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October 23, 2014 The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. increased 0.8 percent in September to 104.4, following no change in August, and a 1.1 percent increase in July. “The LEI picked up in September, after no change in August, and the strengths among its components have been very widespread over the... Read more »

October 23, 2014 The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) reclaimed the high-water mark of 57 in the third quarter of 2014.  This is the sixth consecutive quarter for an RMI reading above 50. An RMI above 50 indicates that more remodelers report market activity is higher (compared to the prior... Read more »

October 13, 2014 Home Depot EVP Marvin Ellison will become president of J.C. Penney on November 1 and succeed Mike Ullman as CEO of the department store retailer next August. Ellison, 49, is an interesting choice for a retailer focused on apparel and accessories given his extensive background in operations as opposed to merchandising.  He... Read more »

October 16, 2014 Supervalu president and CEO Sam Duncan is encouraged with the progress the retailer is making and why not.  Identical store sales in the company’s Save-A-Lot units were up 6.5% in the second quarter. The company’s total sales for the period ended September 6, increased 1.8% to $4.02 billion while profits declined to... Read more »

October 16, 2014 Even if Dollar General doesn’t prevail in its efforts to acquire Family Dollar, the company’s expanding distribution infrastructure is positioned to support future growth. Dollar General said it plans to build the 13th distribution center in its nationwide network in San Antonio.  The facility will measure more than 900,000 sq. ft., employ... Read more »

October 17, 2014 For the third time this year, nationwide housing starts surpassed the million-mark, according to newly released figures from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.  Total housing production in September rose 6.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.017 million units. “These numbers show... Read more »

Average shopper to do 44% of their holiday shopping online, most in survey’s history. October 16, 2014 It’s the most wonderful time of the year for millions of Americans, and according to the National Retail Federation’s Holiday Consumer Spending Survey, gift recipients are in for a real treat this holiday season.  NRF’s survey found the... Read more »

October 16, 2014 Reflecting the slow pace of recovery in the overall housing market, the home remodeling industry is expected to continue its path of moderating growth, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) released today by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.  The LIRA... Read more »

October 15, 2014 A delayed start to the shopping season is causing consumers to postpone their holiday purchases until Thanksgiving weekend. Sixteen percent of consumers had already started their holiday shopping, versus 15% last year.  An additional 19% stated they plan to start shopping before Thanksgiving, compared to 22% last year.  However, 18% claim they... Read more »