Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYS: WSM) today
announced that net revenues for the nine-week holiday period (October 29, 2012
- December 30, 2012) increased 4.8% to $1.014 billion versus the comparable
last year nine-week holiday period ended January 1, 2012. Comparable brand
revenues increased 4.4%.
Friday, January 18, 2013
GAO: Congress Must Help USPS
The U.S. Congress Must Help USPS Grow Revenues, Says GAO: For USPS to pull itself out of its current financial difficulties, it cannot just rely on pension and healthcare reforms and high-profile cost-cutting measures—it must also find fresh ways to raise new revenue streams. That is the central message of a new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) sent to Congress this week.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
UPM to Reduce 580,000 Tonnes of Graphic Paper Capacity
UPM Plans to Reduce 580,000 Tonnes of Graphic Paper Capacity in Europe:
In early January, UPM finalized the employee consultation process in UPM Stracel, France, implying reduction of 270,000 tonnes of coated magazine paper capacity (coated mechanical paper). With UPM Stracel and today's plans, UPM would reduce a total of approximately 850,000 tonnes of graphic paper capacity in 2013.
UPM plans:
A permanent closure of paper machine 3 at UPM Rauma mill in Finland (SC paper)
A permanent closure of paper machine 4 at UPM Ettringen in Germany (SC Paper)
A sale or other exit of UPM Docelles mill in France (uncoated woodfree paper), and
subject to further analysis, streamlining in the Paper Business and UPM's global functions.
According to the plan the Rauma and Ettringen machine lines would be permanently closed by the end of first half of 2013. Both machines are producing uncoated magazine paper, in total 420,000 tonnes annually.
The continuing challenges in European economy have significantly impacted the consumption of paper, exacerbating the effect of structural changes in paper end-uses and resulting in further decline in the demand of graphic papers in Europe. High costs and significant overcapacity continue to challenge the industry operators in Europe.
UPM is planning to permanently reduce paper capacity in Europe by a further 580,000 tonnes. The capacity reductions are planned to take place in Finland, Germany and France. The business environment also makes evident the need for streamlining of the Paper Business Group and UPM's global functions to remain cost competitive in the new business scale. In early January, UPM finalized the employee consultation process in UPM Stracel, France, implying reduction of 270,000 tonnes of coated magazine paper capacity (coated mechanical paper). With UPM Stracel and today's plans, UPM would reduce a total of approximately 850,000 tonnes of graphic paper capacity in 2013.
UPM plans:
A permanent closure of paper machine 3 at UPM Rauma mill in Finland (SC paper)
A permanent closure of paper machine 4 at UPM Ettringen in Germany (SC Paper)
A sale or other exit of UPM Docelles mill in France (uncoated woodfree paper), and
subject to further analysis, streamlining in the Paper Business and UPM's global functions.
According to the plan the Rauma and Ettringen machine lines would be permanently closed by the end of first half of 2013. Both machines are producing uncoated magazine paper, in total 420,000 tonnes annually.
The process for selling the UPM Docelles mill will start immediately. The process will be given maximum six months. Docelles is producing uncoated woodfree papers, 160,000 tonnes annually.
UPM Looking for Buyer for Processing Business
UPM will begin a sales process to find a new owner for its
further processing business in France including a planing mill in Aigrefeuille
d'Aunis and related sales organization located in Lagord, near La Rochelle.
This activity is part of UPM's Timber business area, and employs approximately
45 people. The sales process will be launched immediately and is expected to be
completed by the end of July 2013.
UPM aims to find a buyer to continue wood processing in
Aigrefeuille. In case UPM is presented with a binding offer, the company will
proceed with the employee consultation process according to the French
legislation. UPM's plan to sell the Aigrefeuille mill follows the renewed Timber business strategy announced in April 2012. UPM concentrates on developing the sawmills closely integrated with the company's pulp and paper mills.
Aigrefeuille further processing mill operations will continue as usual despite the sales process.
UPM Preliminary Q4 Release
UPM's Q4 2012 results were broadly in line with the
company's guidance. Operating profit excluding special items was approximately
EUR 138 million, compared with EUR 147 million in Q4 2011, or EUR 122 million
in Q3 2012. UPM expected its Q4 2012 operating profit excluding special items
to be about the same or lower than in Q3 2012.
