Google brings AI to new shopping experiences

Third quarter highlights: *Third quarter earnings per share (EPS*) from continuing operations decreased 73.8 percent to $0.33, compared with EPS of $1.27 in the year-ago quarter; continuing operations adjusted** EPS decreased 30.0 percent to $0.96, down 28.9 percent on a constant currency basis against strong growth of 93.6 percent in the year-ago quarter reflecting peak COVID-19 vaccine volumes *Year-to-date EPS from continuing operations increased 190.6 percent to $5.49, compared with EPS of $1.89 in the year-ago quarter; continuing operations adjusted EPS increased 13.3 percent to $4.23, up 13.9 percent on a constant currency basis *Third quarter sales from continuing operations decreased 4.2 percent over the year-ago quarter to $32.6 billion, down 2.8 percent on a constant currency basis including a 720 basis point impact from AllianceRx Walgreens as anticipated *Third quarter operating income from continuing operations decreased to a loss of $320 million, compared to operating income of $1.1 billion in the year-ago quarter; adjusted operating income from continuing operations was $1.0 billion, down 33.5 percent on a constant currency basis *WBA sold 6.0 million shares of AmerisourceBergen common stock, with proceeds of $900 million *Completion of Boots strategic review, with decision to retain the business

Average student spending on college textbooks and digital course materials has steadily declined in recent years, according to new data unveiled from Student Watch, which is funded by the National Association of College Stores Foundation, and Student Monitor, an independent research firm. In its new annual report, Student Watch reports a decline in student spending on course materials of 35 percent over the past six years, while Student Monitor’s semi-annual report similarly indicates a 39 percent decline over the same time period. “Students are actually spending less on college course materials than we have seen them spend before,” commented Brittany Conley, Research Analyst, On Campus Research for the National Association of College Stores (NACS). “We saw that students spent about $413 across the academic year on course materials. Ten years ago, that number was closer to $700.”

The U.S. advertising market grew 3.8% in the second quarter of this year -- largely due to an 11% gain in digital media. Standard Media Index says this followed a 2.8% increase in the first quarter. National TV brought down the overall results. In the second quarter, national TV advertising revenue was virtually flat -- down 0.8%. This followed a weak 0.8% gain in the first quarter. These current results came amid higher-than-expected upfront advertising revenue commitments for next year’s TV season, starting in September. Upfront revenue growth is estimated at 4% to 6%. Click Read More below for more of the story.