Paper Clips

Insights that drive Packaging, Paper and Performance

September 2026

Senate passes Common Cents bill

The measure to provide merchants a cash rounding framework and to formally phase out the penny now heads to the White House.The Common Cents Act, which gives merchants a legal framework for rounding to the nearest nickel amid a dearth of pennies, passed the Senate on Monday night and heads to President Donald Trump. The bipartisan bill — which also formally ends U.S. Mint production of the penny — represents a victory for merchants that had sought federal guidance on how to more efficiently handle cash transactions as pennies gradually fade from circulation. The measure doesn’t apply to electronic transactions.
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Sin City Sojourn: Another Successful PRINTING United in the Books

You likely saw the stats from the PRINTING United Alliance about last week’s Expo: -27,000 registered attendees -100 countries represented -850+ exhibiting companies spanning every major segment of the printing industry -Approximately one million square feet of exhibit space -4.9 million pounds of equipment and technology PRINTING United Alliance’s Chief Economist Andy Paparozzi identified the two main forces impacting the industry today: uncertainty (specifically, economic uncertainty) and operating cost inflation. These should come as no surprise to anyone reading this—and, in fact, could apply to virtually any industry or market today. And these forces having nothing to do with demand for print, or new media, or any of the issues that have negatively impacted our industry for the past 26 years. They are entirely “created by war and erratic trade policy,” said Paparozzi.
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Federal EPR could cut waste management costs in half: WWF

Producer compliance costs could be roughly halved by following one framework instead of individual states’ EPR laws, according to an economic analysis from World Wildlife Fund and SC Johnson. World Wildlife Fund and SC Johnson are again pushing conversations about a federal EPR for packaging framework, backed by new economic and consumer sentiment research. An economic analysis published this month, commissioned by the partners and conducted by RTI, looked into the costs of implementing a federal solution versus maintaining the current state-by-state policy model for extended producer responsibility for packaging. WWF’s Erin Simon, vice president and head of plastic waste and business, said the scale-up pace for the seven state EPR laws in the U.S. begged the question, “what is the tipping point for when we need to create a more coordinated approach?”
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The Industry Comes Together at PACK EXPO International 2026

Tens of thousands of industry professionals will converge at PACK EXPO International 2026 (Oct. 18–21, McCormick Place, Chicago), creating four days of opportunities to build relationships, exchange ideas, and connect with the people shaping the industry’s future. Produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, PACK EXPO International is the largest packaging and processing show in North America. Beyond the technologies and solutions on the show floor, a full lineup of special events brings the industry together for networking, thought leadership, and meaningful conversations.
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Newspapers: White House Favors AI At Expense Of Publishers

News organizations suing OpenAI are urging a federal judge to give "little weight" to the Department of Justice's opinion that training large language models on copyrighted material is a fair use. The Justice Department "favors the AI industry at the expense of news publishers and other content creators," The New York Times and other newspapers argue,  The organizations add in papers filed Monday with U.S. District Court Judge Sidney H. Stein in the Southern District of New York that the government's position "will decimate newsrooms." "What happens then?" they write. "What happens when all the trained journalists are out of jobs? Who gets to report on the news?"
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Sabert’s Spotlight Magazine Fall 2026 Issue Explores What Wellness Means for Today’s Foodservice Industry

Sabert Corporation, a global leader in innovative and sustainable food packaging solutions, released the Fall 2026 edition of the foodservice industry’s Spotlight magazine, available now for download at sabert.com. The cover story, “Protein, Fiber, & What Comes Next,” explores how today’s health and wellness trends influence what consumers eat, how they order, and what foodservice operators need to consider as they adapt their menus and operations. “Operators come to us with specific needs: food has to travel well and still look right when the guest opens it," says Alexus Medina, Senior Director, Product Management at Sabert. “Wellness raises the bar on that. Consumers want to see what they're eating, and getting the portion right leaves them feeling good about what they ordered. More and more, they also expect the packaging to be a responsible choice.
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Customers rank Costco, In-N-Out Burger as top retail, restaurant brands

Costco Wholesale Corp. and In-N-Out Burger are the retail and restaurant brands whose physical experiences resonate most strongly with customers. The membership warehouse club giant and burger chain took the top spots in brand strategy and retail design agency ChangeUp's second annual Experience Report, which ranks the top 100 retail and restaurant brands (separately) across eight “dimensions of experience.” These include memorability, return intent, substitutability, novelty, advocacy, unprompted visit desire, relevance and staleness.
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Behind Hoka’s bid to own the NYC marathon’s run-up period

Hoka’s newest campaign marks its latest attempt to corner the loyalty of running enthusiasts across New York City in the run-up to the city’s marathon in just over a month (Nov. 2). It’s a sign of how important the running community has become to major sports apparel brands, including Hoka and rivals such as Nike, New Balance, Brooks, Adidas and On as they compete to carve out and keep their share of the long-term running revival. While rivals like Nike have struggled in recent years, Hoka has been one of the primary beneficiaries of the running renaissance. Hoka’s global revenues hit $704 million in the first quarter of this year, an 8% rise. According to Stefano Caroti, CEO, president and director of Hoka’s parent firm Deckers Outdoor Group, the brand is expected to post growth in the “low double digits” across the remainder of the year.
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Paper Groups Oppose SEC E-Delivery Proposal

U.S. paper and mailing industry groups are stepping up their opposition to a Securities and Exchange Commission proposal that would allow electronic delivery to become the default for many investor communications. The Protect Paper Choice Coalition (PPCC), which includes the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) and the Envelope Manufacturers Association (EMA), says more than 100,000 comments opposing Regulation E-Delivery were filed before the September 21 deadline.
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Walmart CEO says chain doesn’t use personal info to set prices

As Walmart rolls out out digital shelf labels chainwide, the retailer is making it clear it does not use customers’ personal information to help set prices. In a statement on the company’s website, Walmart Inc. president and CEO John Furner stated that using someone’s income, shopping history or “moment of need” to charge prices more would violate the “every day low prices” business model the company has built its business on. “We don't set different prices based on who you are or the time of day, and we won't,” he stated. “Your income, shopping history, urgency or what we think you could pay won't change the price.
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Canadian apparel brand Duer launches a print magazine as analog comes back in style

Duer, a performance jeans brand based in Canada, is leaning into print amid an analog resurgence. The company is publishing a quarterly magazine called Interval that will tell its brand story through photo spreads, features, interviews and personal essays. The first issue drops in October and will be available in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. The magazine will be stocked at Duer’s stores, mailed to loyalty members and distributed to select wholesale partners. To start, it will have a circulation of about 5,000. Duer, founded in 2013, aims to use the magazine to reach new and existing audiences and better explain its value proposition, said co-founder and CEO Gary Lenett. Lenett — who previously made jeans for Levi’s, Lee, Wrangler and Guess — launched Duer after biking to work meetings and finding a gap in the market for denim that performed like athletic wear while looking sophisticated enough for the office.
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U.S. Paper Mill to restart paper production in Chillicothe, hiring up to 350

U.S. Paper Mill is preparing to resume paper manufacturing at its Chillicothe facility, with the plant’s No. 12 paper machine expected to be running again by December, the company announced. The company has begun recruiting for paper-production positions and is prioritizing former mill employees among applicants, according to the release. U.S. Paper Mill estimates the restarted operation could add up to 350 jobs over the next year. Thirteen current employees have already been assigned to prepare the No. 12 machine, nicknamed “The Chief,” for production, the company said. Once running, it will mark the first paper manufactured at the site since the plant’s closure in August 2025.
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Record Holiday Sales? Mostly, It’s The Price

