Retail Industry Added 27,000 Jobs In July

August 1, 2014 The National Retail Federation calculated retail industry (excluding autos and gasoline) employment increased by 27,000 jobs in July.  NRF calculated that retail gained 232,000 jobs year-over-year.  The healthy and steady increase in retail employment was due to improved economic and seasonal factors in the second quarter and should provide for stronger growth in… Read more »

Strong Job Growth Sustained During The Summer

August 1, 2014 The economy generated a gain of 209,000 jobs in July, very close to the average of more than 200,000 per month over the past year.  This means that the trend in employment growth, which supported stellar second quarter GDP growth and strong consumer and business confidence, is holding up for now.  The… Read more »

Fastest Growing Retailers In The U.S.

August 1, 2014 At first glance the list of the nation’s fastest growing retailers appears to be more of a hodgepodge of industry sectors than evidence of a single, defined trend.  From grocery conglomerates and discount specialty stores to home furnishing and athletic wear companies, the top players on STORES’ Hot 100 Retailers List run… Read more »

Brian Cornell Named Chairman And CEO At Target

July 31, 2014 Retail and consumer products veteran Brian Cornell was named chairman and CEO at Target to fill two of the three roles previously held by the company’s former top executive Gregg Steinhafel. Cornell will assume his new responsibilities at Target on August 12 after most recently serving as CEO of PepsiCo Americas Foods… Read more »

Q2 GDP: Rebound Exceeds Expectations

July 30, 2014 The U.S. Census Bureau of Economic Analysis today reported 4.0 percent annualized growth in real Gross Domestic Product for the second quarter of 2014. Some of the past quarter’s growth performance reflects a catch-up from the dismal first quarter performance.  But this stellar growth figure also suggests that the economy has gained… Read more »

Weather Trends: August 2014

July 28, 2014 WTI expects August 2014 temperatures to trend similar to last year for the U.S. as a whole.  Much of the East will trend warmer than last year with the Southeast also trending warmer than normal.  Summer clearance promotions will see the biggest returns during the first three weeks of the retail month… Read more »

Lowe’s To Build Customer Support Center In Indy

July 22, 2014 Lowe’s plans to build a customer support center in Indianapolis, a move that will create up to 1,000 new jobs by 2016. The world’s second largest home improvement retailer plans to invest $20.5 million to purchase, renovate and equip a 140,000 sq. ft. office facility at Intech Park 12, 6620 Network Way,… Read more »

Remodeler Confidence Regains Momentum

July 24, 2014 The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) rose three points to 56 in the second quarter of 2014, regaining the momentum built in 2013.  This is the fifth consecutive quarter for an RMI reading above 50. An RMI above 50 indicates that more remodelers report market activity is… Read more »