Profitability of Paper Business Area continued at previous
quarter's level with reported operating loss excluding special items of EUR 10
million in Q4 2012.UPM will publish its Financial Statements release 2012, including outlook statement on 31 January 2013 with analyst conference call as well as Finnish press conference on the same day.
Rolling Strikes Hit Stora, Spain
Rolling strikes hit Stora Ensoa s WLC mill in Spain:
Stora Enso's 70,000 tonne/yr white-lined chipboard mill in Barcelona has been hit industrial action after the CCOO union called on workers to down tools during 19 days, one day per week, until the end of April.
Stora Enso's 70,000 tonne/yr white-lined chipboard mill in Barcelona has been hit industrial action after the CCOO union called on workers to down tools during 19 days, one day per week, until the end of April.
Appleton Adds Thermal Paper Capacity
Appleton Papers said it is in the process of adding 25,000
tons of lightweight thermal coated paper capacity to the US marketplace over
the next several months.
"We began this initiative in December and will continue
our efforts over the next few months," Appleton said in a letter to customers
on Wednesday. "We expect to quickly increase our capacity for lightweight
thermal paper by up to 25,000 tons annually in response to Koehler Paper
Group's stated intention to leave the US market in April."
The Appleton move stems from a US Dept of Commerce (DOC)
preliminary determination last month to significantly increase lightweight
thermal import duties on Koehler's paper. The higher duty has not yet become
final and was expected to be final by April. It's unclear if Koehler will
appeal the DOC action taken last month or if it will fully exit the US market
by April, as it said was possible last month.
China Confirms Capacity Closures
The Chinese government recently publicized its final
capacity closure results for 2011 in 19 industries, claiming more than 8.31
million tonnes/yr of old pulp and paper (P&P) capacity was permanently
retired that year.
The figure is a little higher than the target of 8.20
million tonnes/yr announced in 2011.According to the results revealed jointly by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the National Energy Administration (NEA), Henan province met its target of wiping out almost 1.84 million tonnes/yr of outdated capacity.
Hebei province shut down some 1.12 million, slightly higher than its target of 1.10 million tonnes/yr.
And Hunan province also met its goal, closing 990,000 tonnes/yr.
The capacity of outdated P&P equipment retired in the three provinces totaled 3.95 million tonnes/yr, 47.53% of the final results.
The two government organizations stressed that 13 PMs targeted for closure in 2011 with a combined 53,100 tonne/yr capacity at four mills in Guangdong provinces have not been dismantled, although production on them has been halted.
Cost of Renewable Energy Falling
http://www.power-eng.com/news/2013/01/16/international-renewable-energy-agency-falling-renewable-energy-costs-provide-wake-up-call-to-policy.html
Renewable energy has entered into a new virtuous cycle of falling costs, increasing deployment, and accelerated technological progress, a ground-breaking report by the International Renewable Energy Agency has found.
The cost of solar energy, for example, has dropped below the cost of diesel
generation worldwide for communities living away from the electricity grid. Renewable energy has entered into a new virtuous cycle of falling costs, increasing deployment, and accelerated technological progress, a ground-breaking report by the International Renewable Energy Agency has found.
The public debate around renewable energy, however, continues to suffer from an outdated perception that renewable energy is not competitive, forming a significant and unnecessary barrier to its deployment.
The Five Senses of Direct Mail
The Five Senses of Direct Mail. Whoda Thunk It?:
Direct mail can now deliver sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. That’s all five of the human senses. And guess what? So far, mail is the only marketing medium that can do all that. Likely, for the next few years anyway, direct mail will remain — and vastly improve upon — this full sensory capability.
Direct mail can now deliver sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. That’s all five of the human senses. And guess what? So far, mail is the only marketing medium that can do all that. Likely, for the next few years anyway, direct mail will remain — and vastly improve upon — this full sensory capability.
Quad Completes Acquisition of Vertis
Quad Completes Acquisition of Vertis: Quad/Graphics, Inc. announces that it has completed its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Vertis Holdings, Inc., for a net purchase price of $170 million. This assumes the purchase price of $267 million less the payment of $97 million for current assets that are in excess of normalized working capital requirements. Quad/Graphics used cash on hand and drew on its revolving credit facility to finance the acquisition.