‘Tis already the season for holiday spending forecasts, a steady drip of predictions that help retailers stock shelves and marketers tweak seasonal messaging. Many tell the same story: Consumers will spend more, but that doesn’t mean their holiday budget is increasing. They plan to cut back in other areas. PwC, for example, reports that consumers plan to actually cut their gifting budget to $708, from $721 last year. And they will manage gifting budgets more carefully to protect holiday travel plans. Bain & Co. expects holiday spending to rise 4.5% year-over-year, with more than half of that coming from inflation. Mastercard expects a 5.5% year-over-year increase for the Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 period -- the strongest holiday growth since 2022, a peak inflation year. But about half of that growth will come from higher prices.
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McDonald’s to invest $8.5 billion in restaurant upgrades, tech and training

McDonald’s Corp. is launching a major initiative to make its restaurants more efficient and to be the “first choice” for more customers. As part of its “McDonald’s > NEXT” strategy, the restaurant giant said it plans to invest $8.5 billion in support to franchisees over the next decade on restaurant modernization, technology deployment and operational improvements through a combination of rent relief and capital support. The investment includes approximately $5 billion through 2030.
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Coke: World Cup Packaging Wins, New Global Strategy

From gold cans in India and Spain to a new, global visual strategy, Coke ends its 2026 World Cup festivities another year, and millions of cans, wiser. Coca-Cola Company has had a busy year, from its global FIFA World Cup 2026 support to promotions during and since the event. These include its FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola, which includes 75 stops in 30 countries and a dizzying number of product and packaging promotions. Coke's latest packaging promo news its “Own a Piece of History” campaign, which began this month and features limited-edition gold-colored cans to celebrate the end of its Trophy Tour and Spain’s trophy win. The cans bear images of the tournament trophy and the date of Spain’s 2026 World Cup victory.
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9.2.5

Dolly Parton's final song, a Bono duet, is on the new U2 album The final vocal recording of Dolly Parton's seven-decade career appears on U2's new album, Nov. 13's Carnaval de Luz, the band announced today. Parton, who died in August at age 80, recorded her duet with Bono on the album-closing track, "Torn," in June. She shares writing credits for the song with the band and Snow Patrol's Johnny McDaid. "When she got ill," Bono tells Rolling Stone in interviews for an upcoming feature, "she got out of her bed to sing this song. And you can hear that. And I can't even listen to it now."
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Smurfit Westrock to Acquire CMPC’s Chilean Containerboard and Corrugated Business for $420 Million

Smurfit Westrock has announced its agreement to acquire the Chilean Containerboard and Corrugated business of Empresas CMPC S.A. for $420 million, which represents a post-synergy transaction multiple of less than 6 times Adjusted EBITDA. Smurfit Westrock intends to fund the transaction using its own liquid resources. The deal includes one recycled containerboard mill (with a network of fiber collection centers), three corrugated plants, and one molded tray facility.
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Mondelēz Shifts 115 Cookie Products From PET to Paper Trays

The European conversion spans eight brands and more than 25 markets and is expected to eliminate roughly 2,200 tons of virgin plastic annually. Mondelēz International has completed the replacement of rigid PET trays with FSC-certified paper trays across its flagship European cookie range, extending paper packaging across a large portion of its biscuit portfolio. Explains Olivier Kintzig, biscuits packaging director, Europe, at Mondelēz International, “Replacing rigid plastic with paper across 115 products, 8 brands, and 25 European markets in a matter of months required rethinking every layer of our packaging, from tray design to logistics. The result speaks for itself: approximately 2,200 tons of virgin plastic per year, representing approximately 80% reduction. As packaging professionals, this is exactly the kind of bold, systemic change we exist to deliver.”
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Gas price spikes could put a last-minute squeeze on holiday supply chains

After months of sustained pressure from the Iran War, gasoline prices are starting to spike even higher ahead of the most critical sales period for many retailers.  The price of gas overall is up about 50% in the U.S. since the start of the conflict between the U.S., Iran and Israel on Feb. 28. But last week, some states started to see alarming price increases on top of that. In Wisconsin, for example, the average price for a gallon of gas jumped 61 cents in just eight days. In Nashville, gas prices surpassed $4 per gallon for the first time in three months.  Today, all the major carriers and even many of the regional carriers have some kind of fuel surcharge. In the past, it was fairly nominal. “When I started my career, [a fuel surcharge] was a few percentage [points],” Hertz said. “It was something that you didn’t even look at. So it’s historically been absorbed.” But fuel surcharges have now hit, if not record highs, close to near-record highs. For domestic packages, FedEx is now charging a fuel surcharge of 32.25%. Fuel surcharges are calculated weekly based on diesel and jet fuel prices.
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The Magazine’s New Job: Publish What AI Can’t Commoditize

Every publisher knows the pressure to keep the content calendar full. There are newsletters to send, websites to update, social channels to feed, and another issue already around the corner. Now, AI can produce basic articles and recommendations in seconds. The challenge is becoming less about producing enough content and more about producing something readers can’t get anywhere else. The Reuters Institute’s Journalism, Media, and Technology Trends and Predictions 2026 found that publishers plan to put greater emphasis on original reporting, contextual analysis, and human stories, while reducing their focus on some service journalism and evergreen content that AI can increasingly summarize for readers. It’s a shift that raises an interesting question for magazine publishers: if some information is becoming easier to commoditize, what deserves a place in the magazine?
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Inside the Comic That Saved Johnny Cash’s Career

It was 1976, and Johnny Cash was in trouble. Once the golden-voiced king of country music, the end of the ‘60s had not been kind to the former superstar. Changing tastes and sliding record sales had led to the cancellation of The Johnny Cash Show in 1971, and an ongoing struggle with drug addiction put a halt to any comeback. But from his valley of despair, the Man in Black was preparing to walk a path to salvation—and he was about to find a very surprising way to do it. The creation of Hello, I’m Johnny Cash, the autobiographical comic book that helped put Cash back on the cultural map, involved an unlikely cast of characters, including a longtime artist for Archie Comics, a personal preacher to President Gerald Ford, and an outlaw country singer preparing to take to the Gospel Road. Now, comics publisher Z2 is introducing a whole new generation to the long-forgotten book, 50 years after its initial publication
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Pratt invests $92.5M to build South Carolina manufacturing site

he new facility will produce the company’s recycled packaging and is expected to create 116 new jobs. The Conyers, Georgia-based packaging company is investing $92.5 million in the site at 2087 Williams Industrial Blvd. in Rock Hill, where Pratt also has a recycling facility. “We are excited to expand our operations in the great state of South Carolina and the mid-Atlantic region,” Pratt Industries Global Executive Chairman Anthony Pratt says. “Our new facility supports our continued commitment to invest in recycling, clean energy infrastructure and American manufacturing jobs.”
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Valmet supplies a complete board making line for efficient premium-quality coated board production in Asia

Valmet has been selected to supply a coated board making line, automation, and lifecycle services to a customer in Asia. The new line will produce premium-quality coated board grades and support the customer’s targets to strengthen their position as a leading producer in their field. The delivery will support the customer’s unique know-how and enable them to reach new levels of combined quality and production efficiency. The start-up of the machine is scheduled for 2028. The extensive board line order includes stock preparation and a complete board machine from headboxes to reel and winders. The consistent lifecycle performance of the machine is secured with automation, digital services, and paper machine clothing and spare parts packages. The order is included in Valmet's orders received for the third quarter of 2026. The value of the order will not be disclosed.
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ATA Truck Tonnage Index Fell 0.5% in August

Trucking activity in the United States decreased 0.5% in August after falling 1.2% in July, according to the American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index. “The truck market has certainly flipped this year, but recent tonnage levels confirm this is due to reduced capacity, not robust demand,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “Truck tonnage was down in four of the last five months. It is down 4.3% from the recent peak in March, and it has fallen from year-earlier levels in three of the last four months. Because of all the supply constraints, however, the market is generally better.”
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The Whole Industry Under One Roof — On Purpose

