November 16, 2007—Mike Barker, Investment and Retirement Management analyzes the recent ups and down of the market and the comments made by Fed chairman Ben Bernanke earlier this week. Barker also talks about his expectations for next months FOMC meeting, when the credit crisis will play out and the what’s next with the price of crude.
November 15, 2007—Jon Trivers, well-known industry speaker and FCW columnist, in the third part first of a four-part series talks more about Sears program of testing floor coverings in three of the company’s stores in Cincinnati and the news that Macy’s and KKR are being eyeing by Sears and what that could mean if such an acquisition were to comes to pass. And Trivers also discusses the best avenues for floor covering retailers to take during these tough times.
November 14, 2007—Kemp Harr, Publisher of Floor Focus magazine looks back at the events of the past week in the industry discussing: GreenBuild, the turnout, the floor covering exhibitors at the show, the rollout of Armstrong’s Migrations BBT and the impact of Shaw, Mohawk, Interface, Milliken, Mannington and Universal Textile Technologies at the show. Also discussed, the closure and liquidation of Hoboken and the building of Mirage’s distribution network.
November 14, 2007—Jon Trivers, well-known industry speaker and FCW columnist, in the third part first of a four-part series discusses the $99 carpet promotions that have been run by Home Depot and the toll these promotions have had on the company’s brand. Trivers also talks about the company’s new chairman and CEO Frank Blake in the post-Nardelli era and Sears test of floor covering in three Cincinnati stores.
November 13, 2007—Jon Trivers, well-known industry speaker and FCW columnist, in the second part first of a four-part series shares his expectations for Home Depot Design, the new women-friendly format with no lumber and no heavy-duty tools currently being tested by Home Depot. Trivers talks about his expectations for the future of this concept, how it may affect the company’s contractor base.
November 12, 2007—Jon Trivers, well-known industry speaker and FCW columnist, in the first part of a four-part series, discusses Home Depot Design, the new women-friendly format with no lumber and no heavy-duty tools and in stead furniture and home furnishings currently being tested by Home Depot, covering all price points for low to high. Trivers talks about how the company may use the information it gains from the test and what the test says about the shortcomings of the chain.
November 9, 2007—Mike Barker, Investment and Retirement Management discusses the market’s reaction to yesterday’s negative news from Fed Chairman Bernanke and some of the nation’s major retailers the day after Wednesday’s 360 point decline. Barker also analyzes Bernanke’s speech before congress yesterday where he discussed the housing and mortgage situation and Barker shares his expectations for Fed actions at is December meeting.
November 8, 2007—Anthony Minite, the president of Bentley Prince Street, from GreenBuild 2007 in Chicago discusses the conference and show, how it has grown and expanded in recent years and the visitors that attend the show and conference. Minite talks about the growth of modular, the company’s sustainable efforts, the silver LEED rating it has achieved at is California facility, the products itis highlighting at the show and his expectations for the 4th quarter and 2008
November 8, 2007—Mike Barker, Investment and Retirement Management discusses yesterday's 360 point drop on the Dow, talking about why it dropped and where its likely to go from here. Barker also looks at Fed Chairman Bernanke’s testimony before congress today and the implications of Mohawk shares dropping below $80.
November 7, 2007—Floor Focus Publisher Kemp Harr previews GreenBuild, which opened last evening in Chicago and looks back at the week in the floor covering industry discussing: The closure of Hoboken Wood Flooring and its implications; 3Q earnings reports from Shaw and Armstrong’s; iFloors’ launch of a $1 million warranty to cover claim denied by the manufacturer because the consumer made purchased the product online.