New Home Sales Down In March

April 23, 2014 Sales of newly built, single-family homes fell 14.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 384,000 units in March, according to data released today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. “We keep hearing from our members that tight credit conditions are preventing many… Read more »

Retailers Ready For Solid Second Quarter

April 18, 2014 Those looking to understand how the retail industry will perform in the second quarter and beyond can gain an interesting perspective from the outlook shared by one of the world’s largest diversified packaging companies. First quarter sales in the display and packaging division at Sonoco increased 6% to $153 million and operating… Read more »

Economic Highlights For The Week Ahead – April 21

April 21, 2014 Last Week: With winter weather in the rearview mirror, the big question now is how much bounce will demand get – with shoppers finally able to get out and about.  Weather may be the big reason why the economy underperformed in the first quarter.  Good weather may be the reason why the… Read more »

Builder Confidence Holds Steady In April

April 15, 2014 Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes rose one point to 47 in April from a downwardly revised March reading of 46 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. “Builder confidence has been in a holding pattern the past three months,” said… Read more »

Housing Starts Rise 2.8 Percent In March

April 16, 2014 Led by a 6 percent rise in single-family starts, nationwide housing production rose 2.8 percent above an upwardly revised February rate of 920,000 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 946,000 units in March, according to newly released figures from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau. “We see improving signs of new-home… Read more »

Economic Highlights For The Week Ahead – April 14

April 14, 2014 Last week: During a quiet week with relatively little news, the drop in stock prices garnered headlines, even as corporate profit reporting gets underway.  There seems to be a little more retail activity in early spring, as the wet, cold winter fades into memory.  And forecasts continue to reflect optimism that the… Read more »

Home Depot Looks To Win With Water Initiative

April 14, 2014 To help customers save water and grow its sales in the process, Home Depot will execute a massive customer education initiative later this month. Home Depot regularly holds in store clinics to arm customers with knowledge to tackle home improvement projects, and its newest initiative applies that thought process to a less… Read more »

So Long Winter. Retail Sales Spring Up In March

April 14, 2014 Warmer spring weather spurred continued consumer spending and activity this March.  According to the National Retail Federation, March retail sales, which exclude automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, increased 0.8% adjusted month-to-month and 1.6% unadjusted year-over-year. “Consumers shed their winter coats last month for fresh, spring merchandise,” NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay… Read more »