Be sure to visit the MIDLAND team at booth N6343. With more than 800 exhibitors at PRINTING United Expo, it’s easy to get lost in all the shiny, new equipment. That’s kind of the point, right? Yes, but with intention. The companies getting the biggest return on investment from Expo are also considering where their businesses could go next. According to the “State of the Industry Report 2026” (SOI), produced by Alliance Insights and sponsored by Canon U.S.A., more than 75% of participants have diversified beyond their primary offering. More specifically, 48.7% say wide-format printing is a secondary segment, with packaging (35%), promotional products (25.2%), and apparel (20.5%) bringing print service providers (PSPs) additional opportunities.
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125 Wines, Six Days of Tastings: How Sam’s Club Found Its New Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Sam’s Club set out to answer a tough question: Could it offer members a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, one of the world’s most celebrated wine regions, for about $10*? It took 125 submissions and six days of blind tastings to find out.  The process was led by Elliott Schaum, a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers who leads a team of wine and spirits merchants at Sam’s Club. We talked with him about how a wine earns its spot on the shelf, how we listen to members about their preferences, and why he thinks this Napa Valley Cabernet is special.
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Sabert sells to private equity

Food and beverage-focused Butterfly Equity is continuing its push into packaging following its acquisition of ePac earlier in 2026. -Los Angeles-based private equity firm Butterfly Equity announced Tuesday it has agreed to acquire Sayreville, New Jersey-based Sabert, a notable player in the food packaging and hot and cold food service product markets. -Butterfly said the deal furthers its strategy of investing in “businesses that power the evolving food and beverage segment, including packaging.” The firm previously acquired digitally printed flexible packaging specialist ePac in January.  -They expect the deal to close in the fourth quarter. Financial terms were not disclosed. Albert Salama, founder and executive chairman of Sabert, will remain a minority investor.
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AF&PA Releases August 2026 Printing-Writing Monthly Report -7%

According to the report, total printing‑writing paper shipments decreased 7% in August compared to August 2025. Total printing‑writing paper inventory levels increased 1% when compared to July 2026. Using the latest available trade data from the U.S. Census Bureau, total purchases of printing‑writing papers in July showed a small increase compared to the same month last year. Across the 3 major printing-writing categories–uncoated free sheet (UFS), coated free sheet (CFS), and mechanical (MECH)–net imports increased 26% in July compared to the same month last year. Individually, UFS increased 38%, CFS increased 51% while MECH net imports increased 13%.
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AF&PA Releases August 2026 Packaging Papers Monthly Report +4%

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in August increased 4% compared to August 2025. They were up 5% when compared to the same 8 months of 2025 -Unbleached bag & sack shipments hit a new record at nearly 119,000 short tons in August. They were up 8.4% year-to-date. -The bleached packaging papers operating rate was 91.1%; it was above 90% for the third time this year. -Total August 2026 inventories were up 1% compared to last August and were at their highest level in the last 13 months.
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Postal Service Recommends 2026 Holiday Mailing and Shipping Dates

The U.S. Postal Service announced the recommended mailing and shipping dates for the 2026 holiday season. For expected delivery before Dec. 25, the Postal Service advises customers to send mail and packages by the following dates: 2026 Holiday Shipping Dates for Contiguous U.S. (Lower 48 States) -USPS Ground Advantage service: Dec. 17 -First-Class Mail: Dec. 17 -Priority Mail: Dec. 18 -Priority Mail Express: Dec. 19
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July 2026 StatShot Report: Overall Publishing Industry Up 14.0% for the Month of July, and Up 5.4% Year-To-Date

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) released its StatShot report covering July 2026, reflecting reported revenue for Trade (Consumer Books), Education (combines PreK-12 Instructional Materials and Higher Education Course Materials), and Professional & Scholarly Publishing. Total revenue across all categories for July 2026 was up 14.0%, coming in at $1.0 billion as compared to July 2025. Year-to-date, compared with 2025, revenues were up 5.4%, at $6.7 billion in 2026.
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EU antitrust regulators set to block UPM-Sappi merger, sources say

Finland's UPM-Kymmene and South Africa-listed Sappi are set to face an EU antitrust veto against their proposed €1.42 billion ($1.66 billion) paper joint venture after the companies declined to offer concessions to address competition concerns, people familiar with the matter said.  The companies also failed to convince regulators of the merits of their deal at a closed-door hearing earlier last week even after they argued about the sustainability and resilient impact of the deal, one of the people said. Difficulties finding a buyer for any potential asset sales mean it is not an option. Regulators, which will decide on the deal by November 11, also warned the combined entity could jack up prices.
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What Amazon Web Services chief AI and technology officer told employees about the future of AI

At the AWS Global Meeting, Matt Wood drew a parallel between AI today and cloud's early days—and brought a live demo to prove the future is already here. “What we are doing today at AWS for AI is exactly what we did for cloud computing, to make this technology broadly distributed and democratized for everybody,” Wood told the audience. Wood closed with a vision for where all of it is heading. "Our goal at AWS is to make it as easy, cheap, and fast to build these valuable economically viable AI systems as it is for anyone to build a website today," he said. "It's happening now, it's happening fast, and it's happening in all industries, but most importantly of all, it's happening here on AWS."
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Barnes & Noble Continues Acquisitions Streak, Buying Stationery Brand Levenger

Just after agreeing to buy Joseph-Beth Booksellers last week, Barnes & Noble has acquired stationery and lifestyle brand Levenger, the company announced Friday. Levenger, which is known for its premium writing instruments and accessories, was founded in 1987 by Steve and Lori Leveen and has been privately held until now. The business will continue to operate from South Florida, with its existing employees remaining in place, Barnes & Noble said.
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Asia-US container rates soar past $11,000, near pandemic records

Asia-to-U.S. container spot rates have surged more than 320% since the February Strait of Hormuz crisis, with East Coast pricing hitting $11,259 per FEU — within 11.2% of the January 2022 pandemic-era record — while West Coast rates reached $7,960; carriers are adding 6-7% more East Coast capacity in September and analysts expect another spike in early October as shippers rush exports ahead of China's Golden Week shutdown.
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MIDLAND Helps Printers Simplify Specialty Media Selection at PRINTING United 2026 this week

As specialty substrates continue to expand across every print technology, selecting the right material has become more challenging—and more important—than ever. At PRINTING United Expo 2026 this week (Booth N6343), Midland will showcase the tools, samples and expertise that help commercial printers make those decisions faster and with greater confidence. Highlights at Booth N6343 include: • Specialty media swatchbooks for HP Indigo, dry toner, offset and inkjet printing. • Print technology-specific application guides and product catalogs. • Hands-on samples of synthetic papers, films, pressure-sensitive materials, digital substrates and specialty papers. • Fusion Board, Midland’s paper-based alternative to traditional plastic board. • Expert guidance from Midland’s Specialty Paper & Film team to help printers match materials to specific presses, applications and performance requirements.
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Mini Packs for Maximum Impact

Little is big! In recent years, food and beverage brands have done a creative job of producing small-format foods and beverages that pack big experiences into miniaturized presentations. When approached the right way — think “shrinkification,” not shrinkflation — tiny versions of foods and beverages can also be a great way to engage consumers with memorable brand moments. Trends driving tiny packs include built-in portion control, portability, and product sampling, whether it’s for limited-edition flavors or year-round favorites.
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On signs Mbappé as it preps entry into soccer

The superstar, who signed with Nike as a child, will help the Swiss sneaker brand do battle in a sport dominated by Nike and Adidas. On is beefing up its roster as it prepares to do battle in one of the toughest areas in athletic apparel, long dominated by Nike and Adidas. Still, entering the space makes sense for On, and “the signing of Mbappé [is] a great way to start,” according to BMO Capital Markets analysts Kelly Crago and Owen Tunstill. “Other smaller players like Skechers and New Balance have tried to break into the category with smaller, less splashy endorsements, but have yet to move the needle from a market share standpoint,”
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Billerud’s New Trend Report: The Future of Sustainable Packaging Requires Lightweighting without sacrificing Performance