Canadian Union Protests Vertis Closure
Canadian Union Protests Lack of Compensation in Vertis Plant Closure:
A large printing plant owned by Vertis has been shut down in Fort Erie, Ontario, leaving the staff without jobs or compensation. About 100 members of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP) Local 425G in the Niagara region have just learned of the closure and are confronting the company’s refusal to pay out termination and severance, required under Canadian law
A large printing plant owned by Vertis has been shut down in Fort Erie, Ontario, leaving the staff without jobs or compensation. About 100 members of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP) Local 425G in the Niagara region have just learned of the closure and are confronting the company’s refusal to pay out termination and severance, required under Canadian law
Hearst: Brand Integration Driving More Business
Hearst’s Clinton: Brand Integration is Driving More Business:
Print may still be the breadwinner for most publishers, but multiplatform integration is now what’s behind any meaningful growth in ad revenue. Bringing a brand’s content and messaging across the entire media spectrum is where the fight for marketing dollars will be won. At Hearst Magazines, that concept has helped propel revenue in the first quarter above same-period 2011 levels.
Print may still be the breadwinner for most publishers, but multiplatform integration is now what’s behind any meaningful growth in ad revenue. Bringing a brand’s content and messaging across the entire media spectrum is where the fight for marketing dollars will be won. At Hearst Magazines, that concept has helped propel revenue in the first quarter above same-period 2011 levels.
Newspapers Make Cuts
The litany of bad news for newspapers is
continuing in 2013, with more layoffs and reductions in frequency.
The Star Ledger of Newark, New Jersey’s largest daily newspaper, announced that it is laying off 34 employees, including 19 full-time employees and 15 part-time employees, according to the newspaper. The total will include 18 staffers from the newspaper’s editorial operations, or around 9% of the 195-person newsroom.
The Star Ledger of Newark, New Jersey’s largest daily newspaper, announced that it is laying off 34 employees, including 19 full-time employees and 15 part-time employees, according to the newspaper. The total will include 18 staffers from the newspaper’s editorial operations, or around 9% of the 195-person newsroom.
'Lucky' Announces Realignment, Names GM
Gillian Gorman Round Named 'Lucky' G.M. in a Realignment to More e-Commerce:
On Wednesday (Jan. 16), Condé Nast president (since July 2010) Bob Sauerberg announced a restructuring of the 12-year-old Lucky. What originally was a monthly for women's "brick and mortar" shopping is being expanded with a greater emphasis on e-commerce, which is getting a new platform.
The print edition and website (luckymag.com) are continuing.
The architect is Gillian Gorman Round (pictured), who moves from CN senior VP/brand development (a corporate job) to the new position of Lucky general manager. Round being in charge of all Lucky's business and editorial functions means that editor-in-chief (since Sept. 2010) Brandon Holley is reporting to her.
On Wednesday (Jan. 16), Condé Nast president (since July 2010) Bob Sauerberg announced a restructuring of the 12-year-old Lucky. What originally was a monthly for women's "brick and mortar" shopping is being expanded with a greater emphasis on e-commerce, which is getting a new platform.
The print edition and website (luckymag.com) are continuing.
The architect is Gillian Gorman Round (pictured), who moves from CN senior VP/brand development (a corporate job) to the new position of Lucky general manager. Round being in charge of all Lucky's business and editorial functions means that editor-in-chief (since Sept. 2010) Brandon Holley is reporting to her.
Warc Forecasts 4% Jump for 2013
Advertising expenditure growth is expected to
increase by 4% this year and 5.5% in 2014 despite the fragility of the global
economy, according to Warc’s latest Consensus Ad Forecast.
The Consensus Ad Forecast is based on a weighted average of adspend predictions at current prices from ad agencies, media monitoring companies, analysts, Warc’s own team and industry bodies. The figures are a slight increase on the 3.9% uptick estimated for 2012.
The Consensus Ad Forecast is based on a weighted average of adspend predictions at current prices from ad agencies, media monitoring companies, analysts, Warc’s own team and industry bodies. The figures are a slight increase on the 3.9% uptick estimated for 2012.
Pearson's FT Names CFO
BPA Solidifies Rule Changes
BPA Solidifies Rule Changes to Reflect Changing Media Landscape:
In an era of multiplatform media consumption, quantifying a large spectrum of metrics gets harder and harder. To provide clarity to its members, auditing agency BPA Worldwide has solidified several rule amendments that are scheduled to take effect immediately. In May 2012, the BPA Board allowed the reporting of digital copies served through applications as qualified circulation. At the time, it was determined that through authentication via an access code tied to subscriber registration or information, media owners had the ability to identify and quantify end-users, thus enabling publishers to report this as qualified circulation.
