more sustainable matchday and event experience. This new drinks carrier is just one more example of how these changes, delivered at scale, can make a big difference for our fans and the planet,” says Gary Cargill, director of Catering Services, Twickenham Experience, at Allianz Stadium. “This kind of collaboration — with a venue willing to lead and a caterer committed to action — is how we make plastic-free stadiums a reality and really tackle the problem of single-use plastics head-on.

HEIDELBERG Establishes New Platform for Digital Transformation of Print Shops

Printing industry managers still regard the digitalization and automation of business and production processes as one of their biggest challenges. The entire printing sector is in the midst of the digital transformation and many print shops are searching for solutions that will enable them to put the new technological possibilities to successful use in their business models. Surveys conducted by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) among printing companies in all key markets worldwide confirm these findings. “Automation is becoming all the more important for the competitiveness of print shops as print runs shrink, the volume of small jobs grows, staff shortages increase, and personnel costs rise ever higher. In this situation, attention is focusing on hybrid print production with an automated and increasingly AI-driven workflow,” says Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG

Mid-Year Recap: Old and new retailers continue to expand despite challenges

From C-suite shakeups and bankruptcies to sticky inflation, tariff threats and anxious consumers, it’s been a challenging year so far for the retail industry. Uncertainty seems to be the dominant theme, among consumers and retailers alike. There’s no denying that the pace of store closures picked up considerably these past six months, as former retail giants Party City, Joann, Forever 21 and, most recently, Rite Aid, all go dark. (On a brighter note, Big Lots got a last-minute reprieve and has been re-opening stores under its new owner.) But it’s not all doom and gloom, not by a longshot. Many retailers continue to expand. Burlington, Five Below, Nordstrom Rack, TJX Cos., Tractor Supply Co., Ollie’s, Boot Barn and Aldi are among the companies with robust expansion plans. And there are plenty more (including, of course, those perennial expanders Dollar General and Dollar Tree). Barnes & Noble has also returned to brick-and-mortar growth mode, with a smaller, more curated footprint.

Digital printing for packaging to near $37 billion in 2030: Smithers study

The global digital packaging and label printing market is worth $22.0 billion, accounting for 4.1% of all printed packaging in 2025, says a new study by UK-based researcher Smithers. That share is forecasted to climb to 5.8% in 2030 when it will reach $36.9 billion. Digital printing is growing much more rapidly than the dominant analogue print methods. Digital is widely used in labels, but the scalability and versatility of inkjet is making it increasingly attractive for large-format presses designed to print folding cartons, corrugated, and flexible paper and film substrates. Converters are developing major improvements in upstream order processing, design, approval and prepress; and downstream finishing and logistics, as more brands and retailers take advantage of the benefits of digital print production, the report says.

FedEx and UPS cease parcel discounts, ‘weaponize’ fuel surcharges: report

Carriers pivot to chasing profitable customers rather than protecting market share Legacy parcel carriers FedEx and UPS have begun to discontinue commercial discounts, previously offered in response to increased market competition, prioritizing instead high-yield shipments and profitability to better meet Wall Street expectations, according to the TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index published this week. Businesses are paying more per package shipped with FedEx (NYSE: FDX) and UPS (NYSE: UPS) as the couriers’ ground networks lose volume at the bottom end and replace some of that with express volume as customers trade down in service levels. The shift of cost-conscious shippers to alternative providers with slower, cheaper services is reflected in the ground parcel cost per package reaching a record high of 32% above the index’s 2018 baseline during the second quarter.

Drewry: Ocean rates fall for fifth straight week

July 21, 2025
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Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) tracking ocean freight rates declined 2.6% this week, marking the fifth consecutive week of decreases. The analyst in an update said that the trend indicates a significant shift in market dynamics following a volatile period induced by increased U.S. tariffs in April, and a subsequent China-U.S. tariff pause. Although the tariffs initially caused a lagged market reaction that saw rates climbing in May and surging into early June, this upward trajectory has not been sustained as rates have steadily dropped since mid-June. Trans-Pacific spot rates have also felt the impact, with prices from Shanghai to Los Angeles currently down by 4% to $2,817 per forty foot equivalent unit (FEU). Similarly, rates on the Shanghai to New York route have declined by 6%, to $4,539 per FEU. Drewry said that despite these decreases, rates on both lanes remain higher than levels observed 10 weeks ago when tariff anxieties were initially escalating. Rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles are still up 4%, while those to New York have climbed by 24% compared to the figures on May 8.