New regulations, circularity requirements and rising expectations from customers and consumers are reshaping the packaging industry. Companies increasingly face the challenge of turning sustainability ambitions into practical solutions. This is one of the key findings in Billerud's new trend report, Packaging Tomorrow 2026. Based on interviews with industry experts, Billerud specialists and extensive research, the report identifies six trends shaping the future of packaging and underscores sustainability as a key business priority. Join the Webinar Webinar Packaging Tomorrow - Six Trends Shaping the Future of Better Packaging Thursday, September 24, 3:00 PM - 3:50 PM Link to the webinar The report will be available for download on September 25 at www.billerud.com
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Voith and Sun Paper set new benchmark for multi-fourdrinier packaging paper machines

Voith has successfully started up PM 47, a new packaging paper machine supplied to Sun Paper at its Yanzhou production site in Shandong Province, China. With a wire width of 8.66 meters and an annual design capacity of 700,000 tons, PM 47 achieved its maximum operating speed of 1,400 m/min only 10 days after start-up, making it among the fastest-running multi-fourdrinier packaging paper machines worldwide. A key component of the project is the OCC line, designed for a capacity of 2,200 tons per day, making it among the highest-capacity OCC lines in Asia.
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The USPS Direct Effect Program teaches students about the power of marketing mail

Direct mail is one of the most powerful and trusted tools an advertiser can use to connect with the American public. But every year, thousands of marketing students graduate without ever learning how to use one of the most effective channels available to them. The irony is striking. Direct mail consistently delivers higher response rates than digital channels for many campaigns. Yet in most marketing programs, it barely appears in the curriculum. Students learn about social media analytics, email segmentation and conversion funnels — all valuable skills — but many graduate without understanding how to build an integrated campaign that combines physical mail with digital touchpoints. Direct Effect teaches students the fundamentals of direct mail, how to use it to influence consumer behaviors. Students learn about driving traffic to a retail location or a website as well as more complicated uses of mail in integrated marketing campaigns.
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Amazon and No Kid Hungry Deliver More Than 2 Million Meals to Families in Rural Communities This Summer

Amazon and No Kid Hungry today announced results from its Summer Meals for Kids pilot program which delivered more than 2 million meals to families in rural communities across the U.S. this summer. Operating under the USDA's Summer Food Service Program, the program combines No Kid Hungry's expertise in childhood hunger and summer nutrition with Amazon's rural delivery network to reach families who face barriers to accessing traditional summer meal sites that provide free meals for kids on-site. The pilot ran from May through August 2026, spanned 18 local food bank and school district partners across 13 states, and delivered more than 2 million meals directly to families' doorsteps.
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NFL Opening Week Draws 19.5M Viewers, Down 13%

With additional games added to its roster, the first week of the new NFL season posted a 13% drop in overall average viewership per game to 19.5 million, according to Nielsen, versus a year ago. Still, that average was higher than the NFL’s overall regular-season average of a year ago, which came in at 18.7 million. NBC’s big “Sunday Night Football” game earned the best results for Week One, at 25.7 million. It featured two major NFL team brand names: The New York Giants winning over the Dallas Cowboys, 28-20.
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Greif to exit CRB market with Georgia mill closure

Ohio-based Greif plans to close its Sweetwater paperboard mill in Austell, Georgia, by year’s end, in turn exiting the coated recycled paperboard market entirely. The closure will remove approximately 120,000 tons of annual production capacity. The site — which makes CRB and uncoated recycled paperboard, as well as gypsum facing and backing paper grades — dates back to Greif’s 2019 acquisition of Austell-based Caraustar Industries. But the mill has proven to have “limited integration” within Greif’s network and failed to be competitive, the company said. Greif aims to continue serving affected URB customers through the company’s broader North American mill network.
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The Ultimate List of Packaging Design Guides for Sustainability in an EPR Era

This free collection of resources can help you design your packaging for better sustainability and for complying with extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws. With the following guide, Packaging Digest brings you a collection of informative resources to help you navigate this choice-abundant landscape. Click through our handy reference for plenty of tips and strategies spanning everything from primers on sustainable best-practice design basics to informed recyclable material choices and end-of-life package disposal. Click on the link for more details: Packaging Design Guides for Sustainability in an EPR Era
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Shein expands U.S. fulfillment network with 737,000-square-foot Indiana warehouse

Less than two weeks after Shein’s initial public offering in Hong Kong, the online marketplace that made its name in fashion opened the doors to a new warehouse in Lebanon, Indiana. Shein’s latest distribution warehouse in the U.S. measures 737,000 square feet, according to the company’s official announcement. The heavily automated facility marks an expansion of Shein’s presence in Indiana, where Shein now claims to occupy more than 2.5 million square feet in total. The warehouse will be responsible for creating “hundreds of new jobs” in the area, according to Shein. Its official count includes 1,300 employees already working in Indiana. As it begins operating, Shein expects that the location will support future growth while improving the company’s fulfillment capabilities.
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Brands Must Get Ahead of ‘Ultra-Processed’

Coming regulations on ultra-processed foods could affect labeling, marketing, materials, and design, requiring brands to consider packaging when preparing for new requirements. The ultra-processed foods debate will bring new federal regulations of a type and scope that’s yet to be determined. In the interim, brands need to anticipate what’s likely to come and to strategize accordingly. To begin, companies need to recognize the difference represented by the debate. Whereas there long has been a regulatory focus on nutritional labeling, the ultra-processed foods debate is about different disclosures, namely the levels of processing that foods undergo, along with certain targeted additives. It’s a safe bet that the coming regulations will affect labeling. Placement is a key issue. If, for example, certain information is mandated for front-of-package placement, companies will need to decide how to best integrate it, while still leveraging the communication function of packaging.
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We appreciate our truck drivers!

There are roughly 3.6 million professional truck drivers nationwide, including the 100+ Midland drivers– delivering the essential goods our families rely on – from food to fuel to medicine to clothing. The hard-working men and women behind the wheel safely transport more than 11 billion tons of goods and products every year, which account for more than 70% of America’s total annual freight. 80% of U.S. communities depend solely on trucking to deliver goods.
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Make a Difference with Nordstrom This Holiday Season

For the sixth consecutive year, we are proud to support Operation Warm and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America as our national holiday giveback partners. We’re continuing our tradition of partnering with nonprofits that reflect our values and help families thrive. From Nov. 3 – Dec. 31, 2025, we’re making it easier than ever for employees and customers to give back to causes that strengthen the communities we serve. Providing 12,000 Kids with Coats and More Through Operation Warm Since 2018, Nordstrom and our customers have donated nearly $3 million to Operation Warm, a nonprofit that manufactures brand-new, high-quality coats for children in need. To date, we’ve supported the delivery of more than 119,000 coats to kids in our local communities.
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Almost 1 million TEUs in new record for this U.S. container gateway

The Port of Long Beach handled its busiest August on record, moving nearly 920,000 container units as shippers continued to adjust supply-chain strategies amid tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty. Long Beach processed 919,992 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in August, up 2% from the same month in 2025. The result also ranked as the fifth-busiest month in the port’s 115-year history. Imports increased 3.6% year over year to 456,100 TEUs, while exports rose 4% to 99,754 TEUs. Empty-container moves, an indicator of future import traffic, slipped 0.39% to 364,138 TEUs. “Our August numbers tell us that shippers continue to adapt to tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty and are confident in the Port of Long Beach’s ability to deliver,” port Chief Executive Noel Hacegaba said in a release.
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ChatGPT Leaps To No. 5 Brand In Loyalty

The loyalty landscape is undergoing a shakeup, with Brand Keys' new annual ranking showing five trends redefining what people expect from their favorite brands. Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Apple and ChatGPT are the five highest-performing on this year’s list, with Samsung, Coca-Cola, Netflix, TikTok and Walmart rounding out the top 10. “Consumers are showing a stronger affinity for AI-enabled platforms, digital ecosystems, subscription services, and membership models,” writes Robert Passikoff, founder and president of the brand research consultancy. “What’s notable is that the list isn’t simply dominated by ‘cool’ brands. It reflects high-frequency, high-dependency relationships and brands that play a central role in everyday life.”
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Amazon, Target to both host fall holiday sales extravaganzas

