Chain Store Sales Tick Up
New York, NY, Aug. 11, 2009--Chain store sales edged up for the week that ended Aug. 8.
Today's Flooring News
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Small Business Optimism Down, Survey Shows
Washington, DC, Aug. 11, 2009--The National Federation of Independent Business monthly Small Business Economic Trends survey showed that small business owner optimism fell 1.3 points to 86.5, producing the second monthly decline in a row.
Productivity Up Most in Six Years
Washington, DC, Aug. 11, 2009--U.S. productivity in the second quarter rose at its fastest pace in six years as companies slashed costs to protect profits, government data showed on Tuesday.
More Mortgage Holders Likely To Be Underwater
New York, NY, Aug. 11, 2009--Almost 25 percent of U.S. mortgage holders owed more than their homes were worth in the second quarter and that figure may rise to as much as 30 percent by mid-2010 as job losses and foreclosures climb, Zillow.com said.
Fed Likely To Focus on Commercial Real Estate
Washington, DC, Aug. 10, 2009--The collapse in commercial real estate is becoming one of the biggest drags on a budding economic recovery.
Shaw Hardwood in House Beautiful Kitchen of Year
New York, NY, Aug. 10, 2009--House Beautiful once again selected Shaw Floors to be a participating sponsor of its second annual “Kitchen of the Year” at New York’s Rockefeller Plaza July 20-24.
Unemployment Rate Dip Is First in 15 Months
Washington, DC, Aug. 7, 2009--U.S. employers cutting 247,000 jobs in July, the fewest in a year, and the unemployment rate dipped to 9.4 percent, its first decline in 15 months.
Interest in Remodeling Shows Signs of Picking Up
Washington, DC, Aug. 6, 2009--Residential remodeling showed modest gains during the second quarter, with increases in all indicators, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders Remodeling Market Index.
Economists Predict Subdued Recovery, Growth in '10
Washington, DC, Aug. 10, 2009--Economic forecasters say the recession will end this quarter, but most also believe a U.S. recovery will be subdued, according to the monthly survey of economists by Blue Chip Economic Indicators.
Shaw Earnings Slip on Lower Sales Volume
Omaha, NE, Aug. 10, 2009--Berkshire Hathaway reported net after-tax profit of $3.295 billion for the second quarter, or $2,123 per class A share.