Paper Clips Industry News | Midland Paper Packaging + Supplies

MIDLAND Announces Acquisition of Wetoska Packaging Distributors

Strategic Acquisition Strengthens MIDLAND's Position in Food Packaging and Expands Midwest Distribution Network. Midland, a leading provider of packaging, paper, and performance solutions, announced its acquisition of Wetoska Packaging Distributors, a family-owned specialist in food packaging materials and equipment based in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. This acquisition enhances Midland's capabilities in the food sector by combining Wetoska's decades of expertise with Midland's nationwide distribution footprint and will deliver greater value to customers. The acquisition aligns with Midland's growth strategy to expand its end-to-end packaging and supply chain solutions, particularly in high-demand end markets. This move will allow Midland to better serve food processors and manufacturers across the country, helping to fortify the U.S. food supply chain. Wetoska's operations will continue under the leadership of the Wetoska family, with integration efforts focused on delivering expanded products and capabilities to its customers.

H&M launches on Nordstrom’s online marketplace

For the first time ever, H&M is making its merchandise available on an online U.S. marketplace. The Swedish fast-fashion giant has launched on Nordstrom Marketplace, expanding the brand's reach. It marks the brand's first launch on a curated retail marketplace in the U.S. The platform features a selected range of specially curated H&M styles for women, men and kids, as well as the brand's sport collection, H&M Move. Styles will continue to evolve with fresh new arrivals. “Our launch on Nordstrom Marketplace marks an important step in making H&M even more accessible to customers across the U.S.," said Kate Rogowski, head of customer activation and marketing for H&M Americas.

Inkjet Summit Puts Profitability in Focus

Since its inception 14 years ago, the Inkjet Summit has stood apart as one of the most influential events dedicated exclusively to advancing production inkjet printing. Designed as an invitation-only experience, the Inkjet Summit, presented annually by PRINTING United Alliance, Printing Impressions, and In-plant Impressions, brings together senior-level printing industry executives, industry analysts, and leading solution providers for several days of high-level education, strategic discussion, and meaningful peer-to-peer engagement. This week, the event kicks off in San Antonio, Texas, place April 27-29, at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Villas.

RRD Investments in Collectibles and Games Fuels Global Growth

RRD has expanded its global capacity and end-to-end capabilities for the production of trading cards and games in North America, Asia and Europe. Fueled by multi-million dollar capital investments, RRD has…

Containerboard production charts steepest decline in years in Q1

North American containerboard production had its largest drop in years during the first quarter of 2026, according to data from the American Forest & Paper Association. Box shipments also declined, according to quarterly data from the Fibre Box Association. The more than 8% year-over-year decline in containerboard production that AF&PA reported for Q1 is the largest such drop in at least two years; the organization only has the last two years worth of its quarterly data posted publicly. This trend follows the large number of North American facility closures producers announced in 2025 that resulted in a historic, nearly 10% cut in industrywide production capacity. The last of the announced closures occurred earlier this year.

The Iran conflict sent Asia-US shipping rates soaring thousands of miles away. Here’s why.

April 28, 2026
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Spot rates on the benchmark trans-Pacific ocean shipping trade have increased by double-digits in just the past month, as the conflict in the Middle East drives downstream effects to the other side of the globe. “On U.S.-bound trades from the Far East, freight rates are still elevated from one month ago as disruption in the Middle East continues to have a cascading effect through Southeast Asian transshipment hubs,” said analyst Peter Sand of shipping platform Xeneta, in an update. “Shippers moving cargo to the U.S. via these hubs are paying the price for bottlenecks created thousands of miles away.”

Royle Printing breaks ground on 175,000 square foot expansion in May

Royle Printing, a family-owned catalog and magazine printing business, will break ground on its Success Way facility expansion in May, with a groundbreaking ceremony on May 11 at 3 p.m. The expansion will add 175,000 square feet to Royle’s existing footprint. Once completed, the expanded facility will bring together office space, production, finishing and distribution operations under one roof. “This investment reflects our long-term commitment to our customers, our employees, and the future of print,” Chris Carpenter, president and owner of Royle Printing, said in a statement. “We are experiencing strong growth, and this expansion allows us to continue delivering the high level of service, quality and innovation that our partners expect.” The Success Way expansion will support Royle’s ongoing investments in advanced press technology, finishing capabilities and integrated mailing solutions. Community members, partners, and local officials are invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony at 1750 Success Way, Sun Prairie.

3 takeaways from Walmart’s 2026 annual report

Walmart’s U.S. e-commerce business is booming and Supercenters are making a comeback, its annual report from Friday shows. The company’s growth during the 2026 fiscal year came as it continues to navigate a technological evolution in the retail industry. “We are at a pivotal moment, not just for our company, but for the industry, as artificial intelligence fundamentally reshapes how customers shop and how associates work,” Walmart CEO John Furner said in a statement. “We are harnessing its power to enhance our business, guided by our foundational values of service, excellence, respect, and integrity. In this new era, our purpose positions us to set the standard – making it a perfect time to be an omnichannel retailer dedicated to helping people save money and live better.”

Book Manufacturing Could Soon See Major Changes

A new report from the Book Manufacturers’ Institute on the state of the book industry predicts that printing is on the cusp of potential major changes. The report notes that because American book manufacturers are no longer preoccupied with meeting European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements (print products were removed from the regulations late last year), they are better positioned to integrate digital printing, AI tools, and better communication with publishers to create a more efficient manufacturing environment. One potential shift in the publisher-printer relationship could stem from publishers' growing acceptance of digital printing, as they become more willing to deviate from offset printing in order to lower costs. “Historically, purchasing has trended toward sourcing books at the lowest unit cost, which would then be printed with conventional technology and stored in inventory as needed,” the report states. “As book demand has dropped amidst digitization, publishers are now increasingly less inclined to purchase in such high volumes with inventory and disposal costs potentially negating the low unit cost savings.”

Three packaging trends every food and retail brand needs to consider

In many of my recent discussions with food and retail companies across Europe, one topic keeps coming up: the growing impact and complexity of packaging regulation. For many brands, the conversation often starts with a simple but pressing question: What will the new regulations actually cost us? 1. Packaging choices are increasingly influencing sustainability measures and costs 2. Lightweighting and material choices will play a bigger role 3. Expertise and data can drive better packaging decisions

Breaking the ‘boom-and-bust cycle’ in domestic recycled plastic markets

Ensuring PCR in more challenging packaging like food-grade flexibles pouches can be “way down the road,” said APR’s Kate Bailey. For now, there’s plenty to do on policy and secondary products. The flow of recycled content from recyclers to new packaging or products is never simple, yet in some ways 2026 feels especially complicated. In the last year or so, seven out of 30 major PET recycling facilities in the U.S. closed, wiping out 25% of domestic capacity. At the same time, in just the last few months the Iran war’s impact on oil prices has driven up the price of different virgin resin grades internationally. And all the while, new extended producer responsibility laws are still on the horizon, some of which have recycled content stipulations or incentives of their own.

Levi’s, Whole Foods Market among ‘most trustworthy’ companies in U.S.

Some retailers score better than others when it comes to being trusted by comsumers. Brands that have earned a high degree of trust among consumers are highlighted in Newsweek’s “Most Trustworthy Companies in America 2026” report. “Trust in an organization dictates the brands people select, the certainty shareholders provide, and the devotion staff maintain,” the report said. “Nevertheless, many enterprises overestimate the actual depth of this bond." The 2026 ranking includes 700 companies in 23 industries ranging from retail, travel, hospitality, leisure and food and beverages. Rankings are based on independent survey of 25,000 U.S. respondents, resulting in over 100,000 evaluations that reflected the perspectives of consumers, employees and investors. The analysis also considered online media sentiment. To see the list click on the read more link below.

Trucking sees Largest Year-Over-Year Gain since October 2022

April 26, 2026
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Trucking activity in the United States rose 0.3% in March after surging 2.9% in February, according to the American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index. “While March wasn’t particularly strong sequentially, it was the largest year-over-year increase since October 2022,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “The first quarter of 2026 was also the best performance since the third quarter of 2017 when considering both sequential and year-over-year results.”

Xeikon Innovation Days 2026: Marking a New Chapter Under Flint Group Packaging Solutions

Flint Group Digital Xeikon announced the return of Xeikon Innovation Days, taking place 9–10 June 2026 at its Global Innovation Center in Lier, Belgium, and one week later, on 16-18 June, at the Chicago Innovation Center in Elgin, Illinois. Under the umbrella theme “Print. Smarter. Together.”, the event will bring together customers, prospects and partners for an extensive programme of live demos, customer conversations, application showcases and hands-on experiences designed to accelerate decision-making in digital label and packaging production.

California bills propose compostables restrictions

Two bills in California that could change how compostable packaging is defined or labeled passed in committees last week. SB 1031, backed by state Sen. Catherine Blakespear, aims to more clearly distinguish compostable products and packaging from non-compostable alternatives, and calls for further study of the potential health impacts of degraded compostable plastics and related chemical additives. It also seeks to restrict “compostable except in California” labeling that has cropped up on some products. AB 1812, backed by Assembly Member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, aims to restrict “compostable” or “home compostable” labeling for products made wholly or partially of plastic.

‘It’s like getting Taylor Swift tickets’: Brands rush to request tariff refunds, with some snags

The second that U.S. Customs and Border Protection opened its tariff refund portal at 8 a.m. ET on April 20, tens of thousands of business owners and customs brokers hurried to submit their information. For some, the site crashed; for others, their entries received an error alert. Those who did get through breathed a sigh of relief. “Everybody was anxious to press the button as quickly as they could,” said Rick Woldenberg, the CEO of the educational toy company Learning Resources Inc., who submitted a request for $10 million in refunds. “It’s like getting Taylor Swift tickets.”

Consumers are down, yet retail sales keep going up. How long can this last?

Consumer confidence has been on the wane all year, and economic realities aren’t helping much. Yet retailers just wrapped up the month, and the first quarter, with surprising strength. In March, consumer sentiment hit a new low as inflation rose — the highest spike in four years — as the Iran war took a toll on energy supplies and people’s nerves. In the mostly discretionary segments covered by Retail Dive, though, retail sales surged more than 8%, with gains in most categories. That came on top of a nearly 5% increase in February and a nearly 6% increase in January. “Overall, a solid March rounds off a good start to the year for retail,” GlobalData Managing Director Neil Saunders said in emailed comments. But he warned that economic storm clouds are gathering, and the numbers aren’t all that they seem.

Key Currency Exchange Rates

April 23, 2026
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AAA Fuel Gauge Report

April 23, 2026
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Sustana earns EcoVadis Gold for third consecutive year

Sustana has been awarded the EcoVadis Gold Medal for a third consecutive year. The company earned a score of 82, placing it in the top 5% of companies assessed by EcoVadis and within the top 3% overall. Since completing its first EcoVadis assessment three years ago, Sustana has improved its score from 72 to 82—earning a Gold medal in each of the past three assessments and reflecting steady progress across all four categories. In 2025, the company expanded transparency through enhanced public disclosures, introduced additional performance indicators to track progress, and strengthened internal processes aligned with EcoVadis criteria.

Book Manufacturers’ Institute Publishes 2026 State of the Book Industry Report

The Book Manufacturers’ Institute (BMI) is pleased to announce the publication of the 2026 State of the Book Industry Report. This comprehensive report, produced in partnership with Alliance Insights, the research division of PRINTING United Alliance, examines the economic, technological, regulatory, and market forces shaping the book manufacturing industry in 2026. The report draws on industry surveys, in-depth stakeholder interviews, and data from leading economic and market research sources. BMI members can access the full report as part of their membership. Executive summaries are available to interested parties in the broader print and publishing sectors by contacting BMI directly.

Microsoft’s Buying Pause Raises New Questions for CDR Market Advances

The carbon dioxide removal (CDR) market is moving in two very different directions at once. On one side, industry efforts to build clearer standards and reporting frameworks continue to gain momentum. On the other, Microsoft, the single largest buyer of CDR certificates to date, has reportedly paused new purchases. The stop has caused significant uncertainty for project developers and the broader voluntary market. Together, these developments highlight an important tension in CDR today. While the market is becoming more structured, its strongest source of demand may be stepping back, at least for now.

Mondi opens new paper bags plant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, has officially opened its new packaging production facility in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, further expanding its manufacturing capabilities in the United States to better support customers with reliable, high-quality paper based packaging solutions across key end markets. The new state‑of‑the‑art plant produces a wide range of paper bags for customers in the eCommerce, food, feed, building materials and chemicals sectors. The facility brings together production previously located at Mondi’s Wellsburg, West Virginia and Oakdale, Pennsylvania sites, while adding advanced, highly automated technology to enhance efficiency, quality and customer service. The Pittsburgh plant significantly expands Mondi’s production capacity in the US, with a particular focus on the fast-growing eCommerce sector, including innovative paper mailer bags. Highly automated production lines and advanced printing capabilities are designed to meet key eCommerce customer requirements.

Five ways you can help save the environment this Mother Earth Day

It is easy to get discouraged by the state of the planet. Humanity is breaking all the wrong records on global warming. Fragile ecosystems face enormous pressure. Dirty air and chemical pollution threaten our land, ocean and health.  But International Mother Earth Day, on 22 April, is a reminder that there is a lot we can do as individuals to tackle environmental crises like climate change, nature, land and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. 1. Revive the ecosystems that sustain us 2. Make some noise about climate change 3. Conquer the global mountain of plastic 4. Banish dirty air from the skies 5. Get tree planting right

Tariff refunds start —but average consumers won’t benefit

The Trump administration on Monday began accepting requests for tariff refunds, after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s tariff policy earlier this year, but some analysts warned Americans likely won’t see lower costs as a result. Only an importer of record—the entity that officially paid the tariffs—can request refunds, though some legal analysts have criticized the process as only a few businesses publicly committed to sharing the proceeds, and many firms would benefit from the refunds despite asking consumers to pay higher prices brought on by the tariffs.

