Nonfarm Employment Up by 236,000, Unemployment Steady at 3.5%
Washington, DC, May 5, 2023—Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 236,000 in March, and the unemployment rate changed little at 3.5%, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
Today's Flooring News
Keep up to date with the most recent news in the flooring industry. Today's News...As it happens! We update this news several times a day so you can stay connected.
Coverings 2023 Attendance Rose 50% YOY
Arlington, VA, May 3, 2023––Organizers of Coverings, the largest international ceramic tile and natural stone event in North America, have announced that Coverings 2023 exceeded expectations with a vigorous 50% year-over-year increase in attendance, totaling nearly 27,000 eventgoers who gathered April 18 to 21 at the Orange County Convention Center, in Orlando, Florida.
Fed Raises Interest Rates to 16-Year High
Washington, DC, May 4, 2023—"Federal Reserve officials signaled they might be done raising interest rates for now after approving another increase at their meeting that concluded Wednesday,” reports the Wall Street Journal.
Trade Deficit Narrowed by $6.4B in March
Washington, DC, May 4, 2023—The goods and services deficit was $64.2 billion in March, down $6.4 billion from $70.6 billion in February, revised, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced.
USTC Seizes SPC for Unilin Patent Infringement
Waregem, Belgium, May 4, 2023—In April 2023, the U.S. International Trade Commission again ordered to seize and forfeit containers of infringing SPC products, this time imported by a company from Toronto.
Shaw Names Annie Cowart VP of Residential Marketing
Dalton, GA, May 4, 2023-Shaw Industries announces that Annie Cowart has joined the company’s residential division as the vice president of marketing.
Windmoeller Names Cole Director of Sustainability & Tech Services
Atlanta, GA, May 4, 2023—Windmoeller, inventor of ecuran bio-based polyurethane flooring, announce the appointment of Tim Cole as the director of sustainability and technical services for North America.
Labor Productivity Declined 2.7% in Q1
Washington, DC, May 4, 2023—Nonfarm business sector labor productivity decreased 2.7% in Q1 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported, as output increased 0.2% and hours worked increased 3.0%.
Initial Jobless Claims Rose by 13,000 in Week Ending April 29
Washington, DC, May 4, 2023—In the week ending April 29, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 242,000, an increase of 13,000 from the previous week's revised level, according to the Deparment of Labor.
NWFA 2023 Wood Flooring Expo Underway Now in Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI, May 3, 2023-Speaking at the kickoff for the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) Expo, which runs May 2 to 4, the organization's president and CEO, Michael Martin, reported that roughly 40% of members anticipate an increase in sales this year-led by a contingent forecasting more than 8% growth-while another nearly 40% expect sales to be flat. Only 5% are worried about sales being down significantly, he said.