Smurfit Westrock, the world’s largest paper-based packaging company, announced a multi-year agreement to become a Worldwide Partner of the Ryder Cup. This marks a meaningful milestone for Dublin-headquartered Smurfit Westrock as it celebrates the return of the Ryder Cup to Ireland alongside golf fans, players and partners. “Smurfit Westrock has always had a strong connection to golf in Ireland,” said Tony Smurfit, President and Group CEO of Smurfit Westrock. “As our Company has grown globally, our Irish roots remain deeply important. I’m thrilled for Smurfit Westrock to be part of the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in the 100th year of the event, as we showcase Ireland, Smurfit Westrock and the game of golf at its very best. We are also proud to support JP McManus and his family in bringing the Ryder Cup back, as the event holds great significance for Irish sport and the broader economy.”

Shoppers are forecast to spend a record $43.3 billion on K-12 students this year, up from $39.4 billion in 2025. Meanwhile, back-to-school shopping for college students is expected to reach $103.5 billion, exceeding $100 billion for the first time, according to an annual survey by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.In response to price-sensitive consumers’ concerns, retailers have introduced back-to-school deals well before classes begin this fall.  In June, Target debuted back-to-school offers and refreshed more than half of that inventory with new apparel, dorm decor, school supplies and other products. Earlier this month, Kohl’s promoted its own back-to-school discounts, with “thousands of products” priced below $25. This week, Walmart marked down select items to 25 cents and reduced prices on its 14 most popular school supplies to their “lowest prices since 2019.”  So far, retailers’ early sales have attracted consumers’ attention. Over half (54%) of respondents to the NRF’s survey said they bought their school supplies during sales such as Target Circle Deal Days, Walmart Deals and Amazon’s Prime Day.

A recommendation by Postmaster General David Steiner not to raise prices in January 2026 for Market Dominant products, which includes First-Class Mail, was accepted by the governors of the United States Postal Service. The price of a stamp to mail a 1-ounce single-piece First-Class letter will not increase in early 2026. “We continually strive to balance our pricing approach both to meet the revenue needs of the Postal Service and to deliver affordable offerings that reflect market conditions,” Steiner said. “We have therefore decided at this time to forgo a price change for First-Class Mail postage and other Market Dominant services until mid-year 2026.” Matt Jensen, MIDLAND Postal Affairs Manager clarifies that "Market Dominant" mail includes: first class mail, periodicals, marketing mail including catalogs, and package services. Additional clarification on included mail: Tabbed catalogs/direct mail under three ounces typically mail as a Marketing Mail letter Untabbed catalogs/direct mail under one pound typically mail as a Marketing Mail flat Heavier pieces over one pound typically mail as Package Services