Containerboard prices rise in April for second consecutive month

Fastmarkets RISI recognized another bump that brings producers closer to achieving the $70 per ton hikes they announced earlier this year. “While demand appears to be improving, contacts largely attributed this month’s incremental increase to cost pressures, particularly related to the Iran conflict including chemicals, OCC, fuel, and energy,” Michael Roxland, senior paper and packaging analyst at Truist Securities, said in an April 19 note to investors about the Fastmarkets RISI data release. “Moreover, some contacts anticipate difficulty sustaining current pricing on supply conditions alone if demand does not meaningfully move higher.”

Total U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Shipments Increased 7% in March 2026

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the March 2026 Packaging Papers Monthly report. According to the report, total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in March increased 7% compared to March 2025. They were up 3% when compared to the same 3 months of 2025. Total unbleached packaging paper shipments in March were at their highest level in over 2 years, with an operating rate that exceeded 90%.

Total U.S. Printing-Writing Paper Shipments Decreased 7% in March 2026

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the March 2026 Printing-Writing Monthly report. According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 7% in March compared to March 2025. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels in March decreased 1% when compared to February 2026. Using the latest available U.S. Census Bureau trade data, February purchases of total printing writing papers decreased 3% compared to the same month last year.

Konica Minolta Launches AccurioWide 320HS

Konica Minolta is pleased to announce the official launch of its new high-speed line of hybrid UV LED wide-format printers. Leading the new series is the AccurioWide 320HS, offering a print width of up to 126" (3.2 meters), UV LED curing and a robust six‑color plus white ink configuration for vibrant, high‑impact applications. Delivering the fastest speeds in the AccurioWide product family, the AccurioWide 320HS prints up to 22 4'x8' boards per hour in production mode, and up to 43 boards per hour in express mode.

2025 Printing Impressions 300

Celebrate more than four decades of outstanding achievements in the printing sector with the special 42nd edition of the 2025 Printing Impressions 300 ranking! Compiled by the editors at Printing Impressions, this edition showcases the largest printing companies in the United States and Canada and features comprehensive insights into the industry's key players.

Why Allbirds is eating crow

The DTC footwear brand may have overestimated its customers’ appreciation for sustainability, and underappreciated their desire for fashion. A key Allbirds differentiator is its use of innovative materials, made from recycled and natural sources. But the company may not have appreciated that even the consumers laser-focused on the environment would want more. “Indeed, sustainability comes way down the batting order behind factors like style, price and comfort,” Saunders said. “Allbirds could have leaned into any of these things alongside its green credentials but largely chose not to do so.” Anyone looking closely at Allbirds’ supply chain may have quibbled with its claims, given the carbon footprint, according to Matt Powell, senior adviser with BCE Consulting. Even if the supply chain were squeaky clean, though, the brand would have needed the right merchandise.

RYAM CEO Resigns; Committee Begins Strategic Review of Alternatives for the Business

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. ("RYAM" or the "Company") announced that the Company is engaged in a formal process to explore strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. In connection with the strategic alternatives review The strategic review will consider a range of potential strategic, business and financial alternatives, which may include, among other things, a sale of all or part of the Company, a strategic investment, a merger or other business combination, or other strategic or financial alternatives, as well as continuing to execute on the Company's standalone strategic plan.

Kruger Energy Begins Construction of 196 MW Wind Farm

Kruger Energy has begun construction of the Saint-Paul-de-Montminy wind farm in Quebec, a project with an installed capacity of 196 MW and an investment of more than $580 million. The facility is being developed across the municipalities of Saint-Paul-de-Montminy, Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire and Sainte-Apolline-de-Patton and is expected to begin operations in December 2027. The project is being carried out in partnership with the Alliance de l’énergie de l’Est and Potentia Renewables. Following the completion of regulatory approvals, construction activities have entered the implementation phase.

Graphic Packaging International launches restructuring, layoffs

Graphic Packaging International announced layoffs this week as part of a company restructuring, according to sources with knowledge of company operations and dozens of social media posts from former employees. According to the posts from departing employees, layoffs are immediate and occurring in various locations across the country, including in Georgia, Louisiana and Michigan. Roles include human resources and other corporate positions, including at company headquarters in Atlanta, as well as various operations positions in Louisiana and elsewhere. Graphic Packaging International said it declined to comment at this time.

Three Rural Alabama Hospitals Benefit from $500K Georgia-Pacific Donation

In the midst of widespread funding shortfalls for most rural Alabama hospitals, Georgia-Pacific operations in Escambia and Monroe counties are helping hospitals there with a much-needed funding boost. Georgia-Pacific’s Brewton Containerboard and Alabama River Cellulose facilities donated a total of $500,000 to three rural hospitals in Alabama. The funding will help local hospitals provide critical health services to the community.

Colorado mass balance debate underscores industry faultlines

The American Chemistry Council this year voluntarily withdrew a lawsuit in Colorado regarding mass balance allocation methods in the state’s extended producer responsibility for packaging program plan. But the wider debate about what counts as recycled content is far from at rest. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the defendant in the lawsuit, “will have further discussions this summer” about the excluded methodologies, according to an emailed

International Paper to Acquire North Pacific Paper Company

International Paper, a leader in sustainable packaging solutions, has entered into an agreement to acquire North Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC), a portfolio company of One Rock Capital Partners, for $360MM. NORPAC is a U.S.-based paper manufacturer operating out of Longview, Washington. The company employs approximately 500 people at its paper mill, where it operates three industry-leading machines that produce approximately one million tons of containerboard and other grades annually. The facility will complement IP's existing mill system, increasing system flexibility, reducing costs and expanding capabilities to support growing customer demand for lightweight, high-performance recycled containerboard.

UPM and Felix Schoeller introduce customizable, fibre-based solution for flexible food packaging

UPM Specialty Materials and Felix Schoeller, a specialty paper manufacturer, have developed a customizable recyclable* barrier solution designed specifically for flexible food packaging, such as chocolate and snack bars. In response to the growing demand for recyclable packaging, this food-safe, fibre-based solution supports the packaging industry’s transition toward upcoming recyclability requirements under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). * Recyclability is assessed using the standard CEPI version 3 (Feb. 2025) and evaluated according to 4evergreen evaluation protocol scorecard version 2.0 (Jan. 2025).

Ecostrat and BMI Group Launch Collaboration to Accelerate Conversion of Legacy Pulp & Paper Assets into Biorefineries

Ecostrat and BMI Group recently announced a collaboration to leverage BDO Zone Ratings to 'ready-state' BMI's legacy pulp and paper assets across Canada for next-generation investment in the bioeconomy. The collaboration will use BDO Zone Ratings to advance the development of multi-product biorefinery platforms capable of producing biofuels, renewable chemicals, biogas, engineered wood products, including mass timber, and other advanced manufacturing technologies at BMI properties. BMI Group has acquired a portfolio of nine former pulp and paper mill sites across Canada with the intention of repurposing them for new industrial uses.

Key Currency Exchange Rates

April 16, 2026
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AAA Fuel Gauge Report

April 16, 2026
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Sappi North America Introduces LusterFSB OGR, a Grease Resistant Food Service Board Designed for Compostability

Sappi North America has launched LusterFSB OGR, a new oil and grease resistant (OGR) solid bleached sulfate (SBS) food service board available in 12 to 20 pt calipers. This barrier technology delivers medium oil and grease resistance without polyethylene film, making it a recyclable and home-compostable alternative. It is purpose-built for quick service, takeout, and bakery applications where thick poly coating is more than the job requires. LusterFSB OGR is recyclable and designed to be home compostable, the most practical end-of-life path for grease-soiled food packaging. Its fully SBS-based construction means converter scrap and offcuts can be baled with standard SBS, eliminating the special segregation requirements that come with poly-lined alternatives and reducing plastic use in line with retailer and consumer sustainability expectations.

Vuori names first chief product officer

A Southern California-inspired activewear brand has made a new C-suite appointment. Vuori has named Heather Archibald as its new chief product officer, effective Monday, April 20. In the newly-created role, she will lead end-to-end product organization and oversee the lifecycle of the product portfolio from design and development to merchandising, raw material planning, production and sourcing strategy.

Average March volume was actually good news for the Port of Los Angeles

April 15, 2026
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March imports were weaker year-on-year but the busiest U.S. container port still managed to play up to the back of its baseball card. The Port of Los Angeles handled 752,520 twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) in March, off 3% from the same month a year ago as geopolitics and economic uncertainty overshadowed the beginning of the months-long run-up to the peak shipping season. “Even with the seasonal slowdown tied to Lunar New Year, cargo flow in March was solid and our first quarter performance was consistent with our five-year trend,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka, in a media briefing.

Kimberly-Clark Announces Post-Closing Organizational Structure and Identifies Key Leadership

Kimberly-Clark announced the organizational structure and key leadership that will become effective upon completion of its pending acquisition of Kenvue Inc. Kimberly-Clark and Kenvue first announced the $48.7 billion deal on Nov. 5, 2025. Some of Kenvue's well-known brands include Tylenol, Aveeno, BAND-AID Brand, Johnson's, Listerine and Neutrogena. After close, the combined company will operate with four business segments, each driving a focus on winning in its local markets. The transaction remains on track to close in the second half of 2026, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other remaining customary closing conditions.

Merged UP-NS would control half of all rail freight: BNSF CEO

April 15, 2026
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The proposed coast-to-coast merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern is bad for the industry, a rival CEO warned, and would give the transcontinental behemoth a dominant 50% share of all U.S. rail freight. “We’ve had lots of opportunities to be very clear that we’re opposed to this merger, and we don’t think it’s good for the industry,” said Katie Farmer, chief executive of BNSF Railway. “Make no mistake, this is a consolidation of almost 50% of all the rail volume…to one road. When you consolidate 50% of all rail volume that moves under one carrier, you eliminate, or significantly reduce, flexibility for customers, optionality, and ultimately there’s going to be fewer interchange points. You have one railroad that is looking to optimize their network, and based on what’s happened in the past, that is not always good for customers.”

JScmid: AI Is About to Expose Who Actually Has Ideas

The value was never in the tools; it was in the thinking. Will AI replace creative teams? The real answer is much more interesting. AI won’t replace creativity. It will separate real creativity from the kind that only looked good because the process was slow. For decades, creative work had a natural protection: time. It took days to mock up ideas. Weeks to explore concepts. Months to produce campaigns. That friction often hid average thinking. AI removes that friction. Now, anyone can generate headlines, visuals, and concepts in seconds. Which means the easy ideas, the obvious ones, are suddenly everywhere. And when everyone can produce average work instantly, average becomes worthless. That’s the real shift.

USPS Postage Increases Go Into Effect July 12th

The United States Postal Service has officially filed its latest rate case with the Postal Regulatory Commission, with proposed changes set to take effect July 12, 2026. For marketers, publishers, and brands that rely on direct mail, catalogs, and magazines, this isn’t just a routine update—it’s a moment to reassess strategy, optimize production, and find new efficiencies. The proposed increases vary by mail class, but most Marketing Mail programs will see increases in the 5–6.5% range for commercial mailings.

Print Isn’t Dead, It’s Getting More Interesting

For years, the loudest voices in marketing insisted that print was fading into irrelevance. But step back from the noise, and a different story emerges. Print isn’t dying, it’s evolving. It’s becoming more intentional, more experiential, and more valuable than ever. In fact, some of the most innovative ideas in media today are happening on paper. Take Red Bull’s recent stunt: a magazine cover embedded with a playable Tetris game. It’s wild, unexpected, and a perfect example of how print can surprise people in ways digital never could. But that’s just one expression of a much bigger shift. Across the industry, brands are rediscovering print as a medium that can delight, immerse, and connect precisely because it’s physical. Read more in the link below.

Man charged with arson in California warehouse fire likened himself to Luigi Mangione

April 14, 2026
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The man accused of setting fire to a California warehouse likened himself to Luigi Mangione after allegedly lighting multiple fires in the name of anti-capitalism. The warehouse, about 40 miles east of Los Angeles and owned by the consumer goods company Kimberly-Clark Corp, was set ablaze last Tuesday. Twenty employees were inside the facility when the fire was set, but no one was harmed. Abdulkarim is an employee of NFI Industries — a third-party distributor for Kimberly-Clark Corp. He is accused of intentionally starting multiple fires at the 1.2 million-square-foot warehouse. In California, aggravated arson is applicable to a crime when the damage from the fire exceeds $10.1 million, and carries a penalty of ten years to life. Based on initial estimates, the paper products were worth $500 million and the building was worth $150 million.

The next era of Canva

In just a few days, we’ll mark what we believe will be the most significant moment in Canva’s history as we unveil a major step forward in how the world creates. We can’t wait to see 6,000 of you at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and millions more joining from around the world to share it with us. Looking back, it was only a decade ago that design was limited to a privileged few. Even the simplest task meant navigating a maze of complex and disconnected tools. You had to use one tool to find a template, another to source founts, another to design and animate, another to publish and print... and on, and on. Each tool had its own interface, its own learning curve, and its own file format that couldn’t work with anything else. We believed there was a better way, so we set out to bring everything you need to design into one platform, making it simple and accessible to the world. Today, we’re incredibly proud to be empowering more than a quarter of a billion people across 190 countries to create with Canva. What started as a crazy big dream has become the default way hundreds of millions of people bring their ideas to life.

‘It’s killing everything.’ California’s truckers are buckling under country’s priciest diesel

April 13, 2026
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Record diesel prices are crushing California's truckers, forcing them to adjust to avoid losses as they grapple with the most expensive pump prices in the country. Greg Dubuque's 40 drivers are in a constant diesel-devouring loop. Their big rigs pick up loads of electronics, office furniture and other goods around Los Angeles. They drive close to 1,000 miles through the Mojave Desert and over the Rocky Mountains to Denver. They bring back containers full of everything from pinto beans to home remodeling products. One tank of gas for his vehicles cost $600 a couple of months ago. Today it costs $1,000. That's a record high and more than 35% above the country's average. “California sets itself apart from the rest of the country when it comes to pricing," said Dubuque, a third-generation trucker and general manager of Liberty Linehaul West. "Now it’s really out of control.” The average price of a gallon of diesel in California got close to $7.75 this week, up 50% from a month ago, according to the American Automobile Assn. The national average of diesel is closer to $5.65 at recent peaks.