Apparel, department stores struggling the most under US trade policy, analysis shows

U.S. apparel, footwear and department store retailers and brands are facing a tough road thanks to the country’s tariff-heavy trade policy. As they sell through inventories acquired earlier this year, import duties will eat into their profitability, and, with little room to raise prices, revenue will grow 3% at most, according to a recent Moody’s Ratings report. The analysts led by Senior Vice President Christina Boni give the sector a negative outlook, stating “the consumer environment remains difficult.” These retailers are “the most exposed to current tariffs and vulnerable to further increases,” Boni said.

Shoppers will show up this holiday season despite tariffs, according to survey

Shoppers won’t let economic and political turbulence deter them from holiday shopping— but many will skip the old playbook. Three-quarters (75%) of consumers say they’ll spend the same or more on gifts this year, with Gen Z (29%) and millennials (25%) leading the charge in spending more, according to Salsify's inaugural 2025 Consumer Holiday Shopping Report. But from AI-curated gift guides and the digital takeover of Black Friday to the decline of social media’s shopping influence, consumers will rewrite the rules of the holiday season, noted the report.

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

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the June 2025 Packaging Papers Monthly report on July 17. According to the report, total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in June increased 5% compared to June 2024. They were down 2% when compared to the same six months of 2024. The total operating rate increased 5.8 points since May and was up 1.2 points year-to-date. Bleached and unbleached bag & sack shipments were down 9.5% compared to the first half of 2024. Total U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Shipments Increased 5% in June 2025

Northern Pulp Ends Mill Project in Nova Scotia

Over five years after the closure of its kraft pulp mill in Pictou County, Northern Pulp has announced it will sell its assets, effectively ending discussions surrounding the construction of a new facility in Nova Scotia. The decision follows the failure of a restart project developed as part of an agreement reached with the Nova Scotia government in May 2024. A feasibility study conducted under this agreement concluded that the proposed project would not achieve the required 14% internal rate of return to justify the investment. The planned facility—a next-generation biorefinery in Liverpool with an estimated cost of more than $2.5 billion—was ultimately deemed financially unviable by its proponents.

Random House to Publish a Book of Personal Photographs by George Harrison, Beatles Guitarist

Random House, an imprint of the Random House Publishing Group, will publish THE THIRD EYE, a book of personal photographs by renowned musician and Beatles guitarist George Harrison. Spanning the years 1963 – 1969, THE THIRD EYE will feature more than 250 intimate color and black and white photographs — the majority of which are previously unpublished — of the Beatles at work and at play, from Liverpool to Shea Stadium to Adelaide to India, all taken by Harrison. The book is being compiled and curated by Olivia Harrison, George’s widow. Included will be an essay by Olivia as well as George’s own words alongside the photographs.

What is Paperboard Packaging?

When you reach for your favorite cereal in the morning, you probably don’t think much about the box it comes in. But did you know that your cereal box isn’t made of cardboard? It’s actually made of something called paperboard! Common Uses of Paperboard Packaging Food & Beverage: Examples include dry-food boxes like cereal or pasta, frozen food packages, gum packaging and snack containers. Pharmaceutical & Healthcare: Examples include over-the-counter medicine boxes and personal care product packaging for things like toothpaste, tissues, band-aids and bars of soap. Cosmetics & Beauty Products: Examples include packaging for hair dye, face creams and make-up. Electronics: Examples include small electronics like tablets, phones and cords. Consumer Goods & Household Products: Examples include boxes of envelopes, stationery and toy packaging.

Axel Springer CEO Tells Staff They Only Have To Explain If They Didn’t Use AI

Axel Springer, owner of Politico, Politico, Business Insider, Bild and Welt, is going all in on AI. “Nobody in the company has to explain in the company why she or he is using AI to do something — whether to prepare a presentation or analyze a document,” said CEO Mathias Döpfner during an hour-long all-employee meeting last week, Status reports.. “You only have to explain if you didn’t use AI. That’s really something you have to explain because that shouldn’t happen.” Döpfner also lauded the development of AI. “I tell you, what is happening at the moment with regard to technology is the biggest change in modern civilization,” The first wave of internet is nothing against these developments.”

