Costco Wholesale Corporation Reports September Sales Results

InnerWorkings, Inc. and HH Global Group Limited announced that they have signed a definitive agreement to combine operations. Under the terms of the agreement, HH Global will acquire InnerWorkings for $3.00 per share in an all-cash transaction representing approximately $177 million in equity value. This represents a premium of 127% to the closing price, and a premium of 104% to the 90-day volume weighted average price as of July 15, 2020. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. “Over the past several months, we’ve been taking actions to put InnerWorkings in the best position to weather the challenging environment in which we’re operating,” said Rich Stoddart, Chief Executive Officer of InnerWorkings. “In these times of significant economic uncertainty, the Board of Directors and management determined to undertake a comprehensive process to preserve and enhance value for shareholders. After exploring a range of financing and strategic alternatives, and implementing meaningful cost saving measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re confident this combination represents the best path forward for our shareholders and InnerWorkings. In addition to delivering an immediate cash premium to our shareholders, the combination will create a company with a stronger balance sheet and will enhance our ability to accelerate our transformation and serve our client base.”

Books-A-Million is introducing same- and next-day delivery across its 231 locations nationwide. Leveraging the Walmart white-label GoLocal “delivery-as-a-service” platform, Books-A-Million will roll out same- and next-day delivery in the coming weeks across its 231 locations nationwide, starting with its Southeast and Midwest markets. The retailer already offers buy online, pickup in store (BOPIS) and free curbside pickup options. Customers will place an order online at booksamillion.com and select the "same-day delivery" option during checkout. The order will then be picked up by a delivery driver and dropped off at the customer's desired location. Orders placed before 3 p.m. will be delivered same-day.

Unit sales of print books fell by less than 1% in the week ended May 13, 2018, compared to the similar week in 2017, at outlets that report to NPD BookScan. Gains in nonfiction largely offset declines in fiction in the week. Units increased 4% in the adult nonfiction category over the week ended May 14, 2017, as the segment had the industry’s two biggest-selling books: Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines sold more than 171,000 copies, while The Soul of America by Jon Meacham sold nearly 39,000 copies in its first week, landing it in the second spot on both the category and overall bestseller lists. Print unit sales in juvenile nonfiction rose 7% over 2017; a number of new books helped give the segment a boost. Click Read More below for additional information.