The Coalition for Paper Options – an alliance of consumer organizations, labor unions, rural advocates, and print communications industry organizations which recognize the need to preserve access to important paper-based information and services for Americans who prefer them or depend on them – today applauded the introduction of the Know Your Social Security (KYSS) Act, new bipartisan legislation that would require the Social Security Administration (SSA) to reinstate the mailing of annual Statement of Earnings, which are currently only available online for workers under age 60. The bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. John Larson (D-CT) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and in the U.S. Senate by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA).

Costco Wholesale Corporation (“Costco” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: COST) today reported net sales of $13.62 billion for the retail month of November, the four weeks ended December 1, 2019, an increase of 6.7 percent from $12.77 billion last year. For the twelve-week first quarter ended November 24, 2019, the Company reported net sales of $36.24 billion, an increase of 5.6 percent from $34.31 billion last year. For the thirteen weeks ended December 1, 2019, the Company reported net sales of $39.95 billion, an increase of 6.3 percent from $37.57 billion during the similar period last year.

The National Paper Trade Association (NPTA) is pleased to announce that Mike Graves of Midland Paper, Packaging + Supplies is the recipient of the 2020 Stanley O. Styles Industry Excellence Award. Mr. Graves’s impact on the industry is marked by his steadfast leadership, dedication to the Industry, innovative ideas, strong sense of ethics, generosity and willingness to lend a hand, which make him more than deserving of NPTA’s highest honor. In 2002, he came to Midland Paper, Packaging + Supplies as the GM of the Chicago division. He was soon appointed Chief Operating Officer of the company before becoming President and an equity partner. As the Chief Executive Officer, he now oversees all of Midland’s commercial printing relationships, vendor relationships, the packaging and specialty paper segments and Midland’s 16 distribution facilities. Mr. Graves is credited with being a major catalyst of Midland’s growth and success, going from a regional Midwest fine paper distributor to a national distributor of fine papers, packaging and specialty media.

For the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2019 • Net sales increased 7.9% to $1,682.5 million compared to $1,560.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2018; • Comparable sales (sales for stores open at least 14 months and e-commerce sales) increased 3.2% compared to an increase of 7.8% in the third quarter of fiscal 2018. The 3.2% comparable sales increase was driven by 2.3% transaction growth and 0.9% growth in average ticket; • Net income was $129.7 million compared to $131.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2018.