Online retail sales maintain growth trend in June

The case wasn't as clear when factoring in offline sales. Although total sales decreased to their second-lowest monthly figure of the year, core retail sales followed ecommerce's trend of inching up. Online retail sales inched up in June compared to May, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. That comes as total retail sales dropped steeply in the same time frame. However, both online and total retail sales increased year over year. The National Retail Federation said consumers continue to worry about the impact of government policies on the economy — specifically tariffs. “The economy is gradually slowing,” according to Matthew Shay, NRF president and CEO. He said the macroeconomic environment has not yet disrupted economic fundamentals and that shoppers still have the ability to spend on priorities. However, he also said it has impacted the psyche of American consumers.

AAA Fuel Gauge Report

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Key Currency Exchange Rates

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US children routinely exposed to harmful chemicals from packaging, researchers warn

A national study reveals that young children in the US are exposed to various potentially harmful chemicals, commonly found in plastic packaging. Many of the chemicals are not routinely monitored and can pose health risks. The study published in Environmental Science & Technology was conducted by multiple institutions across the US in coordination with the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes, a program supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Background Agreement on Chillicothe Paper Mill Closing Strengthens Local Control and Benefits

An informal agreement on the Chillicothe paper mill between the owner and the state's economic development corporation was released on social media recently. It sets five "preliminary terms" before the revised shutdown date. The Memorandum of Agreement between mill operator Pixelle (based in Pennsylvania, and owned by H.I.G. Capital of Miami, Florida) and JobsOhio was posted by Natalie Fahmy (Ohio Statehouse/Politics Reporter)on X / Twitter recently. An outline of the five terms: Pixelle is responsible for environmental remediation, demolition, and obligations to unions. Pixelle will issue a WARN Notice by June 10th, and will fulfill its obligations in the following 60-day period. Pixelle will retain proceeds from the sale of any equipment on the site. All proceeds from the sale of the property will be for the benefit of former employees and the Chillicothe community.

Who are the Top 10 U.S. retailers in 2025?

Both Digital Commerce 360 and the National Retail Federation use 2024 sales as a starting point in their criteria for determining the top 10 U.S. retailers in 2025. Determining who the top 10 U.S. retailers are in 2025 depends on the criteria being used to compare them. After all, retailers sell in different ways through different channels. However, looking at retailers who rank based on annual global ecommerce sales, as well as by total domestic retail sales, shows just how vital online sales are to some of the industry’s most recognizable brands.

Levin Management: Retail store managers report healthy sales year to date

Despite elevated economic volatility, retail store managers are reporting healthy sales and in-store traffic — and they expect the positive momentum to continue in the coming months. That’s according to Levin Management Corp.’s 2025 Mid-Year Retail Sentiment Survey, which polled store managers in the firm’s 125-property leasing and management portfolio (focused on the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions). The survey also reveals how retailers are responding to disruptive technologies and evolving digital marketing tools to improve business processes and customer engagement.

AF&PA – US printing-writing paper shipments down 6% in June 2025 from year ago

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the June 2025 Printing-Writing Monthly report. According to the report, total printing-writing (P-W) paper shipments decreased 6% in June compared to June 2024. With a projected decline of exports, U.S. purchases of P-W papers decreased 4% in June compared to the same month last year. P-W paper inventory levels increased when compared to May 2025 – the second consecutive increase. U.S. purchases of uncoated free sheet (UFS) papers for the first six months of 2025 compared to the first half of 2024 decreased 1%. While the UFS inventory level increased 4% compared to May 2025, the current level is 16% lower than June 2024. Coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments increased 3% compared to June 2024 while the inventory level decreased 1% compared to May 2025. CFS imports decreased 24% while exports increased 17% in May 2025. U.S. shipments of mechanical (MECH) papers increased 2% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. MECH inventory levels increased 25% compared to last month. MECH imports decreased 13% while exports increased 31% in May 2025.

