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.

Chain Stores Sales Up Last Week

New York, NY, January 4--Chain store retail sales rose a bit in the latest week due to post-Christmas shopping, a report said on Tuesday.

VPI Sells Last Operating Business

Sheboygan, WI, January 4--VPI L.L.C. said Monday that it has sold its floor products division -- its last remaining operating unit -- to a group that includes the division's general manager and former management of an Iowa spice company.

Pace of Manufacturing Growth Accelerates

Tempe, AZ, January 4--The pace of growth at U.S. factories picked up in December, boosted by an increase in new orders and despite a decline in employment, a report showed on Monday.

Update: Online Holiday Purchases Up 25%

New York, NY, January 4--The latest holiday eSpending Report from Goldman, Sachs & Co., Harris Interactive, and Nielsen//NetRatings revealed that online shoppers in the U.S. spent $23.2 billion during the 2004 holiday season, excluding travel.

Kmart December Same Store Sales Off 2.6%

Troy, MI, January 3--Kmart Holding said Monday that it expects to generate operating income of about $250 million for November and December of 2004, an increase of 10 percent year-over-year.

Cedar Flooring, for the Closet

Huntington, WV, January 3-- Cedar is an especially aromatic wood and has other benefits too. Moths hate cedar, making the material an excellent choice for hope chests and closet flooring, according to the Huntington, West Virginia Herald-Dispatch.

Pakistani Government May Provide $3B in Export Ref

Lahore, Pakistan, January 3--Punjab Minister for Investment, Industries and Commerce Muhammad Ajmal Cheema has said that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is willing to provide up to $3 billion worth of export refinancing to small and medium exporters.

Invista Nylon Plant in Chattanooga Humming After D

Chattanooga, TN, January 3--More than $4 billion changed hands when DuPont sold its Invista unit earlier this year to Koch Industries Inc., but Invista's manager in Chattanooga said little is different at his plant, according to the Chattanooga Times/