Jobless Claims Off 1,000
Washington, DC, September 8--First-time claims for state unemployment benefits fell by 1,000 to 319,000 last week, the Labor Department estimated Thursday.
Today's Flooring News
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Wholesale Inventories Off in July
Washington, DC, September 8--Inventories at wholesalers fell 0.1% in July, according to the Commerce Department.
Study: Hard Surface Flooring Demand Expected to Re
Cleveland, OH, September 8--Demand for hard surface flooring is projected to advance 5.5 percent per annum through 2009 to 11.7 billion square feet, a slight acceleration over the 1999 to 2004 period.
Economy Was Growing Pre-Katrina
Washington, DC, September 8--The economy was in relatively good shape before Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast, the Fed's Beige Book survey of current economic conditions showed Wednesday.
Sears 2Q Earnings Up, Lacy Out as CEO
Hoffman Estates, IL, September 8---Sears Holdings, the retailer formed when Kmart bought Sears, reported a 4.5 percent increase in earnings in the second quarter to $161 million from $154 million a year earlier.
Hovnanian 3Q Earnings Miss Estimates
Red Bank, NJ, September 8—Upscale homebuilder Hovnanian Enterprises reported third quarter earnings that missed analysts' forecasts.
Chain Stores Sales Flat Last Week
New York, NY, September 7--Chain store retail sales were flat in the latest week as the effects of Hurricane Katrina began to be felt, a report said on Wednesday.
IICRC Technician Educates Consumers on Radio Show
Vancouver, WA, September 7--While Jeff Bishop, Technical Advisor of the IICRC, spends much of his time teaching and training professionals in the cleaning and restoration industry, he also speaks to consumers about the same issues that affect them and the
Specter Hopes for October Vote on Asbestos Bill
Washington, DC, September 7--The co-author of a bill to create a $140 billion asbestos compensation fund said on Tuesday he hoped it would come to the Senate floor during the first week of October.
New Orleans Devastation Could Slow Other Ports
Washington, DC, September 7--Hurricane Katrina’s devastation at the Port of New Orleans isn’t expected to have a major impact on the maritime shipment of retail goods, but could cause slowdowns in railroad operations that will make it take longer to move