4 Tactics to Safeguard Your Brand from Chemicals of Concern

Consumers and regulatory agencies have put a bullseye on toxic chemicals that leach into products from their packaging. Here’s what you need to do — now — to defuse disaster. To protect brands from harmful chemicals, don’t rely on vague chemical attestations; and do end testing. Take ownership of your supply chain by aligning with global regulations that are often more restrictive than FDA standards. Track package components using CAS numbers to proactively address emerging chemical concerns before they escalate. 1. Take ownership of your supply chain 2. Replace NAIS attestations with specific limits. 3. Conduct end testing. 4. Become proactive

Stakeholders call for scaled up and accelerated remedy

At the FSC Remedy Forum held in Jakarta, Indonesia on 24 and 25 June, a diverse group of stakeholders and rights holders involved and interested in the implementation of FSC’s Remedy Framework shared a clear message with FSC. They expect to see restoration outcomes scaled up and delivered. Listening to the voices from the ground, FSC is lifting the suspension on Asia Pulp and Paper’s (APP) remedy process. APP’s remedy process was suspended in January 2025 when the sole beneficial owner of Domtar, Jackson Wijaya, was announced as the new sole beneficial owner of the APP group.

Google’s New ‘Unsubscribe’ Tool Puts Direct Mail Back in the Spotlight.

Google just introduced a new feature in Gmail called “Manage Subscriptions.” That sounds innocent enough until you realize it’s basically an unsubscribe control panel that makes it ridiculously easy for users to cut ties with email marketers. One click, and your customer or prospect is gone from your email list forever. For consumers, this is a dream. For email marketers, it’s a gut punch. For direct mail marketers, this is a tremendous opportunity. People trust direct mail more — 82% say they view print marketing as more credible than digital Mail sticks around — it has a household shelf life of over two weeks When was the last time an email sat on someone’s kitchen table?

Lakeside Book Company Elevates Domestic Book Manufacturing With Installation of Next-Generation Press Technology in Willard, Ohio

Lakeside Book Company announced the addition of a state-of-the-art Manroland Goss LITHOMAN at the company’s Willard, Ohio facility. This new, 64-page, 4-color offset, wide-web press is now operational, enhancing automation and setting a new standard for efficiency and sustainability. Built with cutting edge technology, the Manroland Goss LITHOMAN press includes inline control systems with self-correcting features to manage all aspects of quality, ensuring color consistency throughout the printing process.

Kohl’s appoints digital chief amid turnaround plan

Kohl’s appointed Arianne Parisi as its chief digital officer, effective July 28, amid a broad turnaround effort to restore profitability. Parisi will report to Michael Bender, who was appointed as interim CEO in May. Parisi joins the company after a 20-year career in retail, serving in digital or e-commerce leadership roles at JD Sports, Finish Line and Nordstrom. Most recently, she was EVP and global chief digital officer at JD Sports.

Mark Wahlberg’s apparel brand Municipal aims to create ‘a Muniverse’ of stores, cafes and gyms

Municipal, the activewear brand co-founded by Mark Wahlberg, is evolving into a broader lifestyle company as it looks to deepen customer engagement and boost revenue beyond apparel. The company is laying the groundwork for what it calls “the Muniverse”: a retail strategy that includes properties like flagship clothing stores, coffee shops and gyms, all tailored to the surrounding community, co-founder Harry Arnett told Modern Retail. Municipal aims to have 20 flagship stores in the next seven years, and dozens of gyms in the next five to 10 years. Next week, Municipal will also launch a $100-a-year membership program for its most devoted customers. Perks include 10% off all purchases, free shipping and returns, and access to exclusive events.

AF&PA Backs U.S. Push to Address Trade Barriers with the EU

July 15, 2025
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The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has expressed support for the U.S. administration's recent efforts to address trade challenges with the European Union, particularly regarding non-tariff barriers affecting the paper and forest products industry. In a statement released following U.S.-EU trade negotiations, AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock welcomed the administration’s commitment to fostering fair and reciprocal trade. She emphasized the importance of tackling both tariff and non-tariff obstacles to safeguard U.S. exports. One of the AF&PA’s key concerns is the European Union’s Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR), which the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has classified as a non-tariff trade barrier. According to the association, the regulation could put at risk more than $3.5 billion in annual exports of U.S. forest products to the EU.

