Brazil's Tile Industry Gets its Fashion Week
São Paulo, Brazil, March 14, 2007--According to Brazzil Magazine, the Brazilian ceramic tile industry exported last year a total of US$ 429.7 million to 129 countries, an increase of 14.3% over 2005.
Today's Flooring News
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Pfleiderer Reaches Nearly 99% of Pergo Shares
Munich, Germany, March 14, 2007--By the end of the extended acceptance period and including shares acquired in the open market, Pfleiderer Sweden's said its holding in Pergo have reached approximately 99 per cent of the shares and votes in Pergo.
Columnist Criticizes Home Depot Service
New York, March 14, 2007--A syndicated business column on MSN.com's finance site criticizing Home Depot’s customer service hit such a nerve with readers it prompted the largest number of reader responses in the site's history.
NAR: Housing Recovery Likely This Year
Washington, DC, March 13, 2007--Unusual weather patterns and problems in the subprime lending marketplace are creating challenges in assessing housing market conditions, according to the National Association of Realtors.
New Foreclosures Set Record
Washington, DC, March 13, 2007--Many more homeowners were unable to keep up with their mortgage payments in the fourth quarter, the Mortgage Bankers Association said Tuesday, with the rate of homes entering the foreclosure process hitting a record 0.54%.
Inventories Increase in January
Washington, DC, March 13, 2007--Business inventories grew again in January after a one-month drawdown in December, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday.
NRF Distributors Announce Layoffs
Augusta, MA, March 13, 2007--NRF Distributors, a major distributor of flooring in New England, laid off 42 people Monday, citing sales declines from a softening real estate market.
Weekly Chain Store Sales Up 2.1% from Year Ago
New York, NY, March 13, 2007--Chain store sales for the week ended March 10 rose 2.1% from the year-ago period, the International Council of Shopping Centers, Inc. and UBS Securities said in a survey released on Tuesday.
Retail Sales Up 0.1% in February
Washington, DC, March 13, 2007--Retail rose 0.1% in February after remaining flat in January, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday.
Survey: CEOs See Improved Economic Growth
Washington, DC, March 13, 2007--Small and mid-sized companies are optimistic about the U.S. economy's prospects in 2007 on the back of brisk first-quarter sales and increased revenue, according to a survey released on Tuesday.