Early October will see two major retailers get an early start to the holiday promotional season. Once again, Amazon is officially kicking off its holiday promotional season with a sales event called Prime Big Deal Days, and Target is competing with an overlapping edition of its “Target Circle Deal Days” early holiday blockbuster. For the fifth consecutive year, Amazon is offering a fall version of its Prime Day sales extravaganza. The online giant debuted Prime Big Deal Days, the fall version of its annual Prime Day 48-hour sales extravaganza, in October 2022. For the fourth consecutive year, Target is running a fall early holiday promotion that is competitively timed with Prime Big Deal Days. Previously a weeklong event called Target Circle Week, Target Circle Deal Days will run Oct. 6-7
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Smurfit Westrock, Pratt seek investigation into ‘unfairly traded’ pizza box imports

A coalition of packaging companies filed petitions last week with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission requesting investigations and antidumping and countervailing duties for “unfairly traded” imports of corrugated pizza boxes from China, Malaysia and Turkey. The group calls itself the American Pizza Boxes Manufacturers Coalition and is composed of Smurfit Westrock and Pratt Industries, according to a news release from Wiley Rein, the law firm representing the coalition. The United Steelworkers union also jointly filed the petitions.
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AAP June 2026 Report: Overall Publishing Industry Up 11.0% for the Month of June, and Up 3.9% Year-To-Date

Trade (Consumer Book) Revenues Up 12.1% for Month of June, and Up 3.8% Year-to-Date The Association of American Publishers (AAP) released its StatShot report covering June 2026, reflecting reported revenue for Trade (Consumer Books), Education (combines PreK-12 Instructional Materials and Higher Education Course Materials), and Professional & Scholarly Publishing. Total revenue across all categories for June 2026 was up 11.0%
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UPM and Sappi nominate management team for planned graphic paper joint venture

The following people have been conditionally nominated for the management team: -Jan Gustafsson, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, with responsibility for HR, Strategy, Communications, Sustainability, and Legal. He is currently Vice President, Human Resources, UPM Communication Papers.   -Marco Eikelenboom, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, with responsibility for Sales and Marketing. He is currently Chief Executive Officer of Sappi Europe SA. -Antti Hermonen, Senior Vice President, Operations, with responsibility for Operations, R&D, Energy, and Sourcing. He is currently Senior Vice President, Operations, UPM Communication Papers. -Jan-Sander van Tuijl, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain. He is currently Vice President, Supply Chain & Procurement, Sappi Europe SA.
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Why SoHo is still a retail favorite

On a warm afternoon in late July, a line of people snaked south down Broadway and curled west around the Prada store onto Prince Street. But shoppers weren’t there for luxury fashion. They were queued up to a small wooden stand near the corner of Mercer Street to get a free sample from cosmetics brand Milk, which was doing a pop-up activation in the neighborhood.  It’s a perfect snapshot of SoHo’s current landscape, where high-end brands such as Gucci and Chanel share a zip code with mass retailers including American Eagle and Target, and a makeshift wooden sidewalk shack can set up shop a block away from Apple and Louis Vuitton. “SoHo is a big destination,” said Marie Driscoll, CEO of retail consultancy Driscoll Advisors and professor at The New School. “It’s kind of like the mall of New York City, except it’s not enclosed.”
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Sappi Europe Announces Price Increases of 5-7% for Woodfree Coated Sheets

Sappi Europe, a leading producer of high quality graphic papers, today announces a price increase of 5-7% across its full range of Woodfree Coated (WFC) papers sold in European Markets. The increase will apply to all new orders and deliveries from 12 October 2026. The adjustment is necessary to address the continued escalation of costs across the supply chain. These cost increases have placed significant pressure on the economics of paper production and require a corresponding market response to ensure sustainable operations.
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3 paper packaging CEOs talk market volatility, pricing

CEOs from Packaging Corporation of America, International Paper and Graphic Packaging International discussed trends including supply and demand dynamics and cyclosporiasis outbreak​​​​​s. Economic and geopolitical disruptions are heavily impacting paper and packaging businesses and creating market volatility, according to fiber company executives who spoke at the Jefferies Global Industrials Conference on Thursday. Cost inflation universally continues to pose a drag. OCC prices have gone up notably, presenting a “$400 million, $500 million swing in this year alone,” according to International Paper CEO Andy Silvernail. Fuel and transport costs also are significantly higher due to the war with Iran.  “We all know those challenges that are out there, and they’re undeniable,” Silvernail said of trade, tariffs and conflict. “At the same time, what it does is it sets the context for how you can compete.”
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AF&PA Urges Commercial Recycling Exclusion from EPR

The American Forest & Paper Association is calling for commercial paper and packaging recycling to be excluded from extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs, arguing that these materials already move through established, privately funded recycling systems. Under the model described by AF&PA, businesses contract directly with recycling companies. The association says keeping these materials separate from household recycling reduces contamination and maintains more consistent quality, supporting their use in new paper and packaging products. AF&PA argues that businesses using these arrangements already finance their recycling services. Including their packaging in EPR programs could therefore require them to contribute to residential systems from which they receive no collection services. The association also contends that additional fees and compliance requirements could disrupt established recycling markets and ultimately increase consumer costs.
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In the bin or not? How MRF (Material Recycling Facility) operators decide which packaging to take.

As EPR laws and reputational concerns drive brands to push for their product packaging in accepted material lists, those debates have grown more complex. MRF operators must continuously decide if they want to take the leap into accepting new materials as technology adapts, markets shift and brand packaging changes in response to consumer preferences and new policy. That requires balancing the risks and the rewards. The first thing to understand, according to Kate Davenport, chief impact officer at The Recycling Partnership, is that a MRF is “fundamentally a manufacturing facility.”  “They’re getting feedstock in and having to prepare that to sell into a supply chain,” she said. A key difference from most other manufacturers is that MRFs “have no control over the quality, composition or volume of the material you’re getting on a day-to-day basis.” For something to be truly recyclable “it has to be collectible, sortable and marketable,” said Zan Jones, executive director at Eco-Cycle, a Colorado mission-based recycler. “If all those three things aren’t in place, then something isn’t really recyclable.”
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U.S. ecommerce sales grow double digits for first time in 5 years during Q2

Ecommerce sales in Q2 2026 grew more than 10% year over year for the first time since the same quarter in 2021, according to Digital Commerce 360 analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. That was also more than double the rate of total U.S. retail sales growth, which reached 5.3%. Q2 marked the fastest total retail sales growth since Q1 2023. The last time U.S. total retail sales grew at least 10% year over year was in Q4 2021.
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Smurfit Westrock named among TIME’s World’s Best Companies for third consecutive year

Smurfit Westrock has once again been recognized by TIME in its World’s Best Companies list. The company’s inclusion on the prestigious global listing is based on excellent scores across the following three dimensions: employee satisfaction, revenue growth and sustainability transparency. Climbing 15 places from last year’s position, the 2026 ranking reflects the company’s industry leadership and its ongoing commitment to sustainability and its workforce. Highlights from Smurfit Westrock’s 2025 Sustainability Report include the launch of its Better Planet Targets and issuance of more than $1.3 billion of green bonds. Smurfit Westrock was ranked 190 on the list and 12th in the engineering, manufacturing and medical technology category. The TIME World’s Best Companies analysis is based on an independent methodology developed by TIME and Statista.
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The Rothschild Dam Modernization: An Investment in Wisconsin’s Future

