Starting in April 2024, Diamond Comic Distributors will charge a flat rate of 3% of retail cost for standard shipping, and the freight charge will appear on the same invoice as the products being shipped.  The changes were announced by Geppi Family Enterprises Chief Sales and Service Officer Chris Powell during Diamond’s presentation at the ComicsPRO 2024 Comics Industry Conference. Diamond had already cut freight costs by 40% in 2023, after negotiating a new deal with UPS (see “Diamond Addresses Competitive Issues”).  The new flat freight program applies to all categories with the exception of some bulky or oversized items; higher shipping costs will be indicated on the solicitation for those products.

BOOM! Studios will continue its freight rebate program, offering 2% off on all orders of BOOM! products, which, as Filip Sablik, President of Publishing & Marketing, pointed out, brings freight costs down to 1% of retail for BOOM! products.

Christina Merkler, Co-Owner of Lunar Distribution, announced that Lunar will now accept affidavit returns for DC Comics, Image Comics, Oni Press, Magma and Vault Comics, which the crowd greeted with applause.

In the Penguin Random House presentation, Director of Comic Market Sales Tyne Hunter and VP of Customer Operations & Strategy Jess Wells reviewed improvements made over the past year, including upgrading comics packaging, making series order history and statements available on their business site, and producing a printed catalog (this announcement was also met with applause), which serves as a resource for retailers, with lists of read-alikes and recommendations for new readers as well as a product listings.  They also have updated and enhanced their website to make ordering and accounting easier for retailers.