Plastic justice gap exposed as US recycling access favors wealthier communities, study finds

A recent study has found that wealthier, more educated US communities recycle more packaging due to better access to nearby recycling infrastructure. Plastic waste generation is similar across regions, yet plastic recycling rates differ due to unequal infrastructure distribution, according to researchers. Policies in the US, like Bottle Bills, can double recycling rates, highlighting the need for expanded regulatory measures. A study from the University at Buffalo (UB), US, found that communities with higher income levels and higher education attainment are more likely to recycle items such as soda bottles, takeout containers, and other plastic packaging. John Atkinson, associate professor in the UB Department of Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering, tells Packaging Insights: “Our work shows that there are many underserved areas that should be elevated in priority for recycling infrastructure.”

Where producers’ EPR money is going in Oregon

When the Oregon community of The Dalles rolled out 5,000 new 96-gallon recycling carts at the end of March, it became the first in the state to pay for that improvement using funding directly from packaging producers under Oregon’s EPR for packaging law. Circular Action Alliance, the state’s producer responsibility organization, projects spending around $123 million for local recycling improvement projects through 2027. The EPR program requires brands and companies that supply packaging and paper products to help fund recycling system improvements. CAA’s EPR program plan has mapped out how the PRO expects to disburse recycling infrastructure funding to communities through 2027, prioritizing local governments that “are not, or will not be, able to provide the opportunity to recycle,” without funding for upgrades, according to CAA’s program plan.

So, so sweet in Chicago!

“We CHEWS you, Chi!” Those four words emanating from The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) put sweet smiles on the faces of all Chicagoans, knowing that their town had been selected as the permanent home of the Candy Hall of Fame Experience. Chicago triumphed over fellow finalists New York and Orlando to land the planned 60,000-sq.-ft. HOF that will honor—not Babe—but Baby Ruth. “For more than a century, Chicago has been home to some of the most iconic names in American candy, including Ferrara, Mars, Brach’s, Tootsie and Wrigley,” said Shelly Clarey, Chairman of the NCSA. “Establishing the Candy Hall of Fame Experience here reflects the city’s deep connection to the industry and creates a home to celebrate the people who helped build it.

Andy Jassy defends Amazon’s $200B AI investment in letter to shareholders

The e-commerce giant’s CEO noted the dominance of brick-and-mortar retail despite decades of disruption, but sees that as a massive opportunity. “We’re not investing approximately $200 billion in capex in 2026 on a hunch,” Jassy wrote. Closer to retail, Jassy reiterated the company’s investments in rural America, saying “we understand that rural customers are often de-prioritized by logistics and telecom providers because remote communities are more expensive to serve.” “While other companies have been backing away from these customers, we’ve been running to them,” he said. “We’ve committed over $4 billion to expand our rural delivery network.” “Our retail business is now approaching $600 billion in topline, yet roughly 80% of global retail sales still happens in physical stores,” he said. “That will change.”

Consumer sentiment hits record low amid fears over Iran war impact

Consumer sentiment plunged in early April to the lowest level ever recorded in the more than 70-year history of the University of Michigan’s survey. The Index of Consumer Sentiment’s preliminary reading for April fell to 47.6, down 10.7% from March, extending a decline that began with the start of the Iran conflict. Year-ahead inflation expectations rose to 4.8% this month from 3.8% in March. Comments show that many consumers blame the Iran conflict for unfavorable changes to the economy, according to Joanne Hsu, director, surveys of consumers.

Quad issues temporary surcharge on select printing products due to rising ink costs

Quad/Graphics, announced on Friday, it is enacting an immediate, temporary surcharge on its printing inks, UV coating and varnishes to help offset increasing costs impacting its ink manufacturing subsidiary Chemical Research/Technology (CR/T). Key cost drivers include higher oil and gas prices, which are critical inputs for ink production; elevated transportation costs due to fuel increases and shipping disruptions; and rising energy expenses across the ink manufacturing process. Related product categories, including coatings, adhesives and specialty fluids, are also experiencing similar cost pressures.

Clearwater Paper Reduces SBS Production at its Arkansas Facility

Clearwater Paper announced the restructuring of its Cypress Bend, Arkansas facility, resulting in the reduction of approximately 20% of salaried and hourly roles at the facility. The company plans to operate the facility at about half of its production capability. "We are faced with a supply driven downturn in our industry that is pressing margins and cash flows. We've made this difficult decision to improve our operating rates and reduce costs," said Arsen Kitch, president and chief executive officer. Clearwater Paper has an installed capacity of about 1.4 million tons of SBS across 3 mills and 5 paper machines: Lewiston, Idaho; Cypress Bend, Arkansas; and Augusta, Georgia.

REI Co-op Honors the Legacy of Jim Whittaker, Everest Mountaineering Legend and Former CEO

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jim Whittaker. Jim will be remembered as a true trailblazer and generous leader, and as one of the most important voices in the history of our co-op and the outdoor community. Jim showed the world what’s possible when courage is grounded in purpose. When he became the first American to summit Mount Everest on May 1, 1963, alongside Nawang Gombu Sherpa, he expanded our sense of what exploration can be. The achievement brought national recognition and helped carry REI into a new era. For REI, Jim’s legacy is at our very core. Hired in 1955 by REI Co-op co-founder Lloyd Anderson as our first full-time paid employee, Jim was an early leader and went on to serve as the second CEO from 1971 to 1979. During his tenure, he helped shape a co-op rooted in stewardship, humility, and a belief that time outside should be shared widely and protected fiercely. Under his leadership, membership grew from just under 250,000 to more than 900,000 at the time of his retirement.

USPS begins cash conservation plan

The Postal Service has informed the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) of its intention to temporarily suspend its employer’s contributions for the defined benefit portion of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to conserve cash and preserve liquidity due to its ongoing, severe financial crisis. “There will not be any immediate detrimental impact to our current or future retirees if normal FERS cost payments are temporarily withheld,” said Postal Service Chief Financial Officer Luke Grossmann. The Postal Service pays about $200 million every other week to OPM for the FERS annuity. Suspension of payments, effective April 10, will free about $2.5 billion in the current fiscal year.

AF&PA Disappointed Following Court Decision on Oregon EPR Litigation

"We are disappointed by the court's decision denying our motion to join the challenge to Oregon's Recycling Modernization Act. While we respectfully disagree with the ruling, AF&PA remains fully committed to pursuing all available legal and strategic options to protect our members' interests. "As Oregon's program moves into implementation, it is becoming clear that the law imposes significant and unnecessary burdens on paper products that are already among the most successfully recycled materials in the United States.

AAA Fuel Gauge Report

April 9, 2026
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Key Currency Exchange Rates

April 9, 2026
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Consumer goods prices slightly decline in March after brief uptick

In good news for shoppers, a bump in the cost of consumer goods reversed course in March 2026. Prices for everyday household purchases decreased 0.02% in March 2026 following a 0.19% increase in February and a 0.33% decrease in January. The monthly Numerator Consumer Goods Price Index (CGPI) also indicates that prices for everyday goods are up 2% compared to March 2025.A similar trend is expected for the comparable categories covered in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ upcoming Consumer Price Index (CPI) release.

Design Packaging for Easier Recovery & Recycling

You can design packaging for recovery and recycling, but you still must address consumer education and infrastructure improvements. Designing packaging for recovery and recycling remains a critical challenge in the packaging industry. In a thought-provoking discussion, Matthew Rogerson, principal consultant at The Pack Scout, highlights the misalignment between packaging design and recycling infrastructure. Rogerson explains that while many packages are designed with recyclability in mind, the lack of proper infrastructure and consumer education often prevents them from being recovered effectively. Rogerson references a report by The Recycling Partnership, which revealed that only 22% of recyclable materials in the United States actually make it to recycling facilities.

AF&PA can’t join NAW’s Oregon EPR lawsuit, judge rules

An Oregon judge offered new clarity this past week on who is temporarily exempt from enforcement of the state’s extended producer responsibility for packaging law, and imposed limits on other…

ACMA expects the US Postal Service to announce rate change this coming Thursday afternoon.

We expect the US Postal Service to file for an across-the-board rate change in monopoly postal products with the Postal Regulatory Commission this coming Thursday afternoon. Rate hikes are expected to average about 5%. Upon PRC approval, you can expect a July 12th implementation date.

US invests US$144M to measure microplastics health risks and remove them from body

A US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agency has launched a nationwide US$144 million microplastics research program. It aims to create a toolbox for measuring, researching, and affordably removing microplastics and nanoplastics from the human body. The STOMP program (Systematic Targeting Of MicroPlastics) from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) will uncover how microplastics from food, air, and water build up in the body and protect people from their potential health impact.

International Paper Insights March 2026

Energy costs are rising and geopolitical uncertainty is adding pressure to an already cautious economic environment. Gasoline and distillate prices have spiked to their highest level since 2022, though with energy goods accounting for just 2% of household spending, consumer exposure remains limited. Historical patterns suggest oil-driven inflation spikes tend to be temporary. For packaging, corrugated volumes continue to run below prior year levels as demand stays measured.

Managing Stretch Film Costs in a High-Price Market

The price of polyethylene (PE) is rising. Drastically. After years marked by oversupply and softer demand for PE, the market is now facing sharp, rapid price increases – with more increases on the horizon. For operations that rely heavily on stretch film, these increases can quickly turn into six- or seven-figure cost overruns. But rising material prices don’t have to mean rising spend, at least in your stretch wrapping operation. Atlantic Packaging’s MUST Stretch Film Management System was built for moments like this. Its designed to help manufacturers and distributors stay ahead of market swings by optimizing how much film they use, how their equipment performs, and how their stretch wrapping systems are managed day to day. At a time when packaging costs are climbing by 30% or more, MUST can help offset those increases by attacking the real driver of spend: usage inefficiency.

Flint Group undergoes rebrand to reflect its commitment to the Packaging industry

Flint Group, a global leader in inks, coatings, digital printing equipment, and service solutions for packaging, announces its rebrand to Flint Group Packaging Solutions. This rebrand reflects an important step in the company’s strategic evolution, reinforcing its commitment to the growing and diverse packaging sector. Pepyn Dinandt, CEO Flint Group Packaging Solutions, said: “We are seeing a market evolution across substrates, packaging formats, and coatings to enhance recyclability while replacing complex structures. As a true platform supplier, we are committed to leading with innovation, sustainability, and service, delivering solutions that meet the needs of packaging printers and brand owners today and in the future.”

Amazon strikes deal with USPS that maintains 80% of package volume

Amazon.com announced it reached a new agreement with the U.S. Postal Service on package deliveries, and sources said the cash-strapped mail system would retain about 80% of its ‌existing deliveries from its biggest customer. That 20% cut is a dramatically better outcome for the postal agency than the two-thirds or larger reduction that Reuters reported last month Amazon had threatened. USPS has a roughly $80 billion budget, and Amazon represented $6 billion in annual revenue to the agency, according to two people familiar with the business arrangement. "We're pleased to have reached a new agreement with USPS that furthers our longstanding partnership and will let us continue supporting our customers and communities together," Amazon said in a statement.

Store Expansion News: March update

Retailers and restaurants alike made headlines in March with store expansion plans and new formats. Here are the major stories as reported by Chain Store Age, starting with the most recent. CVS opens first of nearly 20 pharmacy-only stores planned for 2026 Five Below sales, earnings surge as comps jump 15.4%; to open 150 stores Bob's Discount Furniture targets 500-plus stores by 2035 Dollar Tree Q4 sales up 9%, traffic falls; to open 400 stores Costco tops estimates; eyes 28 new openings, with 30-plus in ‘coming years’ Marco's Pizza eyes 80-plus new stores for 2026

Gap feels confident about inventory levels, tariff mitigation

Gap expected last year’s tariff-related mitigation measures to pay off in 2026. In November, the company touted efforts such as sourcing and production adjustments as well as targeted price hikes. In its most recent quarter, the retailer said it managed import-duty pressures and expects continued improvement in the upcoming quarters. Gap expects a net neutral impact in 2026 from tariffs.

PCA to Close Corrugated Packaging Plant in Richmond, Virginia

Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) in a WARN letter to the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement said that PCA will permanently close its corrugated packaging plant at 2000 Richmond Highway in Richmond. The Union has been notified in writing of the decision and bargaining unit employees have also been made aware of the decision. It is estimated that the total number of employees affected by this business decision is 110.

Metal tariff adjustments aren’t a win for packaging, trade groups say

For months, canmakers have been advocating for changes to Section 232 tariffs on metal imports. But newly announced adjustments that take effect Monday aren’t what they were looking for. A previous 50% tariff will remain on goods made almost entirely of aluminum, steel or copper, while the levy will be lowered to 25% for derivative products “substantially made” from those metals. The tariffs will no longer apply to items that include 15% or less of these metals. Going forward, additional derivative goods will be evaluated on a rolling basis. The Brewers Association, which represents craft beer brewers that heavily sell their products in cans, also spoke out against the Trump administration’s approach. “Already strained packaging processes will continue to be impacted,” wrote Brewers Association Federal Affairs Manager Michael Mohr-Ramirez, noting that aluminum sheet, foil and containers used in members’ packaging will all be subject to the 50% rate.

Done Deal: Starbucks closes $4 billion China joint venture; to expand footprint

Starbucks Coffee Company has finalized its joint venture with private investment firm Boyu Capital, selling control of its China operations, the coffee giant’s second-largest business. Under the terms of the agreement, which was announced in November and has a value of about $4 billion, Boyu and Starbucks will operate a joint venture, with Boyu holding up to 60% interest and operating the approximately 8,000 Starbucks stores in China. Starbucks will retain a 40% interest in the joint venture and will continue to own and license the brand and intellectual property to the new entity.