Landa Digital Printing Gets Reprieve from Israeli Court to Find Buyer or New Investor

Benny Landa has climbed many mountains in his decades-long dream to reinvent the printing process, but it appears he will need a new financial investment lifeline to continue the sale of Nanographic printing technology under his watch or, perhaps more likely, find a competitive digital printing press manufacturer to buy Rehovot, Israel-based Landa Digital Printing outright. After Landa Digital Printing recently sought bankruptcy protection for being unable to service approximately $516 million in debt, Israeli technology news site CTech, published by Calcalist, reported on July 10 that the Israeli Central District Court has given Benny Landa until the end of August to find a possible buyer or fresh investor to craft a potential settlement with its secured creditors.

Sheridan Awarded Grant from Bluegrass State Skills Corporation to Launch Accelerated Training Program for Press and Binder Operators

Sheridan, a leader in the printing and publishing industry, is proud to announce a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to employee development and industry innovation. Thanks to the vision and leadership of Joe Dunlap, Sheridan’s Director of Training and Development, the company has been awarded a grant from the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation program through Kentucky’s Cabinet for Economic Development to implement new and experienced operator training.

Trucking Industry Pushes Congress for Solutions to Skyrocketing Cargo Theft

July 15, 2025
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A leading, nationwide trucking company told the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee today that cargo theft is a crisis impacting the entire supply chain that requires immediate action from Congress. Donna Lemm, chief strategy officer for IMC Logistics, testified on behalf of the American Trucking Associations in support of the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act, which would establish a coordinated multi-agency response and equip law enforcement with new resources to address a surge of cargo theft incidents happening across the country. “Rising cargo theft is affecting the trucking industry across the United States. We cannot stay silent,” said Lemm.

Florida’s Aventura tops USA Today’s 10 Best Malls list

With more than 300 tenants, it’s the largest mall in the state of Florida. This week it can make the claim that it’s the best mall in America. Aventura Mall, located halfway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, has landed in the No. 1 spot of USA Today’s 10 Best Malls list. The paper lauded Aventura for its museum-worthy art collections, its chrome slide tower created by artist Carsten Holler and its claim to being the first site in Florida to host an Eataly.

The Ocean Cleanup and AWS Join Forces to Accelerate Ocean Plastic Removal using AI

The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization dedicated to ridding the world’s oceans and rivers of plastic pollution, today announced a collaboration with Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), an Amazon.com, Inc. company (NASDAQ: AMZN). This collaboration will leverage AWS’s advanced artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing capabilities to enable and accelerate The Ocean Cleanup’s goal to clean the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) and remove 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040.

How Walmart is looking to redefine itself to high-income e-commerce shoppers

This year, Walmart has been on a marketing blitz to change what people think of its brand, both in subtle and more obvious ways. At the start of 2025, Walmart took a subdued approach to redefining its image, updating its brand identity with a thicker, bolder logo and spark icon, as well as slightly different shades of blue and yellow — meant to modernize and refresh the brand’s visuals while acknowledging its long history in retail. In June, Walmart took a louder approach to telling people things have changed as it launched a new ad campaign called “Who knew?” The campaign includes a TV ad that opens with actor Walton Goggins from HBO’s “The White Lotus” sitting in a sauna, saying it’s a secret that it came from Walmart, but that soon everyone will know it. The same secret applied to other items shown in the ad, like dancing shoes, an accordion and even a megaphone, all of which are available on Walmart’s website and app,

H-E-B, Publix take on Kroger with new stores in its hometown and other fast-growing markets

In March, dozens of people waited in a long line — for sandwiches known as “pub subs,” baked goods or other items — wrapping around the new Publix store in Walton, Kentucky.…

Fiber-based packaging hit hardest by new UK pEPR base fee

The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published its packaging EPR (pEPR) base fees for 2025 and 2026. Out of all packaging materials, fiber-based composite faces…

10 Takeaways from Canva’s AI Discovery Week

At Canva, our mission has always been to empower the world to design, and that means helping people turn their ideas into reality, faster and more confidently than ever before.…

