TC Media Acquires ERPI (Éditions du renouveau pédagogique inc.) from Pearson

Passed (in France) in 2020, the Anti-Waste Law For A Circular Economy (AGEC) dictates that receipts will be printed at the customer’s request, except in special circumstances. Since then, several “start-ups” have aligned themselves to electronic receipts. Taking advantage of the new law, which has been postponed several times, they have developed communication campaigns highlighting the environmental interest of not using paper receipts. Faced with this flood of greenwashing, Two Sides France submitted two case complaints that seemed fitting for the Advertising Ethics Jury. On January 31st 2024, the jury agreed with Two Sides on those cases. Aside from the fact that it’s hard to see how, if a consumer doesn’t need a paper ticket, giving them a digital ticket would be more virtuous, the communications from these companies frequently resort to clichés commonly employed to endorse digital “solutions.” Consequently, an excess of statements has emerged featuring generic ideas and sweeping statements praising the merits of avoiding paper, while omitting the environmental consequences of digital alternatives, claiming forest conservation, and asserting the positive aspects of an eco-friendly digital receipt allegedly in compliance with the above mentioned AGEC law.

WBA had fiscal 2021 second quarter sales from continuing operations of $32.8 billion, an increase of 4.6 percent from the year-ago quarter, and an increase of 3.5 percent on a constant currency basis1, reflecting strong International segment growth, aided by the company's joint venture in Germany, and the United States segment. Operating income from continuing operations was $832 million in the second quarter, compared with $1.1 billion in the same quarter a year ago. Adjusted operating income from continuing operations was $1.2 billion, a decrease of 22.5 percent on a reported currency basis and a decrease of 22.9 percent on a constant currency basis. Total net earnings attributable to WBA, including discontinued operations, increased 8.4 percent compared with the same quarter a year ago to $1.0 billion, reflecting a gain from the sale of a portion of the company's equity method investment in Option Care Health and a lower effective tax rate driven by discrete items, partly offset by lower operating income. Net earnings from continuing operations in the second quarter increased 6.3 percent compared with the same quarter a year ago to $922 million. Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations decreased 12.1 percent to $1.1 billion, down 12.8 percent on a constant currency basis, compared with the same quarter a year ago.

The ODP Corporation announced that, subject to certain closing conditions, it has reached a definitive agreement for a sale and partial leaseback of its Boca Raton-based corporate headquarters. Upon completion of a sale, The ODP Corporation expects to lease a portion of the building’s office space from the new owner and to continue to occupy it as the company’s headquarters for a minimum of two years. “I’m excited about this opportunity and our commitment to maintaining Boca Raton as our headquarters and base of operations while continuing to embrace our low-cost flexible business model,” said Gerry Smith, chief executive officer for The ODP Corporation. “This is another example of how we are committed to leveraging our assets in the best way possible, enhancing our balance sheet and identifying smart ways to drive The ODP Corporation’s long-term growth and success.”