Amazon to apply 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge on fulfillment

April 5, 2026
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Amazon is joining the list of major logistics providers that are hitting shippers with price hikes and elevated surcharges as fuel costs rise amid the war in Iran. UPS and FedEx’s fuel surcharge rates continue to climb, and the U.S. Postal Service plans to launch an 8% temporary price hike on package shipping services April 26. “We have absorbed these increased costs so far,” Amazon said in its announcement. “However, similar to other major carriers, when costs remain elevated, we implement temporary surcharges on our fulfillment fees to recover a portion of the actual cost increases we are experiencing.”

Packaging Synergy is Strong with the McCormick & Unilever Foods Merger

The McCormick-Unilever Foods merger signals good news for future packaging breakthroughs that could help invigorate the food industry. On March 31, 2026, flavor king McCormick announced that it will merge with Unilever’s Foods Business, creating a powerhouse food and foodservice company with a projected $20 billion in combined revenue for fiscal year 2025. From a packaging and corporate culture perspective, we see this combination as a good fit, unlike the rocky Heinz and Kraft Foods merger, which struggled with cultural misalignment and prioritized cost-cutting over innovation. Both McCormick and Unilever Foods are leaders in packaging innovation and sustainability, with shared goals of achieving circularity and reducing environmental impact. Both value packaging innovation in several areas: new materials, functional designs, and production improvements.

Strait of Hormuz closure pushes Asia-US ocean rates up 29%

April 5, 2026
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The effects of the Iran war are being felt across the global supply chain, as container rates rise sharply on vital headhaul trade routes including to the United States, an analyst said. “Five weeks into the Strait of Hormuz closure and spot rates on every major east-west trade lane have risen sharply, showing this is a conflict with global repercussions for ocean supply chains,” said Peter Sand, Xeneta chief analyst. “No shipper is insulated from financial or operational risk. Far East to U.S. West Coast – a trade which transits the Pacific thousands of miles from the epicenter of conflict – has seen spot rates climb 29% since the end of February.”

Box Boss Hood Container Grabs Nearly 392,000 Square Feet Near Midway

Hood Container Corporation is beefing up its footprint on Chicago's Southwest Side, signing two industrial leases totaling about 391,560 square feet at 5750–5800 West 51st Street. The packaging manufacturer is spreading out across multiple warehouses in the Garfield Ridge and Bedford Park industrial corridor near I‑55 and Midway Airport. Chicago’s logistics scene is still defined by big single‑user industrial commitments. Colliers reported that the region logged 10.7 million square feet of new leases in Q2 2025, the highest quarterly total since early 2023. That level of tenant demand helps explain why packaging and manufacturing players keep zeroing in on sites near highways and airports, a trend that is likely to keep the I‑55 and Midway corridor firmly on occupiers’ shortlists.

Survey: Consumers trading down, consolidating trips because of fuel costs

Rapidly rising fuel prices are already having an impact on consumer spending. According to new data from loyalty marketing technology provider Snipp Interactive, 31% of consumers said gas price increases have "significantly" or "extremely" impacted their household budget, while only 13% said they felt no impact at all. When asked which spending categories they had cut, dining out led all responses at 63%. Clothing (44.7%), entertainment (43.2%) and travel (38.9%) were the next most common answers. Nearly 36% of consumers said they had reduced grocery spending by trading down or buying less.

Tetra Pak expands F&B packaging capabilities at Texas headquarters

Tetra Pak is upgrading its Product Development Center (PDC) at its US and Canada headquarters in Denton, Texas. With the investment, the global food packaging and processing company aims to support F&B brands in creating, formulating, launching, and scaling innovative products.

Sappi North America Announces Graphic Price Increase

Market dynamics continue to create significant cost pressures across our business. After careful evaluation, Sappi North America is implementing a transactional and list price increase of 6% on new and unconfirmed Graphics orders for the following sheet and web products, effective immediately: McCoy Opus Somerset Flo Euroart Galerie Private Label These increases apply to all weights and finishes, and standard differentials and upcharges will remain in effect.

AAA Fuel Gauge Report

April 2, 2026
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Key Currency Exchange Rates

April 2, 2026
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A Special Guest at the ND Paper-Biron Mill

We were honored to welcome John Miller, Secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, to our Biron Mill this month. Mill Manager Steve Raczek led the visit, showcasing ND’s continued commitment to Wisconsin’s economy and environment. The tour highlighted our $315 million in strategic investments since 2018, our partnerships with more than 900 Wisconsin-based vendors, and the significant environmental impact of our 100% recycled fiber-based packaging grades, which help keep valuable materials out of landfills. We’re proud to contribute to Wisconsin’s economic vitality and to demonstrate the sustainable innovations happening at Biron.

Taiwan’s plastic packaging shortage sparks Costco purchase limits

The prolonged disruption of the Strait of Hormuz amid the war involving Iran has constrained shipments of crude oil and naphtha to Taiwan, creating uncertainty for the island’s plastics packaging supply chain. In response to feedstock delivery delays caused by shipping disruptions in the Middle East, Taiwan’s Formosa Petrochemical Corporation has declared force majeure on select petrochemical supplies. These include ethylene and propylene, with the company announcing production cuts and suspending new orders. Meanwhile, due to the disruptions, Taiwanese consumers have stockpiled plastic packaging products, driven by concerns over potential price hikes and shortages. In an effort to manage demand, Costco Wholesale Taiwan has implemented purchase limits, which started on March 27. Ten types of packaging sold at Costco Taiwan, including food storage bags, garbage bags, plastic wrap, and zipper bags, will be restricted to one set per membership card.

Sam’s Club hiking membership fees May 1

It will soon be a little more expensive to obtain an annual membership at Sam’s Club. The warehouse club subsidiary of Walmart is increasing the fees to join both its Club and Plus membership tiers. In an email to Chain Store Age, Sam’s Club will raise the annual cost of a basic Club account from $50 to $60 and the yearly price of a premium Plus membership from $110 to $120, effective Friday, May 1, 2026

U.S. retail sales up 2% to start 2026

Consumers are continuing to spend so far this year despite ongoing financial pressures. New data from Circana shows that total U.S. retail sales revenue, across discretionary general merchandise, retail food and beverage, and non-edible consumer packaged goods, is up 2% year over year for the first 10 weeks of 2026. Circana noted that the data shows consumers are changing their behaviors instead of cutting back spending all together.

The Future of the Printing Industry Depends on Making Our Voices Heard

ASI was just one of the printing industry partner organizations that joined forces with PRINTING United Alliance in Washington DC for the two-day 2026 Fly-In. Representatives from Book Manufacturers Institute Inc. (BMI) including MIDLAND'S Bill Rojak, Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA), Flexographic Technical Association (FTA), Pharmaceutical Printed Literature Association (PPLA), Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), and Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI), came together with more than 60 participants from across the printing industry. The participants met with more than 60 congressional offices to discuss key issues affecting the industry, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), U.S. Postal Service, tariffs, and the “Patient’s Right to Know” legislation. A Collective Voice for Printing The Fly-In took place over the course of two days with the first day dedicated to prepping the attendees for what to expect during the congressional meetings. When the day on the Hill commenced, attendees joined small groups to meet with representatives from their home state or district. Attendees were given a statistics sheet intended to empower them to share the true power and magnitude of the printing industry as it is the No. 3 largest U.S. manufacturing industry by number of establishments; the No. 10 ranked by total employees nationwide; and when combined with the mailing industry is responsible for 7.9 million jobs and $1.9 trillion in annual revenue.

Canva-Our new solar farms go live: A major step toward our Net Zero goal

We're thrilled to share something years in the making: the solar farms we co-funded are now generating renewable electricity to match energy used in our Canva Print supply chain. Four solar farms are now live, each producing 4–5 MW of renewable energy. It's a milestone we're proud of, and one we couldn't have reached alone. Built in partnership with Watershed, a sustainability AI platform, these projects show what’s possible when we invest in climate solutions together, rather than asking individual suppliers to take on a global challenge by themselves. Print is one of the largest contributors to our carbon footprint, from the materials and manufacturing to the energy required to bring physical products to life. If we want to make meaningful progress, this is an impactful place to start. In 2024, we committed to funding a portfolio of community solar projects in Illinois, USA, helping add new power to the grid in regions where renewable power is still limited. Now, as these projects begin generating electricity, they’re supporting a shift toward lower-emissions Print production.

Clearwater Paper Launches Velora™ Lightweight Paperboard for Everyday Packaging

Clearwater Paper Corporation introduced Velora™, a new lightweight folding carton paperboard engineered to deliver dependable performance, higher yield and strong value for everyday packaging. Velora is designed for converters and brand owners seeking reliable packaging performance without moving into premium SBS grades. Made for folding carton and foodservice applications, the product combines strength, versatility and lower basis weights across the caliper range. Velora’s lighter fiber structure supports material reduction and helps customers manage sustainability commitments and regulatory costs. Made in the USA from domestic and imported materials, Velora also provides stable supply and consistent lead times.

Iran war costing Hapag-Lloyd $40-50 million per week: CEO

March 30, 2026
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The U.S.-led war in Iran is costing Hapag-Lloyd $40 million to $50 million per week, its chief executive said, as fuel, insurance and other costs skyrocket during the conflict. The world’s fifth-largest container line also has six ships trapped in the Persian Gulf as Iran chooses which vessels can safely transit the Strait of Hormuz. “Costs are increasing sharply. If we look at the impact that this has on us, then we talk easily about $40 million or $50 million per week that we are facing at this point in time,” said Hapag-Lloyd CEO Rolf Habben Jansen, on an earnings call, “mainly related to bunker [fuel], but also insurance costs are up significantly and so are costs related to storage and in some cases also inland transportation.”

Smurfit Westrock named Worldwide Partner of the Ryder Cup in event’s return to Ireland

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.”

Packaging stocks among hardest hit by Iran war: Morningstar

Packaging is among the industries that have been hardest hit by the war in Iran and stocks are in a sell-off, according to a Thursday report from financial services firm Morningstar. As of Monday, the group’s global packaging and containers index showed a 14% decline in stock prices since Feb. 28, the first day of the conflict, putting the industry as the fourth-worst performing. Only metals and mining, mortgage finance and residential construction fared worse, based on Morningstar global indices. The firm’s overall U.S. market index was down 4.3% The Morningstar analysis aligns with data from other reports this week. Jefferies on Tuesday similarly reported a sell-off for packaging and a collective 14% decline in companies’ stock prices since the war began, noting the industry is “significantly underperforming” the S&P 500.

Activewear isn’t over. Everything’s just apparel now.

The lines between apparel, activewear and everything in between have only continued to blur. That isn’t a problem, except if the customer says it is. Apparel is changing. Vuori and Fabletics provided a microcosm of the shifts in the space with the simultaneous release of new denim collections earlier this year. It’s a trend that’s been on the rise: athleisure brands are expanding further beyond their core offerings. At the same time, traditional apparel companies are staking a claim in activewear. Brands want to go where the money is, and sometimes that means broadening the scope of what they sell.

AF&PA Raises Cost Concerns as EPR Expands in U.S. States

As more U.S. states consider extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws, the American Forest & Paper Association warns the policy could raise the cost of everyday goods. EPR programs require manufacturers to finance the collection, recycling, and disposal of the packaging and products they place on the market. The approach aims to support recycling systems, which in the United States are largely managed by local governments and private waste operators. According to AF&PA, shifting these costs to producers could eventually affect prices for common consumer products. Paper and paper packaging are widely used in daily life—from shipping boxes and cereal cartons to pharmacy bags and tissue packaging—and industry groups say new regulatory fees can move through the supply chain and appear in retail prices. The association also notes that paper is already one of the most widely recycled materials in the United States, raising questions about whether EPR would significantly improve paper recycling.

Sweetwater donates $1M+ to music programs across the US in 2025

Sweetwater released its 2025 Impact Report, showing how the company supported employees, communities and the environment over the past year. The company ranked as a Top 10 North America Inspiring Workplace and received 13 national awards for its workplace culture. Sweetwater gave more than $1 million in funding, gear and volunteer support to communities in 2025. The company worked with Save the Music to expand music programs into 42 schools across the country.

Nordstrom to close 2 full-line stores despite top-line strength last year

Nordstrom is closing two full-line stores this spring, the company confirmed by email Wednesday. The anchor at the Galleria Dallas Mall in Texas will close May 16 and the anchor at the Christiana Mall in Delaware will close April 30. The closures come amid expansion of Nordstrom’s off-price business, with plans to open 23 Rack stores in 2026, after opening 22 last year, a spokesperson said by email. Nordstrom no longer releases earnings reports since going private last year. But on Wednesday the department store said 2025 total sales rose 7% year over year to nearly $16 billion, with the highest comps in over a decade.

Genpak to close Utah plant, affecting approximately 200 workers

Food service packaging manufacturer Genpak plans to close its manufacturing facility in Cedar City, Utah, by May 23, the company announced this week. The closure will affect approximately 200 employees, Genpak said. That plant produces a “large volume of polystyrene containers,” according to the company. It cited “rising legislative polystyrene bans in neighboring states” that prohibit the sale of single-use foam containers, table ware and cups as the reason for the shutdown. Nearby states with such bans include California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington.

Reducing food waste: a multi-purpose solution for climate and economic health

From the UN Environmental Program-March 28 marked the International Day of Zero Waste. Since its first observance three years ago, this UN Day, facilitated by UNEP and my friends at UN Habitat, has championed bold action on rethinking how we produce, consume and manage our resources. My thanks to Türkiye for their leadership on this day and on this issue. This year, we turn to an urgent and preventable crisis: food waste. In 2022 alone, one billion tonnes of food – almost 20 per cent of food available to retailers, food services and households – was thrown away. This above the 13 per cent of food lost before it reaches retailers. Meanwhile, hundreds of millions of people faced hunger.

