Jobless Claims Up 32,000
Washington, DC, November 23, 2005--Initial claims for state unemployment insurance rose 32,000, reaching 335,000, their highest level in a month in the week ended Nov. 19, the Labor Department said Wednesday.
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.
Help-Wanted Ad Index Unchanged
New York, NY, November 23, 2005--The Conference Board Help-Wanted Advertising Index – a key measure of job offerings in major newspapers across America – was unchanged in October.
Mohawk Hardwood to Offer Exclusive 3M Scotchgard
Dalton, GA, November 23, 2005--One of the primary reasons that consumers buy hardwood flooring is because of its easy cleaning and maintenance. And thanks to a partnership between Mohawk and Scotchgard, cleanup just got even easier.
Home Loan Applications Off
New York, November 23, 2005--Mortgage applications fell last week, dragged down by a slump in home refinancings which hit a 16-month low as interest rates remained close to their highest levels this year, industry trade group figures showed on Wednesday.
UK Carpetmaker Victoria’s 1H Earnings Off
London, England, November 23, 2005--Intense competition and higher oil prices sapped first half profit at carpet maker Victoria.
AstroTurf Incorporates AlphaSan Antimicrobial Into
Dalton, GA, November 22, 2005--A highly effective antimicrobial agent found in fabrics, bathroom fixtures and the linings inside ice machines has found a new application in synthetic turf.
Online Bill Payment To Grow 75% by 2010
Cambridge, MA, November 22, 2005--Twenty million more Americans will pay their bills online over the next five years, according to a new forecast by Forrester Research, Inc.
Knauf, Resopal, Tarkett and Witex to Launch Ceracl
Augustdorf, Germany, November 22, 2005--At Domotex 2006 the "new flooring generation," an alliance of Knauf Integral, Resopal, Tarkett and Witex, is presenting a new generation of products for the flooring market: ceraclic.
Chain Store Sales Up 1% Last Week
New York, NY, November 22, 2005--The International Council of Shopping Centers said that for the week ending Nov. 19 such sales increased by 1 percent, and that year-over-year sales pace also rose by 4.2 percent.
NRF Raises Holiday Sales Forecast
Washington DC, November 22, 2005--As the holiday season gets underway, retailers have reason to be optimistic, thanks to a recent flurry of healthy economic indicators including strong October retail sales and falling gasoline prices.