The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index fell by 6.7 points to 81.9 in September, down from 88.6 in August. The Present Situation Index—based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions—fell by 7.9 points to 109.3. The Expectations …
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Retail sales rose modestly in August, marking the 11th consecutive month of gains, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor released by the National Retail Federation. “Retail sales climbed steadily once again in August,” says Matthew Shay, NRF president and CEO. …
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State labor markets showed mixed results in August, with nonfarm payroll employment increasing in a majority of states. Construction employment also posted a net gain nationally, although employment trends varied across states. The unemployment rate also remained relatively low in …
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Single-family housing starts rebounded in August, but production remains down 4.7% year-to-date as builders contend with rising construction costs, lot and labor shortages and economic uncertainty, according to an analysis from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Overall housing …
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HIRI Cuts 2025 Home Improvement Growth Forecast The Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) revised its 2025 growth forecast downward to 3.4% from 5%, as the $574.3 billion home improvement market faces sustained economic headwinds, including rising costs, tariffs and housing …
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There’s much more to discover from the August edition of Hardware Retailing. Browse the links below to uncover new innovations, trends and resources to lead your operation to success.
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