Lowe’s wants to roll out personalized website to all customers by end of 2026

The humble e-commerce site is getting a major upgrade at Lowe’s. The Mooresville, North Carolina-based home improvement retailer is expanding a feature that uses customer data — things like location, browsing behavior and past purchases — to personalize its website. The feature is now being rolled out to a percentage of customers — though Lowe’s declined to specify how many — with a broader launch planned by the end of the year. The personalization will show up through modular content blocks on Lowe’s website that can be swapped, reordered or customized based on customer behavior.

UPM/Sappi Europe Update

According to Fastmarkets reporting the European Commission is expected to complete the first phase of its review into the proposed graphic paper joint venture between UPM and Sappi before the end of April.

Georgia-Pacific Names David Duncan as President and Chief Executive Officer

Georgia-Pacific announced that effective immediately, David Duncan, Executive Vice President of Georgia-Pacific's consumer products group, has been named President and CEO. Mark Luetters, who currently serves as executive vice president of Koch, Inc., with responsibility overseeing several Koch companies, had temporarily served as President and CEO of Georgia-Pacific since 2025.

Can EPR & Single-Serve Beverage Packaging Coexist?

The single-serve package continues to grow in importance for the beverage industry, fueled by seemingly insatiable consumer demand for product trial, portability, affordability, and portion control. Sales of single-serve beverages 18 ounces or less grew by 2.7% for the year ending February 7, 2026, according to AlixPartners, with some segments, such as energy drinks particularly strong, up 10.8%. Beverage manufacturers, however, don’t have the luxury of ignoring environmental impacts of their packaging. In this second article in the series, we probe industry’s challenges to comply with current and coming sustainability regulations. “Sixty-five percent of total [beverage] ounces are sold in single-serve sizes today and four years ago it was 62%,” says Mike Bronstein, a director in the consumer products practice of AlixPartners who focuses on beverages and food. “So, we’re seeing a shift towards single serve, and single serve already has higher exposure to begin with. So, I think it really puts that in the spotlight.”

AAA Fuel Gauge Report

March 26, 2026
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Key Currency Exchange Rates

March 26, 2026
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NORPAC to exit newsprint market-May 1

NORPAC will cease production of newsprint at its Longview, WA mill effective May 1. After NORPAC stops making newsprint in May, there will be only one newsprint mill in operation in the US - Inland Empire’s Millwood mill, also in Washington state. There are nine newsprint mills in Canada: three owned by White Birch Paper, two owned by Domtar, two owned by Kruger, and one each owned by Alberta Newsprint and Kap Paper.

California’s new recycling laws could cripple unprepared businesses

California’s SB 54 (Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act) is among the most stringent Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies globally. While CalRecycle is still refining the final regulations, the statutory performance targets remain. By Jan. 1, 2028, plastic covered material must meet a 30% recycling rate, rising to 40% by 2030 and 65% by 2032. While by Jan. 1, 2032, 100% of single-use packaging and single-use plastic food service ware sold into California must be recyclable or compostable, as determined by CalRecycle.

Easter spending expected to hit a new record

After a particularly harsh winter in many parts of the country, shoppers are ramping up their Easter spending. Consumer spending on Easter is expected to reach a record total of $24.9 billion this year, according to the annual survey by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. The amount surpasses the previous record of $24 billion set in 2023. Candy is the leading shopping category for Easter, with 92% of consumers planning to purchase sweets. Other top categories include food (90%), gifts (64%), decorations (53%) and clothing (51%). Across these categories, food spending is expected to reach $7.5 billion, followed by gifts ($3.9 billion), clothing ($3.7 billion), candy ($3.5 billion) and flowers ($2.2 billion).

Sappi Europe Announces Additional Price Increase for Graphic Paper products effective 15 April 2026

Following Sappi’s recent price increase communications for Graphic Paper products (WFC/UWF/MC) effective 16 March 2026, today they are announcing necessary further pricing adjustments. To address the underlying margin gap, Sappi Europe will implement an additional price increase of €40 per ton on all Mechanical Coated Reels and €50 per ton on all Woodfree products for deliveries from 15 April 2026 onwards.

Voith delivers its 3,000th headbox – a milestone in papermaking technology

Voith has reached an important milestone with the delivery of its 3,000th headbox. Since the first Voith headbox was supplied in 1914, the company has continuously improved one of the most critical components of the paper machine. Today, Voith headboxes are installed in paper mills around the world and form the technological basis for stable production, consistent quality and high operational efficiency. Headboxes play a central role in papermaking. Their primary task is to ensure uniform basis‑weight profiles across paper webs that can reach widths of up to ten meters. Headboxes are not only essential for new paper machines, but also play a major role in rebuild projects, capacity increases and grade conversions.

Packaging Policy Roundup for March

The packaging policy across the country is shifting, as states adopt legislation spanning data reporting to label design. From Maine to California—and all the states in between—there’s a lot to keep track of in the world of packaging policy. Whether you’re an engineer, a designer, or just a fan of sustainable packaging, SPC’s Senior Project Manager and Packaging EPR Collaborative Lead Lucy Pierce is breaking down noteworthy policy updates every month.

The biggest myth in retail right now? That consumers are pulling back. They’re not. They’re just spending differently.

2026 is shaping up to be a year where consumer demand defies every economic headline and most brands aren't prepared for the split that's emerging across income tiers, categories, and generations. Here's what the data is telling us loud and clear: ✔️ Retail sales projected to grow 4.4% ✔️ Higher-income shoppers are accelerating luxury and premium buys ✔️ Gen Z +Millennials are shifting spend towards experiences, travel, and convenience ✔️ Larger tax refunds + steady wages are fueling momentum. For more on the subject from Cohere One click on the link below. #retailoutlook2026 #consumertrends #retailst

Amazon pressures Walmart, other retailers with one-hour delivery

Amazon is getting even faster, posing a competitive threat to Walmart as well as other big-box retailers and grocers that people turn to for quick purchases. One-hour delivery from Amazon is now available in hundreds of cities across the U.S., in addition to three-hour delivery in 2,000-plus cities and towns, the company announced last week. The selection is limited largely to products found “in a local supercenter,” including pantry items, cleaning supplies, health and beauty products, and over-the-counter medications, the e-commerce giant said. “Our customers are busier than ever and are looking for new ways to save time while keeping their households running,” Udit Madan, svp of worldwide operations at Amazon, said in a news release.

FedEx revenue growth leads to ‘most profitable yet’ Q3

FedEx Corp. revenue continued its upward trend in its fiscal Q3 2026, which ended Feb. 28. The carrier also increased its net income in the quarter. FedEx net income increased year over year to $1.35 billion in Q3 2026, from $1.29 billion the prior-year period. On an earnings call with analysts, CEO Rajesh Subramaniam called FedEx’s quarter the carrier’s “most profitable yet.” It was also FedEx’s sixth straight quarter of increasing its margins, he said. The carrier said its plan for FedEx Freight to become a new publicly traded company is on track for June 1, 2026.

Summer 2026 Retail Trends Every Cataloger Should Be Watching

Summer 2026 is arriving with a mix of economic caution, experiential spending, and a renewed appetite for tactile brand interactions. While digital channels continue to evolve, consumers are leaning into physical experiences like travel, outdoor living, home refreshes, and hands‑on shopping, creating a unique opportunity for catalogers to meet customers where they’re most inspired. For brands that rely on print to drive discovery and sales, this summer’s trends point to one clear takeaway: catalogs remain one of the most effective tools for capturing attention and guiding purchase decisions in a crowded retail landscape.

Why Limited-Edition Packages Often Fail to Impress Shoppers

Brands love the fantasy of the limited edition. A seasonal pack tied to Halloween, a sports final, a pop culture collaboration, or an anniversary gets launched with the quiet hope that shoppers will treat it like a keepsake. Sometimes that happens. Most of the time, especially in fast-moving grocery categories, it does not. In fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), a limited edition usually lives in a very different reality from the one imagined in the boardroom. If units are still sitting on shelf after the event has passed, the package stops signaling novelty and starts signaling age. To a shopper moving quickly through the aisle, that stale seasonal pack can read less like “special” and more like “this has been here a while.” The safer choice becomes the regular version, the one that still feels current, familiar, and easy.

Costco to open its first standalone gas stations — in these states

Costco Wholesale Club will unveil its first standalone gas station in June. The membership warehouse giant will open the 17,000-sq.-ft. station in Mission Viejo, Calif., reported USA Today, on the site of a former Bed Bath & Beyond store. The 40-pump station will be Costco’s first fuel station that is not co-located with one of its stores. Similar to the retailer’s other gas stations, it will be open only to Costco members. A second standalone Costco gas station is planned for Honolulu, the report said. It is slated to open in 2027. At a time of rising gas prices amid the Iran conflict, industry analysts have described Costco’s gas prices as its secret weapon, sending more customers to its locations. The company’s gas is, on average, 10 to 30 cents cheaper a gallon than at other gas stations, according to U.S. News Costco operated 747 gas stations globally at the end of fiscal 2025, which contributed 10% of its total net sales for the year, according to its annual report.

3M promised to phase out PFAS by the end of 2025. How has it turned out?

In December 2022, 3M shocked the chemicals world when it announced it would stop PFAS production. The company, which pioneered PFAS in the 1950s and now faces billion-dollar lawsuits over the resulting pollution, said it would stop making PFAS by the end of 2025. “3M completed its exit of PFAS manufacturing at the end of 2025,” says 3M’s annual report, published earlier this month. It means this huge multinational has taken an important step towards detoxifying its production. When it announced it would stop making PFAS, the company said it would also “work to discontinue the use of PFAS across its product portfolio by the end of 2025”. Indeed, we can see that 3M has removed PFAS from almost 7,000 products during the past three years – that’s about one-third.

Norske Skog Skogn Mill Preparing to Produce Book Paper on Upgraded PM1

Norske Skog said that work is nearing completion on PM1 at its mill in Skogn, Norway, that will give the machine the capability to produce high-quality book paper, along with its usual paper grade, newsprint. The new book paper will be marketed under the brand name "NOR Book." "The development represents an investment of NOK 40 million (EUR 3.5 million), giving us the flexibility to produce more than 140,000 tonnes annually," the company said. "NOR Book will be produced from 100% virgin fibre and is designed to deliver industry-leading low CO2 emissions.

Total U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Shipments Increased 4% in February 2026

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the February 2026 U.S. Packaging Papers Monthly report. According to the report, total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in February increased 4% compared to February 2025. They were up 1% when compared to the same two months of 2025.

Total U.S. Printing-Writing Paper Shipments Decreased 6% in February 2026

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the February 2026 Printing-Writing Monthly report. According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 6% in February compared to February 2025. Across the 3 major printing-writing categories — uncoated free sheet (UFS), coated free sheet (CFS), and mechanical (MECH) — net imports declined 16% in January compared to the same month last year.

International Paper to Build $225 Million Greenfield Packaging Facility in Mississippi

International Paper today announced plans to construct a new 468,000-square-foot sustainable packaging facility in Rankin County, Mississippi. Following a comprehensive review of its manufacturing footprint, International Paper's Board of Directors approved both the exploration and advancement of this $225 million greenfield project. The facility is planned to be built on an 80-acre site in Brandon, Mississippi, less than 10 miles from the company's existing Richland (Jackson) box plant. Construction is expected to begin in June 2026, with operations anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2027.

It’s Showtime for Your Political Direct Mail

The other day, I saw an early sign of Spring: an election campaign commercial on TV. It was just a 30-second ad, but it did make me wonder how long it will be before more of them start showing up everywhere, even on streaming. With so many seats and offices at stake in this midterm election year, we’ll be bombarded with them. That’s why direct mail plays such a crucial role in modern campaigns. Mail has a built-in advantage. A well-designed piece consists of a strong headline, crisp, high-resolution images, and a focused message. It gets physically handled, read, and often saved. It doesn’t disappear with a click or get buried in an inbox.

Labor Agreement Ratified at Domtar’s U.S. Mills

Members of the United Steelworkers (USW) have ratified a new four-year collective agreement covering approximately 2,400 employees across several Domtar paper mills in the United States. The agreement, which runs through December 2029, includes significant wage increases and enhanced benefits. The negotiations took place under specific conditions. It was the first agreement reached since Domtar’s integration into Paper Excellence in 2021, followed by the acquisition of Resolute Forest Products in 2023. Talks also occurred against a backdrop of market slowdown and production downtime across the industry. Despite these challenges, the union points to meaningful gains. The contract provides for wage increases exceeding 12% over its term, along with a signing bonus, improved pension plans, and continued access to affordable health care.

Target goes big for return of K-pop sensation BTS

Fans of the South Korean boy band BTS are not the only ones celebrating their return. Target Corp. is putting out the red carpet for the launch of the band’s highly-anticipated new album, “Arirang,” and upcoming world tour, creating dedicated BTS shopping destinations in its stores nationwide, complete with themed displays and exclusive merchandise. The album is BTS’ first group project in nearly four years following their mandatory military service. In addition to being the only mass retailer to offer the album on vinyl, the retailer is offering seven limited-edition, Target-exclusive “Arirang” vinyls, each spotlighting a different BTS member with a unique color variant, a poster and lyric paper

AAA Fuel Gauge Report

March 19, 2026
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March 19, 2026
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Apollo Capital Management Acquires European Paper Producer Lecta

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Lecta Paper Industries Intermediate Financing S.à r.l. ('Lecta') by Apollo Capital Management ('Apollo Funds'), a private equity firm based in New York. According to information on Lecta's website, the company has a production capacity of approximately 1.6 million tons of paper and about 2,700 employees.

Setting the record straight on Amazon’s USPS partnership

Recent press coverage has mischaracterized our relationship with the United States Postal Service (USPS). The truth is simple: we negotiated with them in good faith for more than a year to reach a deal that would bring them billions in revenue and believed we were heading toward an agreement. Our goal was to increase our volumes with USPS, not reduce them—until USPS abruptly walked away at the eleventh hour in December.