In August 2025, Domtar broke ground on a multi-year project to modernize the Rothschild Dam near our mill in Rothschild, Wisconsin. The Rothschild Dam modernization is just one example of Domtar’s continued investment in Wisconsin, supporting the long-term future of the mill and the surrounding community.  “The Rothschild Dam modernization is important to Domtar, our community and north central Wisconsin,” says Dave Faucett, general manager, Rothschild Mill. “Along with the Nekoosa Mill, located downstream, we support an estimated 3,500 local jobs, including 750 direct employees, and generate $1 billion in annual economic impact to the local economies in Wisconsin.
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Fastmarkets RISI plans to add corrugated box cost index

This is a “major development” that could affect the decades-old model for monthly corrugated pricing, according to analysts. The proposed CCB would combine Fastmarkets RISI’s virgin and recycled fiber price data with third-party economic and cost indicators related to labor, energy, chemicals, maintenance, transportation and other factors. Each component would be weighted in the calculation, with manufacturing wages most heavily considered at 26%, followed by repair and maintenance and “other manufacturing costs” tying for second place at 14%, and OCC coming in third at 10%. Each input for the calculated benchmark would be indexed to a January 2019 baseline of 100 points, and changes would be measured against that.
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Icy Hot’s Scratch-and-Sniff Carton Solves a Shelf Problem

Brand owner Opella encapsulated its actual product fragrance oil and mixed it into a standard spot varnish on its products’ carton. That means no sticker application on otherwise recyclable paperboard, no new packaging equipment, and no more shoppers tearing open glued end cartons to smell the new fragrances inside. Icy Hot's new 2-oz roll-on comes in three fragrances designed to work with menthol, not mask it, addressing consumer concerns about medicinal odors in pain relief products. The scratch-and-sniff feature uses actual fragrance oils from the product encapsulated into a clear, matte varnish applied in a standard printing process. This is the first scratch-and-sniff technology used in OTC topical pain relief packaging, with no new tooling, equipment retrofitting, or substrate changes required.
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Kruger’s Project Tuckamore Registered for Environmental Assessment

Corner Brook Pulp and Paper has registered an ambitious renewable energy project with the provincial government for environmental assessment. If approved, Project Tuckamore will see the development of a 155 MW wind farm in western Newfoundland, including 22 wind turbines and associated infrastructure. For example, a transmission line will connect the wind farm to the existing substation in Massey Drive. The proposal also includes upgrades to Deer Lake Power’s facilities, road improvements, site preparation, turbine installation and the construction of electrical infrastructure. Kruger announced its plans to help revitalize Corner Brook Pulp and Paper earlier this summer.
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How 7 Brew’s first CMO is marketing the fastest-growing brand in the US

Since its 2017 founding, 7 Brew has quickly established itself as a restaurant brand to watch, with a drive-thru model that serves up more than 20,000 possible drink combinations spanning coffee, energy drinks, smoothies and more. The chain, which is mostly franchised, has over 800 stands across 38 states, is on pace to surpass 1,000 units this year and is the fastest growing brand in the U.S., per a Yelp report. 7 Brew’s growth comes as competitor Dutch Bros notched an impressive 8.3% increase in same-store sales in Q2 2026. The drive-thru beverage chains are currently battling on several fronts.
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Why brand personality matters more than ever

When Callaway Golf recently faced criticism over a social media campaign created with golf brand Good Good Golf, much of the discussion centered on creative judgment and approval processes. Marketers asked a familiar question: How did this get approved? A more useful question is whether the brand had clear personality guardrails in place to identify potential issues before the campaign reached the market. The underlying strategy may have been sound, but that does not necessarily mean the execution reflected the character customers associate with the brand. In many cases, creative failures are not positioning failures. They are personality failures.
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Heard the Term “Digital Detox”? If Not, You Will

Gen Z and Millennials are starting to move away from their phones and social media in order to escape the notifications, algorithms, and endless feeds.  It’s called “digital detox,” and it’s a trend that has been growing. As reported by Axios, “Gen Z is buying old iPods again to escape the notifications, algorithms, and endless feeds that came with the smartphone era.” Why does it work? Classic iPods are single purpose. All you can do is listen to music—and escape all of the other digital clutter Indeed, searches for “digital detox” nearly tripled between 2020 and early 2026. “Analog life” and “digital detox” searches saw a 100% increase over just six months as of April 2026. The trend is mainstream enough that demand for digital detox retreats has seen a 47% yearly rise among those aged 18–26. It’s showing up in a renewed resurgence in print, too. We used to talk about the data almost in hopeful terms. Glean whatever positive data we can that supports the value of print and get it out there to remind ourselves that the industry is still a force to be reckoned with.
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Eco Guardian Highlights Canadian Paper Cup Production

Eco Guardian says its Aurora, Ontario, plant is fully operational, manufacturing paper cups and bowls as the company positions its Canadian production and non-U.S. raw material sourcing as alternatives for buyers facing trade uncertainty. According to the company, the facility has annual capacity exceeding one billion cups and already supplies national quick-service restaurant chains, grocery retailers, and national and regional foodservice distributors. Another production line is on order, with startup expected within three to four months of its September 2 announcement.Products include cups and food containers for hot and cold applications, with polyethylene (PE) or polylactic acid (PLA) lining options, as well as bamboo-paper alternatives. Matching lids are sourced from partner manufacturers rather than produced at Aurora.
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UPM and Sappi select management nominees for planned graphic paper Joint Venture

UPM and Sappi have conditionally selected nominees for the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the planned graphic paper Joint Venture. Gunnar Eberhardt has been nominated as Chief Executive Officer of the Joint Venture. Stephen Blyth has been nominated as Chief Financial Officer of the Joint Venture. The nominations are conditional on receipt of all regulatory approvals and completion of the transaction. Gunnar Eberhardt has successfully led the UPM Communication Papers business as Executive Vice President since October 2024. Stephen Blyth was appointed as CFO of Sappi Europe SA in July 2014. Prior to this he was the Deputy Group Treasurer for Sappi International in Brussels since 2010
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Johnsonville Votes For Sausage Over Political Ads

Johnsonville has jumped back into electoral politics, this time asking people to vote for something sensible: affordable protein for dinner. The humorous campaign targets viewer fatigue, as record spending on political ads threatens to drain the fun out of every last game, sitcom and streaming pleasure. This time, the company is throwing its hat in the ring for Dinner 2026. Backed by research it conducted with Harris Polls, Johnsonville has learned  Americans are already overwhelmed by both politics and meal planning. Sausage is running the dinner race on a core promise to simplify dinner decisions, the company says.
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Dolly Parton: Print and Mail Superstar

Dolly Parton was a lot of things: music icon, songwriter, actor, businesswoman, philanthropist and, yes, a print-and-mail superstar too. Until she passed, that last one is not what I thought of first when hearing her name. But then again, I didn’t know much at all about the marvel that is her Imagination Library. It’s a book program that since 1995, has put more than 330 million books into the hands of children. A book a month creates a rhythm. The child expects the next book. The parent gets another opportunity to read together. These small moments make reading part of everyday life. And the child is better prepared for school and eventually, choosing books for themselves. The Dollywood Foundation filing to the Postal Regulatory Commission. States that the Imagination Library mailed nearly 40 million books as USPS Marketing Mail flats in 2025 alone. That's millions of pieces of physical communication that generate revenue for an institution that connects communities in ways few other organizations can.
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Holiday spending forecast to top $1 trillion

Inflation is expected to account for much of the increase, according to a new report from Bain & Company. U.S. retail sales during November and December are forecast to grow 4.5% year over year and top $1 trillion for the first time, according to a Thursday release from Bain & Company. Inflation will account for over half of the nominal rise in sales, per the report.  While in-store retail sales are expected to grow 2.5%, online sales are expected to rise 9% year over year, according to Bain’s findings based on a survey of over 1,100 consumers.
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What Is Hesperaloe Fiber and Why Is Kimberly-Clark Investing in It?

