Resources

January 20, 2015 Residential remodeling is set for modest growth in 2015, according to experts at a press conference hosted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers at the International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Las Vegas.  Remodelers appearing on the panel agreed with the forecast, citing home owners’ changing demographics and increased financial... Read more »

January 15, 2015 As the broader housing market continues its sluggish recovery, growth in home improvement spending is also expected to soften throughout the coming year, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) released by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.  The LIRA projects annual... Read more »

January 15, 2015 The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a record high result of 60 in the final quarter of 2014.  A reading of 60 indicates remodelers’ confidence in the quarter-over-quarter improvement in the remodeling market. An RMI above 50 indicates that more remodelers report market activity is higher... Read more »

January 15, 2015 Just six months after being named chairman and CEO of Target, Brian Cornell is pulling the plug on the retailer’s 133 unit Canadian operation and will incur a $5.4 billion pre-tax loss in the fourth quarter to do so. Target said it plans to discontinue operating stores in Canada through its indirect... Read more »

Many retailers have followed up their holiday 2014 sales results with announcements of store closings. Analysts believe these announcements are just the beginning of a “retail earthquake hitting America”. “Because of the changes in buying habits of U.S. consumers, as a result of the continuing hesitancy to spend, the 2014 holiday season was not sufficiently... Read more »

January 14, 2015 Confident consumers stocked up on gifts and other merchandise over the 2014 holiday season, helping boost overall holiday retail sales to their highest level since 2011. According to the National Retail Federation, December retail sales, which exclude automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, decreased 0.9% seasonally adjusted month-to-month, and 4.6% unadjusted year-over-year.  The... Read more »

Stage Stores, who operate under store banners such a Beall’s, Goody’s, Palais Royal, Peebles and Stage, offers moderately priced brand name apparel, accessories, cosmetics and footwear. They are reporting a strong holiday sales season for 2014. Official fourth quarter and full year 2014 results will be reported March 3, but Stage is reporting same store... Read more »

January 9, 2015 Retail industry employment increased by 2,000 jobs in December as healthy hiring gains in general merchandise and sporting goods stores were offset by declines in clothing and furniture stores, the National Retail Federation said today.  Retail employment for 2014 climbed by 176,000 jobs over the year before, according to NRF’s calculations, which... Read more »

January 12, 2015 The Conference Board Employment Trends Index (ETI) increased in December.  The index now stands at 128.43, up from 127.83 in November.  This represents a 7.5 percent gain in the ETI compared to a year ago. “The Employment Trends Index increased in every single month of 2014, capping the year off with strong... Read more »