Resources

April 23, 2014 Many economic discussions – especially those following the Great Recession – have focused on the short-term or immediate economy, particularly in regard to the labor market. However, longer term issues regarding investments, hiring and other business decisions cannot be lost in our thinking about the economy and its direction.  While most of... Read more »

May 1, 2014 For 11 years now, the National Retail Federation has gauged consumers’ spending intentions on America’s favorite holidays like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Halloween and of course, Christmas. During that time, Halloween has grown to become one of the most popular holidays of the year, average spending on back-to-school items has increased 31 percent... Read more »

April 29, 2014 After splurging on tablets and smartphones, beauty supplies, apparel and jewelry for mom last year, consumers this year will celebrate Mother’s Day keeping practicality in mind.  According to NRF’s Mother’s Day Spending Survey, Americans will spend an average of $162.94 on mom this year, down from a survey high of $168.94 last... Read more »

May 1, 2014 Rite Aid posted $2 billion for the four weeks ended April 26, representing a lift of 4.9%.  Same-store sales increased 5% over the prior-year period. April front-end same-store sales increased 4.7%, with 4.6% of the increase attributable to a shift in the timing of Easter, which fell on April 20 this year,... Read more »

May 1, 2014 New Orders, Employment and Production Growing; Inventories Growing; Supplier Deliveries Slowing Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in April for the 11th consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 59th consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.  The report was issued today by... Read more »

May 1, 2014 American workers have endured six years of depleted wealth, stagnant wages, and general insecurity.  But their fortunes are about to change, according to a surprising new study from The Conference Board.  ‘From a Buyer’s Market to a Seller’s Market’ predicts unemployment in the United States – currently 6.7 percent and falling rapidly... Read more »

April 29, 2014 Lowe’s and Porch.com have expanded their strategic partnership to the more than 1,700 Lowe’s home improvement stores across the U.S. Every Lowe’s store in the country now features Porch as the in-store resource to help homeowners find the right home improvement professionals for nearly any project outside of Lowe’s current installation services. ... Read more »

April 30, 2014 The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis today reported 0.1 percent annualized growth in real Gross Domestic Product for the first quarter of 2014. Economic growth in the first quarter was disappointing, beyond the anticipated slowdown related to the brutal winter weather conditions affecting major parts of the nation.  Based on these preliminary... Read more »

April 29, 2014 The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had increased in March, declined slightly in April.  The Index now stands at 82.3, down from 83.9 in March.  The Present Situation Index decreased to 78.3 from 82.5, while the Expectations Index was virtually unchanged at 84.9 versus 84.8 in March. “Consumer confidence declined slightly... Read more »