Creative Direct Mail Strategies for Fall

July might be peak summer, but for marketers, it’s the perfect time to start planning your fall direct mail campaigns. Fall brings a shift in mood, attention, and buying behavior.…

Flint Group implements a global price increase for nitrocellulose-containing products

Due to persistent raw material cost increases, Flint Group will increase prices of all its products containing nitrocellulose. The increase will be effective from 1st August 2025, where contracts allow and…

McGraw Hill Files for Public Offering

More than a decade after McGraw Hill was sold to the private equity firm Apollo Global Management LLC for $2.5 billion, Platinum Equity, which bought the company in 2021 for $4.5 billion, has filed…

Starbucks calls corporate employees back to the office — or take a payout

July 14, 2025
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Starbucks Corp. wants its corporate employees to spend more time in the office. And it's not an option. The coffee giant said the employees will have to work in the…

L.L.Bean CEO to depart next spring

A longstanding apparel retailer is set to undergo a change at chief executive. L.L.Bean Inc. has announced that president and CEO Stephen Smith will depart from the company in the spring of…

2026 USPS Promotions Overview from MIDLAND

See the latest news from USPS by following Midland's Matt Jensen on LinkedIn. An awesome one sheet outlines all 2026 core and add-on promotions, including some thoughts (bottom-right quadrant) on…

Sun Chemical has launched SunCure EcoPlast, a press-ready dry UV offset ink range designed for sustainable plastic cup decoration.

SunCure EcoPlast is a revolutionary new UV ink technology for plastic cup decoration that delivers high adhesion, fast cure speed, low migration properties and the ability to be washed off…

Lecta expands its EraCup Range: a new era of responsibility for paper cups

All grades in Lecta's EraCup range are fully recyclable, repulpable, and food-safe, meeting the highest technical and hygiene standards. They support circular economy principles and are designed for efficient end-of-life…

Stora Enso and Novapor Converting the future of packaging

Stora Enso is excited to team up with Novapor in a pilot project featuring our cellulose foam packaging material Papira®. Ready to phase out conventional foams, Stora Enso is lowering…

Target opening eight stores in July and August

Target Corp. is celebrating the opening of eight new stores this summer — including its 320th location in California. The openings are part of the 20 new locations that Target plans to open this year, and…

Amazon Prime Day 2025 Delivers Record Sales and Savings in Expanded Four-Day Shopping Event

Customers saved billions while shopping Amazon’s millions of deals during Amazon’s biggest Prime Day shopping event yet. Prime members purchased millions of Alexa-enabled devices, and the Ring Battery Doorbell and…

AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report

July 10, 2025
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July 10, 2025
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Investing in Communities: Domtar, Owned by Jackson Wijaya, Puts Vision into Action

At Domtar, being a responsible forest products manufacturer means more than just creating sustainable products. It means being an active partner in the communities where we live and work. Through Domtar…

HP Introduces the HP Indigo 6K+ Digital Press

HP introduced the HP Indigo 6K+ Digital Press, designed to meet the growing demands of digital label production with outstanding productivity, operational robustness, and exceptional versatility. The label and packaging…

Barnes & Noble the New Bookseller at University District in Seattle

Barnes & Noble and University Book Store are proud to announce a unique partnership and the opening of the Barnes & Noble University District Bookstore in Seattle, WA, on Wednesday,…

Nordstrom’s anniversary sale adds 65 brands to the mix

Nordstrom is hosting its anniversary sale from July 12 to Aug. 3. The department store is offering its loyalty program members early access to discounts depending on their membership status. Icon loyalty members…

Target, Sam’s Club’s summer promotions are all about holding prices as tariff threat looms

As retailers and brands seek to fight the uncertainty that comes alongside the always-shifting threat of tariffs, major retailers are telling customers they’re not raising prices on some items as part…

What KIND Snacks can teach us about the new frontiers of paper packaging

More brands are shifting to paper packaging — but not without challenges. Paper packaging is taking on new frontiers. Maybe you’ve seen paper across new formats such as dog food canisters, vitamin…

Why Dick’s Foot Locker acquisition is a big bet on Nike

Dick’s Sporting Goods and Foot Locker may have taken industry observers by surprise with their acquisition deal last month, but one of their largest partners likely wasn’t. “Nike clearly bought…