In an era of multiplatform media consumption, quantifying a large spectrum of metrics gets harder and harder. To provide clarity to its members, auditing agency BPA Worldwide has solidified several rule amendments that are scheduled to take effect immediately. In May 2012, the BPA Board allowed the reporting of digital copies served through applications as qualified circulation. At the time, it was determined that through authentication via an access code tied to subscriber registration or information, media owners had the ability to identify and quantify end-users, thus enabling publishers to report this as qualified circulation.
Folio: People On The Move
People On The Move | 1.17.13:
Jill Seelig has been promoted to senior vice president, publisher and chief revenue officers of O, The Oprah Magazine. Seelig was previously serving as the company’s publisher.m.
New York Magazine has named Genevieve Smith as its senior editor. Smith was formerly an associate editor at Harper’s.
Mary Kate McGrath has been named editor-in-chief at PureWow. McGrath was previously a senior editor at Real Simple.
Gregory Gatto has been promoted to publisher of The Bonnier Corporation’s Field & Stream, Outdoor Life and Shot Business. Gatto was previously director of advertising for the company. Eric Zincenko has been named executive vice president at The Bonnier Corpotation. Zincenko was formerly executive vice president of the company’s men’s group.
Jill Seelig has been promoted to senior vice president, publisher and chief revenue officers of O, The Oprah Magazine. Seelig was previously serving as the company’s publisher.m.
New York Magazine has named Genevieve Smith as its senior editor. Smith was formerly an associate editor at Harper’s.
Mary Kate McGrath has been named editor-in-chief at PureWow. McGrath was previously a senior editor at Real Simple.
Gregory Gatto has been promoted to publisher of The Bonnier Corporation’s Field & Stream, Outdoor Life and Shot Business. Gatto was previously director of advertising for the company. Eric Zincenko has been named executive vice president at The Bonnier Corpotation. Zincenko was formerly executive vice president of the company’s men’s group.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Choose Print: Renewable, Recyclable Resources
Choose Print: print and paper
are renewable and recyclable resources
| There are numerous technologies available today to help
consumers clean up the mess on their desk, which can lead to saving time.
Many of these services are free, which will save consumers money. But, will
these technologies save trees? Often people think that by using new technologies
instead of print and paper, they are saving trees and making a sound
environmental choice. The choices consumers make should be based on a data-driven comparative analysis of lifecycle, carbon footprint and overall environmental impact. When companies like Google Drive and the other members of the Paperless Coalition, call for companies to "Go Paperless 2013" they don't take into account that paper and print on paper are renewable and recyclable resources. This is another example of a campaign using an environmentally-focused marketing strategy to promote its services while ignoring its own impact upon the environment. Print on paper isn't depleting our forests, overwhelming our landfills, or causing global warming. In the United States, more trees are grown than are harvested and the volume of trees has increased 49% over the last 50 years. The amount of US forestland has remained essentially the same for the last 100 years at about 750 million acres, even though the US population tripled during the same period. One of the benefits that makes print on paper sustainable is that paper can be 100% recyclable.Recyclability is one of paper's credentials as a renewable resource that can begin and end its life in a responsible manner. In 2011 the U.S. paper recovery rate was a record-high 66.8 percent. Responsibly managed forests are a critical resource that benefits the environment. Forests provide wood and wood by-products that are now seen as a preferred material as society tries to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. While it takes energy to produce paper, most of it is renewable. More than 65 percent of the energy needed to produce paper products is derived from carbon-neutral biomass fuel. As Dr. Patrick Moore, Co-Founder, Greenpeace/Chair & Chief Scientist, Greenspirit Strategies Inc., said, "To address climate change, we must use more wood, not less. Using wood sends a signal to the marketplace to grow more trees and to produce more wood. That means we can then use less concrete, steel and plastic -- heavy carbon emitters through their production. Trees are the only abundant, biodegradable and renewable global resource." |
Catalyst Paper Returns to TSX, Looks at Latin America
Catalyst Paper Marks Return to TSX with Opening Siren: Catalyst Paper (TSX: CYT) is marking its return to publicly traded status earlier this month by opening the market at Toronto Stock Exchange today. Catalyst President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin J. Clarke, is being joined by board member Todd Dillabough, other Catalyst executives and representatives of several key stakeholder groups to mark the event.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/catalyst-paper-targets-latin-america-as-export-market/article7369684/
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/catalyst-paper-targets-latin-america-as-export-market/article7369684/
A streamlined Catalyst Paper Corp. is keen to expand its exports to Latin America.