Nearly $1 stamps? Lawmakers contemplate how to avert USPS financial crisis

Postmaster General David Steiner warned that USPS could reach a financial cliff as soon as fall 2026. As a response, he floated reducing the postal agency’s mandate to deliver mail six days per week or raising stamp prices to 90 to 95 cents. Stamps currently are 78 cents, having been increased six times since 2021. “If you want the same number of delivery days and post offices, we can do that, but someone has to pay for it. If you want to have a discussion about reducing services, we can do that,” Steiner said. “But there's one thing we can't do, and that is the status quo, and we don't have a lot of time.” David Marroni, a senior official at the Government Accountability Office, testified that any fix to the USPS’ finances will likely require congressional action, calling the postal agency’s current business model "unsustainable."

The Iran war is hitting packaging supply chains. Are the impacts temporary?

Higher fuel and material costs, shipping disruptions and consumer spending are playing into industry impacts. Certain packaging substrates, such as plastics, bear a greater burden than others. Major publicly traded packaging companies’ most recent earnings calls largely occurred just before the war began, so executives did not address the topic at that time. But analysts have been sporadically divulging information about effects and adjusting their projections as information becomes available. “It’s not been pretty” for the publicly traded packaging companies within BofA Securities’ coverage, said analyst George Staphos in a March 13 note to investors. The average packaging company’s stock had dropped approximately 10% since Feb. 27, the day before the war started, he said Generally speaking, every $10 per barrel increase in oil prices translates to a few cents per pound increased costs for plastic packaging producers, according to Staphos.

HD Advanced Technologies and Ondas Autonomous Systems establish joint venture for drone defense in Europe

HD Advanced Technologies (HDAT), a wholly owned subsidiary of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG), and Ondas Autonomous Systems (OAS), a subsidiary of US-based Ondas, Inc (Nasdaq: ONDS) (“ONDAS”) and a leading American-Israeli provider of autonomous defense and security systems, are joining forces by creating ONBERG Autonomous Systems (ONBERG), a joint venture (JV) for autonomous drone defense systems. The partners are thus implementing the Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2025. In the long term, ONBERG aims to close the existing market gap in the protection of critical infrastructure in Europe as a one-stop shop for autonomous drone defense systems. The solution portfolio is geared toward the highest requirements of national security, border protection, and the protection of critical infrastructure, and addresses military, civil, and industrial applications. It is based on OAS‘s battle-proven systems, which will be gradually supplemented with additional autonomous technologies as well as sensor and communication technologies. ONBERG will use HEIDELBERG’s existing infrastructure, particularly its site in Brandenburg an der Havel, which is being expanded into a leading center of excellence for drone defense and autonomous security systems.

California’s recyclability labeling law under fire in new lawsuit

The Flexible Packaging Association and the American Forest & Paper Association are among the plaintiffs seeking a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of SB 343 come October. The lawsuit comes just over six months out from an Oct. 4, 2026, go-live date for SB 343. The law will prohibit the use of chasing arrows or other recyclability symbols on products and packaging unless specific criteria are met, including that a product or packaging is accepted for collection by programs collectively serving at least 60% of the the state’s population.

Will Reusable Packaging Capitalize on Current Troubles with Compostable Packaging?

Recently, the USDA National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) decided to not recommend compostable packaging, ruling it does not meet organic standards. This seems a bit counter to what’s being written into some US state’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws. But it sounds like compostable packaging might be in for a tough period in the US despite research that projects a compound annual growth rate of more than 16%. If compostable packaging is in question, and there are only so many end-of-life options for packaging, when one goes down, something else must go up, right?

The real winners of March Madness? Brands that move fast on NIL deals

Consumer brands and retailers aren’t sitting on the sidelines this March Madness. Companies across sectors, from footwear to personal care, are racing to sign college basketball players and feature them in marketing materials as the NCAA tournament gets underway. Earlier this month, Jordan Brand announced it was working with University of Connecticut shooting guard Azzi Fudd, while NYX Professional Makeup said it was joining forces with UCLA center Lauren Betts. On March 16, Freddy’s, a custard and burger chain, announced deals with 10 collegiate athletes in Arizona, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Facebook parent company Meta signs 10-year lease for NYC flagship

Meta is turning a pop-up that it opened in New York City in November into a permanent retail location. The parent company of Facebook said it has signed a 10-year lease with Vornado Realty Trust to make its temporary Meta Lab outpost in Manhattan a permanent flagship location. Located at 697 Fifth Ave., the skateboarding-themed Meta Lab is designed as a hands-on experiential space where customers can check out the company’s latest retail offerings, including its lineup of AI glasses, and immerse themselves in virtual worlds with Meta Quest headsets.

Costco ties digital personalization to $470M in sales growth

Costco’s investment in online personalization is having a measurable impact on e-commerce sales, executives said on a Q2 2026 earnings call Thursday. The personalized product recommendation carousels drove more than $470 million in e-commerce sales during the quarter, according to EVP and CFO Gary Millerchip. Modernized product display pages are driving incremental traffic as well. “We have a clear road map for future digital enhancements and believe these will allow us to continue to grow digitally-enabled sales at a faster pace than overall sales,” Millerchip said on the call.

AF&PA: Oregon’s EPR Approach Misses the Mark for Recycling Success

Heidi Brock, President and CEO of AF&PA stated, "Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies continue to move in the wrong direction. In states like Oregon, EPR is poised to result in escalating fees, limited transparency, and added complexity while failing to recognize the existing, highly effective paper recycling system. "Our industry continuously invests to improve paper recycling. And we have a significant stake throughout the recycling value chain, including designing products to be recycled, expanding mill-based infrastructure that utilizes recycled paper, and operating over 100 materials recovery facilities (MRFs). "Rather than penalizing materials like paper and paper packaging that are already widely recycled, policymakers should prioritize approaches that build on existing success and deliver measurable improvements. Treating all materials the same, regardless of recycling performance, ignores decades of progress and distorts recycling markets.

Book Output Topped Four Million in 2025

The total number of books published in the U.S. in 2025 with ISBN numbers jumped 32.5% over 2024, to more than four million books, according to statistics compiled by Bowker. The increase was led by self-published works, for which the number of print and e-books (including those without BISAC codes) soared 38.7% to more than 3.5 million from 2.5 million in 2024.

Amazon overtakes US Postal Service as largest parcel carrier

Amazon passed the U.S. Postal Service as the largest domestic parcel carrier in 2025, anchoring a broader market shift away from traditional couriers, as it in-sourced a large amount of last-mile delivery work previously handled by UPS, according to data published Monday by ShipMatrix Inc. Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) handled 6.7 billion parcels last year, up 9.8% year over year, compared to an 8.3% decline for the U.S. Postal Service to 6.6 billion pieces. UPS (NYSE: UPS) also experienced an 8.3% volume decline at 4.4 billion deliveries. FedEx (NYSE: FDX) delivered 3.6 billion parcels in 2025, up 5.9%. Amazon’s parcel growth isn’t just fueled by its own online orders, but new contracts from third parties that don’t sell on the retailer’s platform.

Paper industry joins Oregon EPR lawsuit

After the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors secured a preliminary injunction in February, groups representing the paper industry, grocers and other businesses want in. The challenges to Oregon’s program come as Circular Action Alliance, the producer responsibility organization in the state, is already re-investing in recycling enhancements. Following NAW’s preliminary injunction, CAA had clarified that everything else was moving forward as planned. Oregon launched its first-in-the-nation packaging EPR program last year and CAA began collecting producer fees. According to a mid-February update from CAA, the organization had already contributed $19.5 million to support recycling facilities, distributed $3.1 million to communities for contamination reduction programs, and ordered more than 50,000 recycling carts and 14 trucks for communities that lacked access to recycling services, among other actions.

4 Risks of Delaying EPR Registration

Is EPR going away in the US? There’s a conversation happening in boardrooms and in c-suites right now. It goes something like this: "Did you hear about the EPR lawsuit in Oregon? If they win, we won’t have to do EPR, so we’re going to wait and see how that turns out before we sign up." It’s an understandable reaction. Extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations are complex, the compliance workload is real, and nobody wants to absorb fees and reporting burdens for a system that might get struck down. The companies positioning themselves best for whatever legal and regulatory outcome emerges aren’t sitting on their hands — they’re building capabilities that pay off regardless of how the courts rule. Here’s the prudent playbook: 1. Get Your Packaging Data Centralized — Now 2. Map Your State-by-State Exposure 3. Register on Current Timelines 4. Build Your Cross-Functional EPR Team Now 5. Model Your Fee Exposure — Even Roughly

FedEx Freight is poised to become North America’s largest independent LTL carrier

The June 1 spinoff is locked in. Here's what shippers, investors, and the LTL market need to know. On June 1, 2026, the freight industry’s competitive landscape will change permanently. FedEx Corporation will complete the spinoff of FedEx Freight into an independent, publicly traded company, establishing the largest standalone less-than-truckload carrier in North America. The new entity will trade on the NYSE under the ticker FDXF, generate nearly $9 billion in annual revenue, and operate with a 15.8% operating margin, a benchmark most LTL competitors aspire to achieve. FedEx’s decision to separate Freight reflects a broader strategic shift to prioritize focused operations and profitability over conglomerate scale. After the spinoff, FedEx will focus exclusively on parcel, ground, and express services. FedEx Freight will have full autonomy over pricing, network strategy, and capital allocation, tailored specifically to the LTL market without the constraints of a parcel-focused corporate structure.

Portillo’s names new development chief

A Chicago-based fast-casual chain has tapped a new executive to oversee its future store expansion. Portillo’s has named Jennifer Pecoraro-Striepling as its chief development officer. In this role, she will lead Portillo’s restaurant development strategy, including real estate and site selection, prototype design and construction, and will play a “key role” in advancing long-term expansion. A Chicago native, Pecoraro-Striepling most recently served as chief development officer for Miller’s Ale House for the past year, where she was responsible for driving the development and expansion strategies.

Inside FedEx’s reusable shipper rollout

It’s corrugated’s world, and alternative shipping formats are just living in it. But now, FedEx and Returnity have launched a reusable shipping offering for B2B customers that they say cracks the code on working in FedEx’s logistics network just as well as, if not better than, traditional single-use fiber-based boxes. “The entire logistics world has been built around corrugated for decades and decades,” said Mike Newman, CEO of reusable packaging manufacturer Returnity. “When everything is built for corrugated, it’s not actually that easy to integrate something other than corrugated.” There are multiple layers to the single-use vs. reusable container cost analysis, according to Newman. First is potential savings on materials like corrugated boxes and tape. There are also labor efficiencies: Newman said pilots showed that unpacking the reusable containers saves about 30 seconds of time compared with single-use containers. “They pop open, they collapse flat, you’re not cutting with box cutters,” he said, also noting that eliminating the box cutter reduces risk for damaging the products inside. Returnity and FedEx claim a 30% cost savings for some customers that opt for reusables over corrugated. There’s also better cost predictability with reusables, Newman said.

Sessions Announces Hearing on the Financial Future of the U.S. Postal Service-Tuesday Mar. 17@ 2:00 EDT

Subcommittee on Government Operations Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) today announced a hearing on “Oversight of the U.S. Postal Service: The Financial Future Under Postmaster General Steiner.” During the hearing, members will highlight the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) troubled financial situation after losing billions of dollars and will examine the initiatives Postmaster General David Steiner is taking to transform the agency and maximize revenue. Members will also assess whether USPS is reliable enough for Congress to allow it to borrow more money from the Department of the Treasury. WATCH: The hearing is open to the public and will be livestreamed-go to the link below to find the livestream link.

Ulta Beauty will be first beauty & wellness retailer on TIkTok Shop

Ulta Beauty is opening a storefront on TikTok’s e-commerce platform just in time for spring. Ulta Beauty is the first beauty and wellness retailer to join the platform. It will roll out with more than 15 brands spanning makeup, skincare, hair and fragrance, in addition to more than 25 exclusive bundles.

Costco sued by customer seeking tariff refunds

The proposed class action suit seeks to recoup IEEPA-tariff costs an Illinois customer alleges the retailer passed on to him and other consumers through higher prices. Costco is one of a number of companies, including the delivery company FedEx and the maker of Ray-Ban sunglasses Essilor Luxottica, to be hit by lawsuits filed in the wake of the Supreme Court decision by retail customers seeking to recoup the increased tariff-related charges they paid, according to the Associated Press. For CFOs, the litigation by consumers underscores another key issue in the complex path to obtaining tariff refunds that finance leaders must address. In addition to preserving their legal rights to any IEEPA duties paid, Luis “Lou” Abad, principal in the trade and customs group at KPMG, said importers who paid the tariffs on goods must carefully assess both their plans for using any refunds that they may receive along with any obligations or arrangements they may have for sharing the cost of the tariffs.

Quad at Shoptalk 2026: AI’s biggest retail opportunity is still in the store

Harris Poll research commissioned by Quad points to the importance of blending physical and digital in retail: Eighty-six percent of Gen Z and Millennials say touching and feeling products is essential to their purchase decisions, and 84% value brands that blend technology with physical experiences. With more than 80 percent of retail purchases happening in brick-and-mortar locations1, the in-store experience is still where buying decisions are made. Quad experts will share unique insights on these and other trends at the annual retail and e-commerce conference, whose theme is “Retail in the Age of AI .”

As performance and growth avenues lag, packaging companies pursue M&A

It’s no secret that the packaging industry has faced business challenges and has been overall sluggish since the pandemic-era boom ended. Amid sustained challenges, executives have sought alternative avenues for growth and returning value to shareholders. That’s where M&A comes in, according to a newly released report by McKinsey & Co. “There is renewed interest and excitement around what you can achieve through M&A as a lever,” Abhinav Goel, partner at McKinsey and co-author of the report, said in an interview. “M&A comes in as a lever to adjust your participation, double down on your markets, etc., so that you continue to maintain a good growth trajectory.” A recent example of the programmatic approach is ProAmpac, which on March 6 completed its acquisition of TC Transcontinental’s packaging business for 2.1 billion Canadian dollars ($1.5 billion). That company, owned by Pritzker Private Capital, has been built through dozens of acquisitions, including the 2025 purchases of e-commerce packaging specialist PAC Worldwide and International Paper’s bag converting operations.

