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.

NRF Urges Passage of Business Activity Tax Bill

Washington, DC, July 26, 2006--The National Retail Federation today urged the House to approve legislation that would limit states’ ability to impose business activity taxes on out-of-state companies.

Chain Store Sales Up Last Week

New York, NY, July 25, 2006--Chain store sales rose in the latest week as shopping ahead of the school term boosted activity, according to a report on Tuesday.

A Carpet That Gauges Age and Gender?

Tokyo, Japan, July 25, 2006--A research team at Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology has developed a sensor carpet that can categorize people by age and gender.

Maryland Retailer Expands

Urbana, MD, July 24, 2006--The owners of one of the oldest flooring companies in Montgomery County are opening a branch in Urbana this fall.

AmericasMart Announces ROY Awards

Atlanta, GA, July 25, 2006—Winners of the 13th annual Retailer of the Year (ROY) awards were announced at the July 2006 Atlanta International Area Rug Market, which was co-sponsored by the Oriental Rug Retailers of America (ORRA).

Leggett & Platt Earnings Up

Carthage, MO, July 21, 2006--Leggett & Platt Inc., with a year's worth of steep restructuring costs behind it, said its second-quarter profit rose 6.3% from a year ago and nudged up the lower end of its 2006 earnings forecast.

Jobless Claims Fall Last Week

Washington, DC, July 20, 2006--New claims for jobless benefits fell 30,000 to 304,000 in the week ended July 15, from a an upwardly revised 334,000 new applications in the previous week, the Labor Department said.

Bernanke: Slower Growth will Reduce Inflation

Washington, DC, July 20, 2006--Rising oil and other prices remain a concern but Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke is counting on moderating economic activity to get inflation under control.