Hesperaloe is a desert plant native to Arizona, California, and Sonora, Mexico. Its long, slender fibers may allow it to provide strength similar to northern softwood pulp while maintaining very low fiber coarseness. The plant also grows with very little water, particularly compared with cotton, one of the thirstiest commercial crops. Its low lignin content may make pulping easier and less capital-intensive. As a result, Hesperaloe is a candidate for simpler chemical-mechanical processes that are also being explored for other non-wood fibers. The idea itself is not new. Hesperaloe first appeared in the patent literature in a 1993 James River (Georgia-Pacific) patent, followed by a 1999 pulping process developed by Hurter Consulting and North Carolina State University. What has changed is the scale of the effort to determine whether the fiber can become commercially viable. The opportunity is significant, but so is the risk. Developing Hesperaloe into a commercially viable fiber source will require breakthroughs in agriculture, processing, and supply-chain development. Kimberly-Clark’s recently announced $100 million pilot plant in Yuma, Arizona, suggests the company believes the potential is worth exploring.
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Judge denies motion to dismiss containerboard price-fixing lawsuit

The federal judge cited significant consolidation within the containerboard market and “nearly lockstep price increases.” In the 49-page decision, Rowland conveyed there is enough evidence of a potential conspiracy in the plaintiff’s materials to warrant further exploration in a lawsuit.  “Considered as a whole, Plaintiff’s allegations are sufficient to make the inference of a conspiracy plausible,” she said. “Plaintiff’s well-pleaded allegations regarding six lockstep or nearly lockstep price increases are sufficient on their face to show parallel conduct.”
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‘PSA on PSA’ Turns to Urologists To Spread Prostate Cancer Awareness

You could call it “doctor-centered” rather than the current health marketing trope of “patient-centric.” Marking its fourth year, Cleveland Diagnostics’ (Cleveland Dx) annual “A PSA on PSA” prostate cancer awareness campaign has moved from last year’s emphasis on consumer action to a video series featuring conversations between urologists. “A PSA on PSA” is short for "A Public Service Announcement on the Prostate-Specific Antigen,” and the campaign is again running to coincide with September’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. “Adding physicians came down to a measure of authenticity,” Chris Fox, Cleveland Dx vice president of marketing, tells Marketing Daily. “As marketers, we’re really good at creating educational content, but oftentimes it just comes off as that.”
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Europe’s competitiveness depends on keeping manufacturing viable

As Europe looks for ways to strengthen its industrial base and competitiveness, much of the debate understandably focuses on building new industrial capacity. But retaining viable manufacturing also means enabling established industries to adapt to structural changes in demand. European demand for graphic paper has fallen by more than 60 per cent since 2007. A market of more than 40 million tonnes in 2008 had contracted to around 13 million tonnes by 2025 and is projected to reach just over eight million tonnes by 2030. This decline in demand reflects long-term structural changes in how information is consumed and distributed, driven principally by the continued shift towards digital alternatives. That scale of change presents an unavoidable question for our industry. How do we reshape a manufacturing base built for a much larger market while continuing to serve customers reliably and invest in sustainable European production? It is a question both Sappi and UPM are facing. The proposed 50/50 joint venture would bring together our graphic paper businesses in an independent company, creating a broader industrial base better able to respond to the market Europe now has.
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Costco August sales up 9.9% amid higher gas prices, digital growth

Costco Wholesale Corp. maintained momentum in August as its average worldwide transaction increased, boosted by higher gas prices.   The membership warehouse giant reported that its net sales increased 9.9% to $23.70 billion in August. For the 16-week fourth quarter, net sales increased 11.3% to $93.9 billion. The average worldwide transaction was up 5.7%. Excluding fuel and foreign exchange, the average transaction rose 2.8% Costco noted that the average worldwide selling price of gas per gallon was up 25.8% in August.
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The PACK Act Clears Key Hurdle

The Packaging and Claims Knowledge (PACK) Act took a step forward September 1 as the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade advanced H.R. 6832 to the full committee, building momentum for federal packaging sustainability labeling claims. The bipartisan legislation, introduced by Representative Randy Weber (TX-14), would establish a uniform federal framework for recyclable, compostable, and reusable claims on consumer product packaging, replacing the growing patchwork of conflicting state requirements. “Whether you’re making a product, stocking a grocery store, or trying to figure out what in the world a label even means, you shouldn’t need 50 different rulebooks,” Weber said in a statement. “The PACK Act cuts through the confusion and brings some good old-fashioned common sense back to the process. If a business chooses to make a recyclable, compostable, or reusable claim, they should have one clear, voluntary federal framework to follow, not a regulatory maze that changes from state to state.”
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Saks, Neiman Marcus Try And Put A Fresh Foot Forward

Exemplar Luxury Group -- the holding company that rose from the ashes of the rancorous Saks Global bankruptcy -- is rolling into fall fashion with splashy new campaigns from Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. The campaigns come just months after the company re-emerged. That January Chapter 11 meltdown was especially bitter. Amazon, an early investor, told CNBC Saks burned through hundreds of millions in less than a year, and investors accused the company of mismanagement. Perhaps most damaging, though, was that Saks owed payments to dozens of vendors, by an amount Reuters reported as $337 million. Among them were Chanel and Kering, which owns Gucci and Saint Laurent, some of the most coveted brands in the luxury space. With a centralized marketing team, Exemplar is hoping to rebuild both stores’ reputations for high-end style and must-have luxury brands.
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UN: Every US$1 invested in climate and clean-air action can return US$15

Every US$1 invested in tackling climate change and air pollution together can generate around US$15 in economic benefits, according to a report published today by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC). This is higher than tackling climate and clean air separately, and it includes both market and non-market economic gains. “For too long, we have treated climate action as a cost to be managed and air pollution as the unfortunate outcome of development. This report shows the opposite: clean air is a key driver of development, health, food and energy security, and climate stability – an asset we must invest in,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “Proven solutions already exist. What we lack is the decisive leadership from governments, financial institutions, and businesses to deliver them with the speed and coordination this crisis demands.”
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UK Plastic Packaging Tax sidelines bio-based alternatives, warns Duo Packaging

The UK’s Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) has drawn criticism from Duo Packaging, which argues that the policy unintentionally disadvantages bio-based plastics by treating them in the same way as fossil-based plastics. The PPT, introduced in 2022, requires manufacturers to pay a tax if they have produced or imported plastic packaging components in the UK — including bio-based plastics — that contain less than 30% recycled plastic.
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Athletic Brewing appoints new CMO amid marketing push

Athletic Brewing Company, a leading nonalcoholic brewer, announced Dan Kleinman has been appointed chief marketing officer after a monthslong search, per information shared with Marketing Dive. “As Athletic Brewing continues to evolve from an industry pioneer into a transcendent global brand, we couldn’t be more excited to welcome Dan Kleinman to our senior leadership team,” said Bill Shufelt, co-founder and CEO of Athletic Brewing Company in press materials. The nonalcoholic beer category has seen significant growth, and now makes up 87% of all non-alcohol sales in the U.S., per Beer Institute data. The category saw a growth of 23% in 2025. Alcohol consumption has fallen considerably in recent years, with 54% of U.S. adults saying they drink as of 2025, the lowest in nearly 90 years, as measured by Gallup. That number is even lower among young Americans at 50%.
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The UPS Store enlists first brand character to support franchisees

The UPS Store on Monday introduced Blu, its first brand character. Blu, a friendly woman wearing a blue The UPS Store polo and black pants, is part of a larger national, multiyear campaign set to run on television, digital, social and print channels. The effort is aimed at small business owners and spotlights the retailer’s services, such as printing, shipping and mailboxes. The effort follows a recent pivot by United Parcel Service, the parent company of The UPS Store, to focus on premium services. In early 2025, it announced it was reducing deliveries for Amazon by over 50%. The reduction in volume led to a broad restructuring of the company’s network, including the elimination of 48,000 jobs that year, with an additional reduction of 30,000 positions planned for 2026.
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Come Monday