Sappi North America President and CEO, Mike Haws, Named PaperAge’s 2026 Executive Papermaker of the Year

PaperAge is proud to announce that Mike Haws, President and CEO of Sappi North America, is the recipient of our 2026 "Executive Papermaker of the Year" award. PaperAge selects its…

Why Direct Mail is Winning Again in a Digital-Obsessed World

While some company leaders may underestimate direct mail's current market position, the channel represents about $40 billion or ~20% of all US offline channel spend. The growing focus on synchronizing digital and…

Whole Foods plans six new London stores

Whole Foods Market is expanding its presence across the pond. The Amazon-owned natural and organic grocer will open six new stores in the United Kingdom in the coming months, just one year after the company opened its first new store in the country in over a decade. With the six new stores in the London area (locations found later in article), Whole Foods’ U.K. store count will reach 12. The new locations will vary in size, spanning between 3,300 and 10,000 square feet. All stores will provide Whole Foods' a wide selection of organic items across its grocery, meat, seafood, cheese and prepared foods departments.

AAA Fuel Gauge Report

March 12, 2026
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Key Currency Exchange Rates

March 12, 2026
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AT&T and AWS Collaborate on Resilient, Scalable Last Mile Connectivity for Business-Grade AI Workloads

AT&T and Amazon Web Services are working together to extend 5G and fiber connectivity from business customers and locations directly into AWS environments, creating secure, resilient and reliable premises-to-cloud architectures for AI workloads. The solution is designed to reduce network complexity and latency while supporting real-time analytics, machine learning, and agentic AI use cases.

Sofidel Selects Its Inola, OK Facility for $775 Million Tissue Capacity Expansion in the U.S.

Sofidel has finalized the details of the tissue capacity expansion plan announced last October to further strengthen the company's production capacity in the United States. The expansion will take place at the company's integrated facility in Inola, Oklahoma. The plan includes the construction of a new building to house the previously announced 75,000 tonnes per year Valmet Through-Air-Drying (TAD) tissue machine, along with the installation of converting lines with matching capacity for the production of finished goods. The project also includes the expansion of the pulp and parent reel warehouse, and the construction of a fully automated finished goods warehouse — developed using E80 technology — with 100,000 pallet positions. The new buildings will cover a total area of approximately 1,000,000 square feet (90,000 square meters). The total investment amounts to $775 million.

HP Unveils Indigo 7K+ and AI-Driven Automation Strategy

At Dscoop Edge Rockies, HP unveiled new AI-driven software and press innovations designed to help commercial Print Service Providers (PSPs) unlock profitable growth through simplified operations, higher productivity and greater control across increasingly complex production environments. For HP, the future of work is anchored in enabling PSPs to generate profitable growth and fulfilment through technology, delivering innovation that empowers nonstop digital printing at scale. HP has strengthened its long-standing commitment to the A3 mid-range commercial print market with the launch of the HP Indigo 7K+ Digital Press. Built on the proven 7X00 platform, with more than 2,200 presses installed worldwide and a proven track record, the new press delivers enhanced cost efficiency, versatility and operational simplicity by aligning with HP’s broader vision for nonstop digital printing. “Our nonstop digital printing journey continues at full speed.

Packaging Sustainability Enters the Age of Accountability

Businesses that have postponed sustainability efforts are now facing significant consequences, including fines, restricted market access, and other critical business issues. If you were kicking the can down the road when it comes to extended producer responsibility (EPR) planning and implementation, here’s a rude awakening: You’ve run out of road, says Matthew Rogerson, principal at The Pack Scout. The packaging industry is entering a new era of sustainability, moving from aspiration to accountability. Rogerson explores this shift in a recent conversation, explaining that companies can no longer defer making sustainability decisions. Why? Because new regulations leave no room for hiding or delaying compliance, making it crucial for companies to act decisively and strategically. Non-compliance with regulations can result in fines that exceed profit margins, posing a serious threat to business viability.

Survey: Consumers trust brands with eco-friendly packaging

Sustainable packaging is still resonating with consumers. Nearly seven-in-10 (68%) Americans have changed how they shop to reduce plastic waste, and half (50%) of consumers choose the more sustainable-looking product when prices are equal, according to a recent survey from printing company Uprinting. More than three-quarters (77%) of respondents say they trust brands more when packaging appears eco-friendly, while nearly six-in-10 (57%) believe brands and manufacturers should take the lead in addressing the environmental impact of packaging.

Georgia-Pacific reaches 3B recyclable mailers

The milestone reflects growing demand for fiber-based packaging solutions in the e-commerce sector, where brands and retailers are increasingly seeking alternatives to plastic shipping envelopes. Georgia-Pacific previously reported producing two billion EarthKraft mailers in October 2024, indicating continued growth in the use of recyclable paper mailers for parcel shipments. The EarthKraft mailers are manufactured from 100% legally and responsibly sourced wood fiber and are labeled “widely recyclable” through the How2Recycle® program. The products also maintain SFI® certification for responsible forestry sourcing.

Paper-based flexibles could reduce pollution from small-format plastics.

Fiber-based flexibles do “not yet exist at the scale, cost, and performance needed” to solve the flexible plastic pollution problem, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is prominently known for its Global Commitment launched in 2018 to engage stakeholders across the plastic packaging value chain to reduce waste and pollution. Goals tied to 2025 included making plastic packaging recyclable, compostable or reusable; eliminating problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging; and increasing the amount of postconsumer recycled content used to manufacture plastic packaging. EMF noted in its new report that flexibles, especially small-format versions, are the fastest-growing type of plastic packaging globally. They make up 80% of the plastic packaging that ends up in oceans in countries that have low concentration of formal collection and recycling systems. Flexible plastic packaging waste and pollution is one of the three main barriers the group identified toward achieving a circular economy and curbing plastic pollution. While paper-based flexibles are not the sole solution, they are one that can be used alongside others, the report says.

ProAmpac Acquires TC Transcontinental Packaging

ProAmpac has completed its acquisition of TC Transcontinental Packaging (TCP) from TC Transcontinental, expanding its position in the global flexible packaging market. The transaction combines TCP’s manufacturing footprint and advanced coating capabilities with ProAmpac’s expertise in material science, sustainability and rapid product development. Together, the companies aim to develop new flexible and fiber-based packaging formats for global customers. “Today marks an exciting new chapter for ProAmpac, and we are proud to welcome TCP as an official member of the ProAmpac family,” said Greg Tucker, ProAmpac founder, vice chairman and chief executive officer. “Our organizations share a strong alignment in values, customer commitment and a culture rooted in innovation and operational excellence.” According to the company, integrating TCP’s technologies and workforce will accelerate the development of next-generation packaging formats, including barrier films, mono-material structures and fiber-based solutions designed for recyclable packaging applications.

How Women Leaders (Past & Present) Are Building a Sustainable Future for Print

As we celebrate Women’s History Month in 2026, the theme of “sustainability” — encompassing environmental, educational, and economic leadership — provides the perfect framework to recognize the remarkable women whose contributions have powered a viable printing industry while also championing women whose roles are currently shaping the future of print. Women in Print Alliance is honored to serve as the connective tissue to industry sustainability, bringing women from all roles, segments, and career levels together to network, develop and polish professional skills, and share dialogue on topics like business expertise, work-life balance, advocacy, and more.

How Costco is addressing tariff changes in early 2026

CEO Ron Vachris opened his address to investors on Costco’s fiscal Q2 earnings call by discussing tariff changes and potential refunds. “The future impact of tariffs remains extremely fluid as the recently eliminated IEEPA tariffs have now been replaced with new global tariffs for at least the next 150 days,” he said. “Our buyers continue to act with great agility and urgency, always with the goal of reducing the impact of tariff on prices for our members.” In its fiscal Q2, Costco lowered prices on what Vachris called “key items.” Those included eggs, cheese, coffee and some paper products as the retailer saw lower inflation on those commodities, he said. “We will continue to be a pricing authority and as some tariffs have been reduced, we are lowering prices on affected items such as certain textiles, bedding and cookware SKUs,” Vachris said.

Primark is retail’s ‘best kept secret.’ It’s ready to move beyond that.

The fashion retailer has a new CEO, is expanding in the U.S. and will soon open a flagship in New York City. It just wants you to know it exists. Primark is making moves. The fashion company last week appointed a CEO, Eoin Tonge, who had been acting as its interim for the past year. The Dublin-founded retailer also recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary in the U.S., has been expanding its nationwide presence with new locations in Texas, Illinois, Tennessee and Florida, and is eyeing a flagship store opening in New York City’s Herald Square this spring. Rene Federico, Primark’s U.S. head of marketing, is just ready for more people in this country to know about the company. “We talk about ourselves as the best kept secret in amazing retail,” she said in an interview with Retail Dive this fall. “We don’t want to be such a kept secret anymore.”

Early Bird Registration Ends Soon for Paper Meets LIVE! 2026

Early bird pricing for Paper Meets LIVE! 2026 ends March 13. This premier paper industry networking event focuses on programming and networking that will enhance and grow business relationships among our member business partners and facilitate important discussions on the unique challenges and opportunities of the U.S. paper products industry. Paper Meets LIVE! 2026, taking place May 12-14 at the Opal Sands Resort in Clearwater Beach, Florida, is co-hosted by the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) and National Paper Trade Association (NPTA).

Import cargo volume falls year over year in January; trends down for H1

Imports at major U.S. container ports are expected to remain below prior year levels for the first half of 2026. U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 2.08 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) — one 20-foot container or its equivalent — in January 2026, although the ports of New York/New Jersey and Miami have not yet reported their data. That was up 3.8% from December 2025 but down 6.4% year over year. Hackett Associates founder Ben Hackett said it is too soon to gauge the impact of the conflict in Iran on import cargo volume. "The immediate impact on containerized traffic to the United States is not likely to be substantial since little U.S.-bound container cargo is sourced from the region," Hackett said. "While it is too early to measure in the monthly data, increasing oil and gasoline prices will inevitably drive structural inflation if the conflict persists. That, in turn, could squeeze consumer discretionary spending and U.S. manufacturing, and ultimately drive down import volumes in the longer term."

Spring’s the thing at the U.S.A.’s largest shopping center

The width and breadth of the 5 million-plus-square-foot Mall of America will ring with Spring Break promotions from the beginning of March through the middle of April. Breakers flow into MOA from Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin--as well as Minnesota—for six weeks. “Spring Break kicks off in the first week of March and extends to Easter because different towns celebrate the occasion on different weeks,” said Mall of America’s CMO Jill Renslow. “One unique thing is that the entire state of Iowa has the same week off, so we always note what week it is to be ready for the Iowans.”

Lumber and pulp markets show fragile stabilization

Recent results from forest products producers suggest that lumber and pulp markets remain under pressure but are beginning to show early signs of stabilization. North American lumber markets remained difficult through the final quarter of 2025. Elevated U.S. countervailing and anti-dumping duties continued to weigh on exports, while a 10% tariff introduced under Section 232 in October added further uncertainty for Canadian producers. Demand conditions also softened across offshore markets. China’s prolonged housing downturn continued to suppress lumber consumption, while Japan saw weaker demand linked to declining housing starts. In Europe, high log costs and constrained spruce supply limited purchasing activity despite seasonal inventory restocking. However, supply conditions began to tighten late in the quarter. Industry-wide sawmill curtailments announced in mid-December, combined with already low inventories, helped support modest gains in benchmark lumber prices as observed late in the fourth quarter. These improvements have carried into early 2026, although market participants remain cautious amid ongoing economic uncertainty and unresolved trade tensions between Canada and the United States. Pulp markets showed a similar pattern of weakness followed by tentative stabilization.

Foot Locker exec jumps to REI

Kim Waldmann is now chief commercial officer at the outdoor retailer, which also just brought on former Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario to its board. Last year was rough at REI, which axed its experiences business, announced store closures and lost a board vote to the REI Union. Eleven REI stores have unionized so far, and the retailer’s antiunion efforts have disappointed many customers. REI, like others in the space, is also grappling with sales declines and operating losses. This year, though, the company’s board seats were filled without controversy. In fact, REI’s board has welcomed a superstar to its ranks, with former Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario elected in February. In a statement posted to LinkedIn, Waldmann hailed REI for “its market leadership, trailblazing culture and member-first approach.” “I can’t wait to be a part of this exceptional and passionate team. Here is to helping all our members and more consumers find joy and adventure in the outdoors,” she said.

Adidas extends CEO’s contract amid record revenues

Bjørn Gulden has made “tremendous operational and financial progress,” according to the board. The retailer’s 2025 revenue reached 24.8 billion euros. On the back of strong Q4 and full-year earnings, Adidas has extended CEO Bjørn Gulden’s contract through the end of 2030. The vote of confidence comes three years after Gulden joined the retailer from rival Puma. “With his long-standing experience, his deep understanding of our industry, his strong leadership, and his clear focus on quality growth, Bjørn Gulden drove the successful turnaround of Adidas during the past three years”, Thomas Rabe, chairman of the supervisory board, said in a statement. “Under his leadership, Adidas has made tremendous operational and financial progress in a challenging environment, laying a strong foundation for further sustainable top- and bottom-line growth in the future.”

MIDLAND Features Exciting New Products at Dscoop Edge

See MIDLAND’s New Products in Action at Booth #776 in Aurora CO March 8-10, 2026 Innovative and sustainable, MIDLAND launches compelling new products which fulfill unmet needs in the market. MIDLAND’s booth #776 is a “must” on your list of companies to see at Dscoop Edge 2026. Stop by our booth and learn how these new products will give you a competitive advantage and boost your bottom line.