Lawyer for NewPage Pensioners?
Former union leader was union to provide a lawyer for NewPage pensioners:
Lionel Forsyth, a former CEP union president, said the union should be paying for a lawyer for the NewPage pensioners who were told they each have to pay back thousands in pension overpayments.
Forsyth told CBC that “the union should represent the unionized brothers and sisters that are now facing financial devastation. I think they should represent them with the lawyers’ fees.”
There are approximately 250 workers who retired early from NewPage Port Hawkesbury in Nova Scotia have been paid a collective $5 million too much according to Morneau Shepell Ltd. the current pension plan administrator. Morneau Shepell has blamed the error on the previous plan administrator, Aon PLC.
Morneau Shepell has asked Aon to pay for the error. If an agreement can’t be reached, the matter may end up in court.
Lionel Forsyth, a former CEP union president, said the union should be paying for a lawyer for the NewPage pensioners who were told they each have to pay back thousands in pension overpayments.
Forsyth told CBC that “the union should represent the unionized brothers and sisters that are now facing financial devastation. I think they should represent them with the lawyers’ fees.”
There are approximately 250 workers who retired early from NewPage Port Hawkesbury in Nova Scotia have been paid a collective $5 million too much according to Morneau Shepell Ltd. the current pension plan administrator. Morneau Shepell has blamed the error on the previous plan administrator, Aon PLC.
Morneau Shepell has asked Aon to pay for the error. If an agreement can’t be reached, the matter may end up in court.
Canadian Export Tax to Remain at 0%
February will mark 2nd month with a 0% tax rate for Canadian lumber exporters:
The export tax for Canadian lumber producers exporting to the U.S. will stay at 0% for February.
Under the terms of the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA), the export tax rate drops to 0% when the Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite price averages over $355 for the four-week period occurring 21 days before the beginning of the month.
The export tax for Canadian lumber producers exporting to the U.S. will stay at 0% for February.
Under the terms of the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA), the export tax rate drops to 0% when the Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite price averages over $355 for the four-week period occurring 21 days before the beginning of the month.
Greenpeace: Stop Logging Areas of Boreal Forest
Greenpeace wants logging halted in 5 areas of the boreal forest:
Greenpeace is calling for a halt to logging in 5 areas of the boreal forest they call “endangered”.
The areas are:
Quebec – Broadback Valley forest
Quebec – Montagnes Blanches forest
Ontario – Kenogami-Ogoki forest
Ontario – Trout Lake-Caribou forest
Manitoba – Boreal GemThese forests were identified using conservation science, the best mapping tools and satellite data.
Greenpeace is calling for a halt to logging in 5 areas of the boreal forest they call “endangered”.
The areas are:
Quebec – Broadback Valley forest
Quebec – Montagnes Blanches forest
Ontario – Kenogami-Ogoki forest
Ontario – Trout Lake-Caribou forest
Manitoba – Boreal GemThese forests were identified using conservation science, the best mapping tools and satellite data.
Wausau Board Responds to Starboard
Wausau Board of Directors Responds to Starboard Letters:
We were disturbed by your letter and public statements regarding the recent discussions with you about the strategy and governance of Wausau Paper. Your public description of the sequence of private events is inaccurate in many respects. In particular, our announcement on Friday regarding the exploration of alternatives for the Paper Segment and focus on Tissue Business was a unanimous Board decision that resulted from months of discussion and careful consideration by the Board of Directors with the assistance of independent financial advisors. Contrary to your accusation, this important strategic decision was not made in reaction to your letter of Friday morning.
We were disturbed by your letter and public statements regarding the recent discussions with you about the strategy and governance of Wausau Paper. Your public description of the sequence of private events is inaccurate in many respects. In particular, our announcement on Friday regarding the exploration of alternatives for the Paper Segment and focus on Tissue Business was a unanimous Board decision that resulted from months of discussion and careful consideration by the Board of Directors with the assistance of independent financial advisors. Contrary to your accusation, this important strategic decision was not made in reaction to your letter of Friday morning.