Jimmy Buffett taught the world that sometimes you just need to waste away in Margaritaville because, after all, it’s five o’clock somewhere. The late singer-songwriter, who passed in 2023 at age 76, remains beloved among Parrot Heads everywhere. His success was largely rooted in Buffett’s band as chronicled in the upcoming documentary Occupational Hazard: The First Coral Reefers. The film, rolling out in major cities starting September 5, timed to Jimmy Buffett Day on September 4, traces their journey back to the 1970s and 1980s. 
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What Makes a POP Display Actually Work in Retail? (Backed by Real-World Examples)

Walk down any retail aisle and you can watch it happen in real time. Some displays stop shoppers mid-stride, draw them in, and move product off the floor. Others sit in a prime spot — right brand, right size, right location and somehow get walked past all day. That difference is rarely down to luck. A point of purchase (POP) display has to do several jobs at once. It has to catch attention, communicate a brand in a few seconds, survive the daily reality of a busy store, and arrive in one piece after a long trip through the supply chain. When any one of those jobs is missed, even a beautifully designed display underperforms. Below, we break down the four things that separate retail displays that sell from the ones that fade into the background, plus the common mistakes that quietly cost brands sales. https://hoodcontainer.com/pop-display-design-best-practices/
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McKesson Faces $55 Million Ransom Demand After Massive Data Breach

Cyberterrorist group ShinyHunters claims responsibility for breaching pharmaceutical giant McKesson, allegedly stealing 284 million patient records. Cyberterrorist group ShinyHunters has taken responsibility for an attack against pharmaceutical giant McKesson- the latest in a string of cyberattacks rocking the industry in 2026. On August 28, McKesson filed documents notifying the Securities and Exchange Commission of the attack. “At this time, customers may experience intermittent service degradation that we believe may be related to this incident,” McKesson said in a statement. “We are aware of these issues and continue to monitor the situation closely.” The company has confirmed that the hackers took data from customers in the oncology and surgical business units.
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Consumers Weigh In on AI-Generated Packaging Graphics

T&T Design Group puts human, AI, and hybrid package design to the test, uncovering a complicated relationship between visual standout, trust, perceived value, and purchase intent. A T&T Design Group study of 3,600 consumers found that packaging graphics created through a hybrid human-AI process significantly outperform both pure AI-generated and human-only designs, earning higher scores for appeal, trust, and purchase intent, with consumers willing to pay 7% more for hybrid designs compared to 1.8% less for AI-only graphics.
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The Digital Product Passport Is Coming to America—Whether U.S. Printers Are Ready or Not

Here is an uncomfortable truth for the U.S. printing industry: a regulation drafted in Brussels is about to dictate how you document, produce, and sell printed textile products—and most American printers have no idea it is happening. The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is frequently dismissed as a European concern, a piece of continental bureaucracy that stops at the Atlantic. That assumption is not just wrong. It is commercially dangerous. The brands you print for are already preparing. The deadlines are closer than they appear. And the printers who treat the DPP as someone else’s problem will find themselves quietly removed from supply chains they have served for decades. At its simplest, a Digital Product Passport is a digital record attached to a physical product accessed through a QR code, NFC chip, or barcode that documents everything about that product across its entire lifecycle.
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REI announces Labor Day Sale with deals to close out summer and gear up for fall

REI Co-op is helping customers make the most of the final stretch of summer and get ready for the cooler days ahead with its Labor Day Sale, running August 28 through September 7. Whether customers are making the most of the waning summer sun or looking ahead to brisker fall adventures, REI’s Labor Day Sale includes deals on trusted outdoor gear, apparel and accessories from REI Co-op and other trusted outdoor brands. 
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How Employee-Led Conservation Projects Save 2.3 Billion Gallons of Water a Year

Since 2023, employee-led projects at ten Domtar mills have reduced the company’s water use by more than 2.3 billion gallons a year — enough to fill 3,480 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Twenty-four projects, designed and driven by the people who know the mills best, are helping Domtar’s paper and packaging mills reach the company’s water target: a 20% reduction in water-use intensity by 2030, compared to 2020 levels.  The program works like a competition. Through the Water Reduction Capex Fund, Domtar sets aside a portion of capital spending solely for water-reduction projects, and mill teams submit proposals for a share of it. There’s one unusual rule.  “The projects didn’t need to provide a financial return. The priority was saving water,” says Brian Kozlowski, senior director of environment and sustainability for Domtar’s Paper and Packaging business unit. “That gave our employees the chance to think beyond the bottom line — and they really did.”
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Untuckit to be acquired by apparel and accessories firm with eye on expansion

A direct-to-consumer brand is getting new owners who plan to accelerate its growth. Randa Apparel & Accessories (Randa) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Untuckit brand and operations. Terms of the deal, which is subject to customary closing conditions and approvals, were not revealed. “We spent 15 years proving that a shirt built to be worn untucked could become a brand people trust,” said Chris Riccobono, Untuckit’s co-founder. “Randa brings something different: more than a century of relationships with the world’s leading retailers and suppliers, along with the global capabilities to help Untuckit reach its next stage.”  Following the close of the transaction, Untuckit and its leadership team will continue to operate from its SoHo headquarters in New York City. The brand will be operated as a standalone business.
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EPR Tide Recedes, but Other Waves of Regulation Are Likely to Follow

Legislation aimed at creating extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs for packaging hit something of a speed bump in 2026. This year, lawmakers failed to pass packaging-focused EPR bills in six states—just one shy of the number of states that have EPR laws for packaging on their books. That ought to come as a relief to printers and converters of labels and packaging, but in many cases it won’t. This is not because the news isn’t positive. It’s because all too often, printers and converters are only vaguely aware of what EPR is and how it could affect their relationships with customers to whom they supply packaging and labels. Groups on both sides of the EPR debate want to raise the industry’s awareness: advocates by passing laws to impose EPR requirements that no one subject to them can afford to ignore; opponents by warning printers and converters of what the intended and unintended consequences of the EPR movement can be.
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The Neuroscience of Unboxing: Why Your Customer’s Brain Remembers the Box.

Most brands think about the customer experience as everything that happens before the sale – the ad, the landing page, the checkout flow. But the science of how customers actually form memories suggests the most important moment may come after the purchase, when the box arrives. In a physical store, the end of the experience is checkout. Online, you might think checkout is the end, but it’s only the middle. The real ending is the moment your customer physically interacts with your brand – the unboxing. It's the one part of the eCommerce journey that is physical, tangible, and impossible to skim past. If that ending is a generic box and a wad of plain kraft, that's the memory your brand leaves behind. If it's a considered, branded moment, that's what the customer's brain files away – and what they reach for the next time they're deciding where to reorder.
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10 years in, ePac CEO touts success of digital printing focus

Flexible packaging specialist ePac is having what many would consider a milestone year. In January, it was acquired by private equity firm Butterfly Equity, marking the latter’s first packaging investment. In February, the company announced a $50 million, three-year agreement with HP to install more than 10 digital printing presses. San Diego-based ePac has nearly two dozen locations and announced footprint expansions across North America this year: It’s scaling operations in Atlanta, Philadelphia and Vancouver while preparing to open a new facility in Phoenix. EPac serves CPG customers, appealing to smaller and medium-sized brands that demand faster and more nimble packaging suppliers. The company strives to provide customers with quick turns of 15 days or less. Digital printing enables that speed and is a pillar of the company’s business strategy.
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Flint Group Digital Xeikon Welcomes Strategic Partnership with Xerox

Flint Group Digital Xeikon, announces a new strategic partnership with Xerox Holdings Corporation. As part of the collaboration, Xerox will offer digital presses under the Xerox brand based on Xeikon’s proven digital printing technology, enabling printers to access high-quality, high-productivity digital print solutions through Xerox’s established sales and service channels. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to helping printers respond to growing demand for shorter runs, faster turnaround times, versioning, and high-value applications in an increasingly dynamic market. By combining Xerox’s commercial reach and customer relationships with Xeikon’s digital press technology, the two companies are positioned to accelerate adoption of digital print production across a broader segment of the market.
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