Today's Flooring News

CTEF Adds Two New Training and Education Programs

Pendleton, SC, January 5, 2023—The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) has newly expanded training and education for professionals in the ceramic tile and stone industry for 2023.

CFI Holding Installation Training Event at TISE for Sales Professionals

Dalton, GA, January 5, 2023—Certified Flooring Installers (CFI), which celebrates its 30th year in business, is kicking off its carpet installation technical certification program for sales professionals at The International Surface Event on January 31 and February 1, 9:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the CFI Booth, #6663.

Inept Government Paperwork Could Lead to Big China Tariff Refund

Arlington, VA, January 4, 2023—"U.S. companies have handed over nearly $161 billion to the government because of former President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods,” according to Politico Pro. “If a long running court case pays off in early 2023, they could eventually get a big chunk of that money back.

Mortgage Applications Declined 13.2% in Week Ending Dec. 30

Washington, DC, January 4, 2023—Mortgage applications decreased 13.2% from two weeks earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending December 30, 2022.

Job Openings Nearly Flat at 10.5 Million in November

Washington, DC, January 4, 2023—The number of job openings was little changed at 10.5 million on the last business day of November, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

Construction Spending Rose 0.2% in November

Washington, DC, January 3, 2023—Construction spending during November 2022 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,807.5 billion, 0.2% above the revised October estimate of $1,803.2 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

IIDA Announces Finalists of 2022 Global Excellence Awards

Chicago, IL, December 15, 2022-IIDA has announced the finalists of the 2022 IIDA Global Excellence Awards, which honor innovation and creativity in international interior design and interior architecture projects across 12 categories.

PMI Dips Slightly to 49% in November

Tempe, AZ, January 3, 2022- The November Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) registered 49%, 1.2 percentage points lower than the 50.2% recorded in October, according to the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.

Consumer Spending Softened Before Holidays

Washington, DC, January 3, 2023—"The U.S. economy showed fresh signs of slowing late this year as consumer spending and business demand softened and inflation eased,” reports the Wall Street Journal.

More Companies Requiring a Return to Office in 2023

Washington, DC, January 3, 2023—"Companies including investment giant Vanguard Group, workplace technology company Paycom Software Inc. and others have sent directives to employees in recent weeks, urging workers to follow existing hybrid schedules or to come into the office on additional days in 2023, according to internal memos viewed by The Wall Street Journal and interviews with employees. In some cases, bosses have told those who fail to comply that they could face termination within weeks.”