Leading Russian Pulp & Paper Mills May Merge
Leading Russian pulp and paper mills may merge
Leading Russian pulp and paper mills may merge during the next several months, in an attempt to avoid bankruptcy.
The Kondopoga mill plant, located in the Karelia region, is currently holding negotiations with the Volga plant, which is located in the Nizhny Novgorod region about the potential deal, according to the general director of Kondopoga Vladimir Bibilov.
Leading Russian pulp and paper mills may merge during the next several months, in an attempt to avoid bankruptcy.
The Kondopoga mill plant, located in the Karelia region, is currently holding negotiations with the Volga plant, which is located in the Nizhny Novgorod region about the potential deal, according to the general director of Kondopoga Vladimir Bibilov.
Warning on Rising Temperatures
“The long-term effects will undoubtedly be catastrophic,” said Terry Sunderland, CIFOR principal scientist specialising in biodiversity.
Bonnier Names Chief Content Officer
David Ritchie Tapped As Bonnier Chief Content Officer:
It’s been a busy week for Bonnier Corporation. Since last Friday, the company has had several executive changes: former CEO Terry Snow announced his retirement, creating an opening for the company’s former EVP of the Active Interest Division, Dave Freygang, to succeed him.
It’s been a busy week for Bonnier Corporation. Since last Friday, the company has had several executive changes: former CEO Terry Snow announced his retirement, creating an opening for the company’s former EVP of the Active Interest Division, Dave Freygang, to succeed him.
'Forbes' Launches African Edition
Forbes is launching its first French language
edition, Forbes Afrique. The publication,
Forbes’ 26th international edition, in done in partnership with
Lucien Ebata, an African entrepreneur, and Mark Furlong, president of Custom
Solutions Media. Forbes Afrique is distributed
throughout 23 Francophone countries in Africa. The editor is Michel Lobe, who
previously was the chief African correspondent of the BBC. Forbes Afrique’s
distribution is 25,000 copies. Editorial consists of local business stories
combined with content from Forbes’ U.S. publications.
NYT's Plans to Save the Banner Ad
Like many publications, The New
York Times has a banner ad problem. The problem is this: the Web is littered
with banners and new computer-driven methods of buying discrete audiences is
putting even further pressure on the display ad market.
But unlike newfangled
publications like BuzzFeed, the NYT isn’t giving up on the banner. In fact, it
wants to reinvent it by giving it a heavy dose of the same tech savvy behind
its recent pathbreaking
interactive feature,
“Snow Fall.”
AdMedia: M&A Expected to Remain Strong
AdMedia: M&A activity expected to remain strong: Mergers and acquisitions in the media and marketing industries are expected to be driven by strategic buyers more than by private equity this year, according to a survey by M&A firm AdMedia Partners.
Consumers Plan More Spending in 2013
A majority of consumers are planning to spend as
much or more in 2013 than last year across various retail industries, according
to a new study by Market Force Information,
a worldwide leader in customer intelligence solutions. The study also revealed
that consumers expected to spend more in major retail chains than in local
stores.
NRF Reports Holiday Spending Up 3%
Solid consumer spending in the month of
December helped retailers finish the year with a healthy holiday shopping
season, however economic uncertainties sent a cautious consumer to the stores.
According to the National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade
association, December retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and
restaurants) increased 0.8 percent seasonally adjusted from November and
increased 2.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
Total holiday retail sales increased 3.0
percent, below NRF’s projected forecast of 4.1, to $579.8 billion.
Additionally, non-store holiday sales grew 11.1 percent. Shop.org in October
forecasted a 12.0 percent growth in online sales in the months of November and
December.
Nielsen: Q3 Global Ad Revenue Up 4.3%
Global ad revenue reached $139.0 billion in
the third quarter, up 4.3% over the year-earlier period, according to Nielsen's
Global AdView Pulse.
Ad spending in the third quarter was buoyed
by the 2012 London Summer Olympics, as well as the run-up to the U.S.
presidential election. In the U.S., ad spending in the third quarter was up 10.2% over the year-earlier period.
