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July 31, 2014 In June 2014, annual inflation as measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) declined in the U.S. and Japan, but was mixed across Euro Area countries compared. Although inflation remained steady in the Euro Area as a whole, price growth slowed in Belgium (from 0.8 to 0.7 percent), France (from... Read more »

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 »

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 »

July 29, 2014 The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had improved in June, increased in July.  The Index now stands at 90.9, up from 86.4 in June.  The Present Situation Index increased to 88.3 from 86.3, while the Expectations Index rose to 92.7 from 86.4 in June. Says Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators... Read more »

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 »

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 »

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 »

July 28, 2014 Dollar Tree said it would acquire Family Dollar in a transformational cash and stock deal valued at $8.5 billion to create a company with more than 13,000 stores and annual sales of $18 billion. The deal was unanimously approved by the boards of both companys and involves Dollar Tree paying Family Dollar... Read more »

July 24, 2014 Supervalu posted $5.23 billion in net sales for the first quarter, a decrease of 0.1% from $5.24 billion last year; but president and CEO Sam Duncan expressed confidence in the company’s performance, saying it is off to a solid start across business segments. “Our first quarter results reflect the investments we are... Read more »