Newssstand is a special folder, introduced with iOS 5, that collects, keeps, and updates all the subscription-based magazine, newspaper, and periodical content available in the App Store. Newsstand also provides quick and easy access to the Newsstand section of the App Store, and allows for background downloads so, when you open the app, the latest issue can be there waiting for you.
With iOS 7, Newsstand lost the ability to show the periodicals inside its folder, getting a static, more app-like icon instead, but gained the ability to be hidden away inside other folders. Since non-Newsstand apps also gained background update abilities, the value of Newsstand, and Newsstand apps, has come into questions.