Strata Projects Ad Spending Up 3-5% In 2013
Chicago-based advertising transactional services provider
Strata projects that ad spending will increase between 3% and 5% in 2013. The
new projection is in line with forecasts made in December by some holding
company-owned media shops. Publicis Groupe’s
ZenithOptimedia for example estimated that U.S. ad spending this year would
climb 3.5% to nearly $166.5 billion, while WPP’s GroupM forecasted a 2.7% hike
in expenditures. Strata, which is owned by Comcast Cable, processes around $50
billion in ad transactions through its software annually. The company said that
based on orders placed so far for the first quarter, demand is up slightly in
the home improvement and auto ad categories.
Catch Up News on Amazon and Sales Tax
Best Buy Gains Where Amazon
Collects Tax
Is Best Buy's gain Amazon.com's loss? An article/discussion last month on RetailWire explored the why's behind Amazon's continued sales growth in states even after it has begun to collect sales tax. Now, a Best Buy financial report shows that while its physical stores didn't get a huge boost in states where Amazon has started to add sales tax charges to purchases, its website has seen a pickup in dollar volume.
http://www.retailwire.com/discussion/16459/amazon-not-slowed-by-sales-taxes
http://www.internetretailer.com/2012/12/12/amazon-signs-another-tax-deal
Amazon signs another tax deal
Amazon.com Inc. will begin to collect sales tax on Nov. 1, 2013, from customers in Massachusetts, the retailer and state officials announced yesterday. As part of the agreement, Amazon, No. 1 in the Internet Retailer Top 500, has promised to create hundreds of jobs in the state and to work with state officials in support of pending federal legislation designed to produce states with more sales tax revenue from online and catalog purchases. In return, Amazon gets another year to avoid sales tax collection even though its acquisition earlier this year of warehouse robotics company Kiva Systems Inc., which is based in Massachusetts, requires it to collect sales tax in the state under existing law.
http://racked.com/archives/2013/01/15/amazons-threat-to-open-physical-stores-is-freaking-out-the-retail-industy.php
Retail Industry Is Freaking Out Over Threat of Amazon Store
Amazon.com Founder Jeff Bezos took home the National Retail Federation's prestigious Gold Medal Award yesterday, marking the first time an online retailer has received the award. Amazon has probably been the single most disruptive force in retail in the past years, and is therefore not exactly beloved by the traditional brick-and-mortar industry. So as NRF's membership base is comprised mainly of brick-and-mortar retailers, acknowledgement from the organization is a bit of a big deal for e-commerce.
Is Best Buy's gain Amazon.com's loss? An article/discussion last month on RetailWire explored the why's behind Amazon's continued sales growth in states even after it has begun to collect sales tax. Now, a Best Buy financial report shows that while its physical stores didn't get a huge boost in states where Amazon has started to add sales tax charges to purchases, its website has seen a pickup in dollar volume.
http://www.retailwire.com/discussion/16459/amazon-not-slowed-by-sales-taxes
Amazon Not Slowed By Sales
Taxes
It's long been argued by retailers operating
stores in states where Amazon.com doesn't collect sales taxes that the
e-tailing giant has an unfair advantage because consumers can see that with
them they can save perhaps six or seven percent. But a funny thing has happened
as more states work out deals for Amazon to collect sales taxes — the company
continues to grow.
Amazon signs another tax deal
Amazon.com Inc. will begin to collect sales tax on Nov. 1, 2013, from customers in Massachusetts, the retailer and state officials announced yesterday. As part of the agreement, Amazon, No. 1 in the Internet Retailer Top 500, has promised to create hundreds of jobs in the state and to work with state officials in support of pending federal legislation designed to produce states with more sales tax revenue from online and catalog purchases. In return, Amazon gets another year to avoid sales tax collection even though its acquisition earlier this year of warehouse robotics company Kiva Systems Inc., which is based in Massachusetts, requires it to collect sales tax in the state under existing law.
http://racked.com/archives/2013/01/15/amazons-threat-to-open-physical-stores-is-freaking-out-the-retail-industy.php
Retail Industry Is Freaking Out Over Threat of Amazon Store
Amazon.com Founder Jeff Bezos took home the National Retail Federation's prestigious Gold Medal Award yesterday, marking the first time an online retailer has received the award. Amazon has probably been the single most disruptive force in retail in the past years, and is therefore not exactly beloved by the traditional brick-and-mortar industry. So as NRF's membership base is comprised mainly of brick-and-mortar retailers, acknowledgement from the organization is a bit of a big deal for e-commerce.
