Consumer Prices Flat in September
Washington, DC, Oct. 16, 2008--Consumer prices were flat last month as gasoline costs and falling prices for clothes and new cars offset increases elsewhere.
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.
Small Business Optimism at Recession Level
Washington, DC, Oct. 15, 2008--The National Federation of Independent Business Index of Small Business Optimism rose 1.8 points to 92.9 in September, continuing one of the longest strings of recession-level readings in the history of the survey.
Initial Jobless Claims Fall But Benefit Rolls Rise
Washington, DC, Oct. 16, 2008--Initial jobless claims in the U.S. fell last week as job losses related to the Gulf Coast hurricanes subsided, while total benefit rolls rose to the highest level in five years.
Gloomy Retail Sales Report Worse Than Expected
Washington, DC, Oct. 15, 2008--Retail sales suffered their steepest decline in three years last month, as U.S. households reined in spending amid a tough job market, the financial crisis and falling home values.
Oil Prices Continue To Fall on Recession Worries
Vienna, Austria--Oil prices hit a 14-month low Thursday as bad U.S. economic news stoked fears that a significant global economic slowdown will undermine demand for crude.
INSTALL Will Be Active at Surfaces 2009
Las Vegas, NV, Oct. 16, 2008--The International Standards and Training Alliance (INSTALL) will be an active participant at Surfaces 2009 with demonstrations and seminars to help attendees better understand professional installation.
Home Centers To Gain as Competitors Go Under
New York, NY, Oct. 15, 2008--Home Depot Inc. and Lowe's Cos. may increase sales as retailers in the home-improvement industry consolidate or close.
Wholesale Prices Fall in September
Washington, DC, Oct. 15, 2008--Wholesale prices for finished goods fell in September on lower fuel costs, in their second consecutive month-over-month decline.
Tacony, Oreck Vacuums Get CRI Gold Approval
Dalton, GA, Oct. 16, 2008--A total of 26 new vacuum cleaners have earned the Carpet and Rug Institute's designation as Green Label/Seal of Approval vacuum cleaners.
USFloors Set To Open First U.S. Bamboo, Cork Plant
Dalton, GA, Oct. 15, 2008--With the year-end opening of its cork and bamboo flooring manufacturing facility in Dalton, USFloors said it will be the only manufacturer of cork and bamboo flooring in the U.S.