Cascades to Permanently Close Its Corrugated Medium Plant in Niagara Falls, New York

Cascades announced that its corrugated medium manufacturing plant in Niagara Falls, New York, will be permanently closed as part of the optimization of the company's packaging production platform. Production will…

Men’s Journal Makes A New Return to an Old Format

Men’s Journal announced today that it’s returning to print after a more than two year hiatus with a Summer Edition launching this month. It will also be a substantial relaunch, coming in…

Colbert Packaging Announces WBENC Recognition

Colbert Packaging, the leading Midwest independently-owned paperboard packaging manufacturer is proud to announce its certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the…

Day 1: Amazon Prime event spurs $7.9 billion in U.S. ecommerce sales

The first 24 hours of Amazon’s summer Prime Day sales event — which runs for four days this year — drove U.S. consumers to spend $7.9 billion online, according to…

Study: Tariffs triggering purchasing, lifestyle changes

Rising costs driven by tariffs are causing consumers across the globe to scale back spending, switch brands, and rethink long-standing habits — including summer travel. Forty-two percent of consumers are buying fewer…

Import cargo levels set to rebound in July, drop again after tariff delay ends

July 9, 2025
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As retailers continue to stock up for the holiday season, import cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports is expected to rebound in July after a double-digit drop in…

Costco Wholesale Corporation Reports June Sales Results

Costco Wholesale Corporation today reported net sales of $26.44 billion for the retail month of June, the five weeks ended July 6, 2025, an increase of 8.0 percent from $24.48…

US parcel market to grow 36% by 2030, Pitney Bowes says

Revenue growth for U.S. parcel shipping lagged volumes last year as an influx of new last-mile delivery companies put downward pressure on prices in a market that is expected to…

GCP Paper Expands to U.S. with $400M Texas Facility

Grupo Corporativo Papelera (GCP), a major Mexican tissue manufacturer, has begun construction on its first U.S. facility, a $400 million plant in New Caney, Texas. The new 565,765-square-foot facility, located…

Sappi Europe initiates a consultation process for partial restructure at its Alfeld Mill Germany in response to market conditions

Sappi Europe today announced the initiation of a consultation process at its Alfeld Mill in Germany as part of a proposed partial asset restructure. This step is being taken in…

Three Youth Apprentices Share Their Journey at Royle Printing

Every year, Royle Printing welcomes a group of talented high school students into its Youth Apprenticeship Program, where they gain hands-on experience in the world of print manufacturing. We recently…

Huhtamaki earns EcoVadis gold medal for fifth year in a row

Huhtamaki has received the prestigious Gold Medal from EcoVadis for the fifth consecutive year, placing us in the top 5% of more than 130,000 rated companies worldwide. The objective of…

Sonoco Achieves Prestigious Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC) Accreditation

Sonoco Products Company (NYSE: SON), a global leader in value-added sustainable packaging, today announced it has earned accreditation with the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC). Sonoco joined PSC in 2024 to…

New study confirms FSC certification contributes to maintaining and increasing forest cover

A new study in The Journal of Cleaner Production confirms that FSC certification contributes to maintaining and increasing forest cover, especially in lower-middle income countries. These findings reinforce the conclusions of previous research and…

FTC Urges Amazon And Walmart To Police ‘Made In USA’ Claims

The Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday urged Amazon and Walmart to police their marketplaces for false "made in America" claims by outside companies. "Bureau staff have received information that third-party…

Penguin Random House Is One Of The ‘Most Influential Companies Of 2025’

The publishing group has been included in the TIME100 list of Most Influential Companies, in the “Leaders” category. It’s a significant recognition – since the launch of the list in…

Back-to-School: How Brands Can Win the Season Without Deep Discounts

Back-to-School isn’t just for notebooks and backpacks anymore. This growing “marketing holiday”, driven by national retailer promotions, digital ad spikes, and consumer urgency, has become a goldmine for all retail…

US back-to-school shopping expected to reach over $33B

Back-to-school spending among U.S. consumers is expected to rise 3.3% year over year to $33.3 billion, a new Coresight Research report estimates. More than two-thirds (68.8%) of respondents to Coresight’s survey…

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