USPS Responds to Board of Governors’ Call
USPS Responds to Board of Governors’ Call to Accelerate the Restructuring of Its Operations: WASHINGTON, DC—Jan. 14, 2013—The Postal Service Board of Governors met last week to discuss a wide range of accelerated cost-cutting and revenue-generating measures in the face of an unprecedented set of financial challenges, heightened by the inability of Congress to pass comprehensive postal legislation. Citing the fact that the Postal Service cannot wait indefinitely for legislation, the board of governors has directed management to accelerate the restructuring of Postal Service operations to further reduce costs in order to strengthen Postal Service finances.
Why Printed Books Will Never Die
Why Printed Books Will Never Die: eBooks are slowly subsuming the printed format as the preferred vehicle on which people read books. But perhaps there is reason to hope that e-books and print books could have a bright future together, because for all the great things eBooks accomplish, there are fundamental qualities they will simply never possess:
Books have physical beauty.
Books have provenance.
Printed books are collectible.
Books are nostalgic
Books have physical beauty.
Books have provenance.
Printed books are collectible.
Books are nostalgic
Valassis Launches Facebook Coupon App
Valassis Launches Facebook Coupon App for Food Lion: Food Lion customers can now receive additional savings by accessing in-store coupons through the company's Facebook page, powered by an app Valassis launched on Facebook Platform.
The new Facebook application also gives consumers the opportunity to share their coupons with "friends" on the social media network.
The new Facebook application also gives consumers the opportunity to share their coupons with "friends" on the social media network.
TC Transcontinental Extends Contract with Best Buy & Future Shop
TC Transcontinental extends contract to print Best Buy and Future Shop flyers and adds distribution: Montreal – TC Transcontinental is pleased to announce that it has inked an extension to 2015 of its contract to provide flyer printing services to Best Buy and Future Shop, and has added distribution into the mix. With this announcement, TC Transcontinental has again proven its broad ability to meet the needs of major national customers. The new distribution services for the two major retailers will cover Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Canada's Forest Industry Hiring Again
The forestry sector is hiring
again.
Pulp and paper companies expect
to boost their work force by 60,000 over the next seven years, a significant
turnaround for an industry that not so long ago was a basket case, laying off
workers by the tens of thousands as mills shut down across the country.
IP Finalizes Transaction with Grupo Orsa, Brazil
International Paper Finalizes Transaction with Grupo Orsa in Brazil: International Paper and Brazilian corrugated packaging producer Jari Celulose, Embalagens e Papel S.A., a Grupo Orsa company, have finalized the formation of Orsa International Paper Embalagens S.A. The new entity, in which IP will hold a 75 percent stake, includes three containerboard mills and four box plants, which make up Jari's former industrial packaging assets.
Quad/Graphics Sells Plant
The sale of the 850,000-square-foot plant on George Urban Boulevard to partners Frank J. Campofelice and Peter G. Wilson closed Monday, said Guy J. Agostinelli, the buyers' attorney, and Richard Schechter, senior director with Pyramid Brokerage Co., which marketed the property.
Hearst Has Record-Breaking March
After a strong showing in September, Hearst Magazines is
looking to clean up again with its March issues on the strength of
fashion, retail, luxury and beauty ads. With much to crow about, the company
got a jump on its rivals in putting out its numbers for the March issue, which,
along with September, are fashion magazines' biggest of the year.
Elle,
Marie Claire, Bazaar, Cosmo all boosted ad pages.
Forecast: U.S. Newspaper Ad Revenues to Fall
Forecast: U.S. Newspaper Ad Revenues, Print/Digital: U.S. newspaper print ad revenues are expected to drop significantly in the coming years, slipping from $19.14 billion in 2012 to $16.4 billion in 2016. Digital revenues, which include all digital platforms, are expected to rise slightly to $4 billion in 2016, from $3.4 billion in 2012 -- thus not covering losses from print.
Prometheus Global Names CEO
Yahoo’s former interim-CEO Ross Levinsohn (pictured) may have
been passed over for Marissa Mayer this summer, but he is now back in an
executive driver’s seat—this time as CEO of Prometheus Global
Media, publisher of Adweek, The
Hollywood Reporter, Back Stage and Billboard,
among others.
In
an additional change-up that comes with the new CEO, the company has been
renamed Guggenheim Digital Media (GDM), according to an announcement posted on Adweek.
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