America’s second Sphere set to rise at National Harbor in the D.C. Metro

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A smaller-scale construction of the Sphere entertainment venue in Las Vegas may soon be taking shape across the Potomac River from the nation’s capital. Sphere Entertainment Co., the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and Peterson Companies recently announced their intent to develop a new Sphere venue at National Harbor, a premier destination in the Washington, D.C. Metro. It will be just the second Sphere in the U.S., and first to utilize a smaller-scale design model. It will hold 6,000 seats, making it about one-third the size of the Las Vegas Sphere.

Packaging Outlook 2026: Trends Driving Tomorrow’s Growth

Sustainability Reigns Supreme For Ryan Bennett, product manager at Minneapolis-based Meyers, a PRINTING United Alliance member company, sustainability is something customers are looking for. “It used to be, you stood out if you were a sustainability leader, but now it’s kind of the starting point,” Bennett says. “You have to start there and then innovate.” A Need for Speed Another trend shaping the packaging and label industry going into 2026 is the demand for shorter runs and quicker lead times. Bennett says more and more brands are adopting this mindset. “Industry standard for the printing industry is usually three weeks from PO, and people are doing anything to push that just to get to market quicker,” he says. “There’s a ton of stuff that drives that.” Managing the Supply Chain The supply chain has made headlines this year, with tariffs being threatened, levied, and reduced seemingly at random throughout 2025. But supply chain has been top of mind for converters for longer. Preparing for What’s to Come Looking forward, the biggest concern on Bennett’s mind is labor. “The one thing that we do see that is a challenge — not even next year, but going into the next decade — is the aging workforce,” he says. “The workforce for printing seems to be getting older and older.”

EU Circular Economy Act: Packaging organizations debate Single Market protection

Packaging industry groups call for the Circular Economy Act to strengthen the EU Single Market and harmonize circular packaging rules. The European Environmental Bureau warns that market priorities must not weaken national environmental measures or waste-reduction policies. Debate centers on recycling targets, prevention, reuse policies, and recycled-content rules as the EU shapes future circular economy legislation.

AAA Fuel Gauge Report

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Key Currency Exchange Rates

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Why ‘Always Be Closing’ Is Bad Advice

For years, sales advice has glorified the close. ABC. Always Be Closing. We’ve all seen the movie clip. And many leaders still ask for more closing techniques, better closing lines, stronger closing pressure. Here’s the problem: In complex print sales, closing is rarely the real issue. If your team isn’t winning as often as they should, the breakdown is almost always upstream. It’s in prospecting. It’s in discovery. And most often, it’s in qualification. When your team slows down and qualifies hard — around pain, budget, internal alignment, and decision structure — closing becomes the natural next step. It feels collaborative, not confrontational. Predictable, not pressured.

Abercrombie & Fitch has strong year; to open 30 new stores

Abercrombie & Fitch maintained its momentum in the fourth quarter fueled by another strong performance from Hollister, and marked its 13th consecutive quarter of growth. The apparel retailer hit a key milestone in 2025, surpassing the $5 billion sales mark for the first time. It also continued to expanding its footprint, growing square footage by 4% year over year. For 2026, Abercrombie expects sales gains of 3% to 5% operating margin in the range of 12% to 12.5%, and net income per share in the range of $10.20 to $11. The company ended the year with 829 stores, including 523 Hollister stores and 306 namesake stores.

Ross Q4 sales jump, cites ‘very strong start’ to spring season; to open 110 stores

Ross Stores Inc. ended its year on a high note with better-than-expected earnings and sales amid traffic gains, and provided an upbeat outlook. The off-price giant added 90 stores during fiscal 2025 (80 new Ross Dress for Less and 10 DD’s Discounts), including its first-ever locations in the New York Metro area and Puerto Rico. The retailer is picking up the pace slightly this year, with plans to open 110 new stores, including 85 Ross stores and 25 DD’s Discounts.

Done Deal: Levi Strauss completes sale of Dockers

Dockers is under new ownership. Levi Strauss & Co. said is has closed its sale of the Dockers brand to Authentic Brands Group. The $311 million deal was first announced in May 2025. “The completion of this transaction sharpens LS&Co.’s focus on the Levi’s brand and Beyond Yoga, simplifying the portfolio and strengthening the company’s structural profitability,” the denim giant stated. Under the terms of the agreement, Authentic Brands will own Dockers’ intellectual property. The company has signed a licensing agreement with its long-standing partner, Centric Brands, which will serve as the operating partner for Dockers across key categories in the U.S. and Canada.

New RoRo traffic in the port of Piteå reduces emissions-SCA

Starting on 1 October 2026, SCA will implement changes to its sea transport using RoRo vessels (Roll-on/Roll-off) by reducing speed, increasing vessel load factors, and adjusting how the ports in Umeå and Piteå are used. One effect of these changes is that emissions from the vessels will be reduced by approximately 40 percent. Today, the vessels operate three times per week – twice to Kiel and once to London and Rotterdam. Under the new structure, there will be two weekly departures: once per week to Kiel and once per week to London and Rotterdam. The change means that the vessels will operate at a slower speed of 11–12 knots, compared with the current approximately 15 knots. Furthermore, the vessels will have a significantly higher load factor for northbound cargo. Southbound cargo that does not fit will be transferred to other solutions.

Brands find a partner for reducing plastic, improving recyclability and strengthening climate performance – with MM Group.

Across the UK, regulatory frameworks, retailer expectations and science-based climate targets are motivating brands to view fossil-based materials in the rear-view mirror. Circularity – once a strategic ambition – has become a commercial and operational priority. MM Group is supporting this shift with recyclable monomaterial cartonboard solutions designed to function within established paper and board recycling systems. By reducing plastic content in complex laminates and barriers, these formats simplify material structures while maintaining required strength, stability and product protection. By increasing the percentage of recycled fibres in packaging’s material mix, designers further strengthens circular material flows, supporting responsible resource use at industrial scale.

Smurfit Westrock creates retail store made entirely from cardboard

Smurfit Westrock joined forces with Spanish fashion brand Ecoalf to create a store made from 100% paper and cardboard. Ecoalf specialises in turning materials such as plastic bottles, rejected industrial cotton and discarded fishing nets into clothing. The brand tasked Smurfit Westrock, which also has circularity at its core, to create a permanent retail store as inherently sustainable as the products on sale. The beautifully designed new shop, which is located in San Sebastián, Spain, features fully recyclable kraft paper walls and corrugated furniture produced in the Smurfit Westrock Sorpel and Cordovilla plants. It also runs on electricity from renewable energy sources. “We are very proud to open our first store built entirely from paper and cardboard. At Ecoalf, we work every day to minimize our impact on the planet, not only through the garments we design, but also through the spaces we create,” said Javier Goyeneche, Founder and President of Ecoalf.

Target sales fall as its ends ‘challenging’ year;’ new CEO cites ‘momentum’

Target Corp.’s sales slump continued in the fourth quarter amid falling revenue and store traffic even as its adjusted earnings easily topped forecasts. But the discounter, which is looking to turn things around new CEO Michael Fiddelke, gave an upbeat sales outlook and noted that its sales and traffic accelerated in the last two months of the quarter. Fiddelke, who took the reins of the company on Feb. 1, also struck a positive regarding the current quarter. “Target saw a healthy, positive sales increase in February, serving as an important milestone on our path back to growth this year, and reinforcing my confidence in the momentum we're building and the future we're creating together,” Fiddelke said.

Toyo Ink Europe launches low-migration UV inks for food packaging

Toyo Ink Europe, the European energy-curing inks division of Japan’s Artience Group, has introduced a complete lineup of UV curable inks consisting of low-migration and low-energy solutions designed for food-safe packaging. The solution was developed to meet migration limits as mandated under the German Printing Ink Ordinance (GIO). Toyo Ink aims to create innovations that exceed the key safety benchmarks in Europe before they become mandatory. “Toyo Ink Europe’s GIO-compliant inks combine low-migration chemistry with low-energy UV/LED curing to deliver strong, consistent color, excellent adhesion on flexible substrates, and low odour characteristics for food packaging,”

Retail brands want their tariff money back

Major apparel retailers are among those that have filed lawsuits specifically for refunds, with interest, related to IEEPA since the Supreme Court began hearing oral arguments, per court filings reviewed by Retail Dive. Those companies include Kohls Inc., PacSun, J Crew Group, Uniqlo’s U.S. entity and Abercrombie and Fitch Trading Co.

Ahlstrom to Close Pulp Mill and Two Paper Machines at Former Consolidate Mill in Stevens Point Wisconsin

Ahlstrom on Feb. 27 filed a WARN letter with Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development stating that it plans to close the pulp mill and two paper machines — M2 and M3 — at its mill site located at 100 Main Street, Mosinee, Wisconsin. The closings will take place or begin starting on June 30, 2026. In the letter, Ahlstrom said, "We expect the closing of the Pulp Mill and the M2 and M3 paper machines to be permanent in nature. This closing will involve cessation of all operations and termination of the identified areas. The number of affected employees is approximately 21 salary and a significant number of hourly positions that will not be certain until after effects bargaining."

PCA CEO says $5.2B worth of investments will pay off in 2026

Packaging Corporation of America CEO Mark Kowlzan detailed the impact of investments over the last decade, where energy projects are set to occur, and his optimism for nearshoring. Packaging Corporation of America’s $5.2 billion worth of investments in its mills and box plants over the last decade — at a time when it says many competitors didn’t commit to such investments — is paying off now, said CEO Mark Kowlzan on Feb. 26 during the Bank of America Securities 2026 Global Agriculture and Materials Conference. “The industry hasn’t recapitalized at the rates that we have,” he said. Kowlzan said he predicted in 2018 that “if you were not prepared to take care of your own technical and engineering needs, your own capital spending needs, you would be out of business probably in 20 years,” he said. “That was, say, eight years ago. And look what’s happening to the industry.”

International Paper CEO pulls back the curtain on planned geographic split

International Paper wants to “liberate” its “two regional powerhouses” with the planned split into one North America and one Europe-focused company, CEO Andy Silvernail discussed Thursday morning at the Bank of America Securities 2026 Global Agriculture and Materials Conference. “When I joined the company, my goal was to turn this into exclusively a packaging business,” said Silvernail, who became CEO in 2024 following a background in private equity and other manufacturing and technology companies. IP accomplished that with the $1.5 billion sale last year of its global cellulose fibers business, he said. While IP has good positions in both the North America and EMEA markets, “they really don’t have anything to do with each other,” he said. “That really started my thinking around then they shouldn’t be together.”

Retail sales posted 3.7% growth in 2025

Holiday shopping and events such as Prime Day and Black Friday made up for lackluster spring and summer sales performance at retail, moving overall retail sales up by nearly 4%, according to a 2025 Recap Report from Colliers Retail Market Intelligence. Volume growth, however, softened meaningfully (often below 1%) due to increasingly cautious consumer behavior. Shopper reliance on promotions, credit card usage, and value channels “underscored a consumer who remained active — yet highly selective,” read the report. Consumers were guarding their pocketbooks last year. Foot traffic was highest at discount and dollars stores, with a 5% year-over-year rise to nearly 320 million visits.

How the Shelf Got Smarter and Our Jobs Got Easier

When you work in a Walmart store, you learn that every minute matters for customers wanting to get in and out quickly and for associates juggling dozens of tasks to keep things running smoothly. That’s why digital shelf labels, or DSLs, have been such a meaningful upgrade in our stores. Today, roughly 2,300 Walmart U.S. locations are already using digital shelf labels, and we expect this technology to be chain-wide within the next year. For our associates, that expansion can’t come soon enough.

Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia was proof that leadership might not always be something you choose

Even if you don’t sign up for the position, you still might have to take the leadership seat. The recent passing of Bob Weir, The Grateful Dead’s longtime rhythm guitarist and songwriter, sparked a conversation on leadership in a recent gathering. Although Weir held the band together for decades, his death inevitably turned the discussion to the shadow he often stood in—that of the band’s creative center, Jerry Garcia. Garcia was the band’s natural leader. However, he never wanted or took that seat. (A move I certainly can relate to, but that’s another column for another day.) A strong distaste for authority and decision-making meant leadership in a vacuum. That meant organizational dysfunction, financial chaos, a lack of direction, and other fundamental issues. This was all despite making music that has endured for decades and inspired future generations. Garcia’s problems aren’t unlike the problems many leaders today face. Leadership may be something you didn’t ask for. But sometimes, you have to face the music.

Direct Mail Elevation and the Art of Interruption

Have you ever had a piece of direct mail in your hands, maybe for a campaign that you did for a customer, or simply received at home, that really stopped you in your tracks? Maybe it made you notice it for some physical quality. Or a blazing headline across the front. Or even a clever use of marketing technology. That’s the power of interruption, that voice in your head that says, “Hold up, I’ll get my kid from soccer practice in a second. Let’s see what’s in this envelope.” Our routines and conversations, whether we have them with others or ourselves, can be interrupted by anything. A barking dog, a crying baby, a smoke alarm — or a well-crafted direct mail piece. The challenge is how to interrupt. Even in a less-crowded mailbox, it’s not enough to simply show up and hope to be noticed.

Sheridan Launches Digital Select™ — The Next Era of Flexible Short-Run Printing

Sheridan, a leading provider of print and publishing solutions, announced the launch of Digital Select™, its proprietary next-generation print-on-demand (POD) solution designed to give publishers greater flexibility in short-run and ultra-short-run production. Powered by Sheridan Select™, Sheridan’s proprietary automated central print management system, Digital Select™ enables publishers to print from 1 to 2,500 copies with expedited turnaround times, professional-grade quality, and dedicated service support. As publishers continue shifting toward zero-inventory and digital-first strategies, the need for flexible, reliable short-run production has grown. Digital Select addresses that need by allowing publishers to print exactly what they need, when they need it — reducing warehousing costs, minimizing forecasting risk, and keeping titles continuously available.

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