Retail sales increased 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted from last month, and 3.8 percent unadjusted year-over-year, according to the National Retail Federation. Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers stores’ sales also increased 0.1 percent seasonally adjusted. “Retailers witnessed a solid …

The Propane GasGenie actively warns the user in time to finish cooking what’s on the grill. Typically it warns the user at about 20 percent capacity of the barbecue propane tank. Within about 10 minutes of switching on the grill, …

Staying warm and being prepared for winter weather are top-of-mind for your customers as the season approaches. Encourage your customers to buy the basics early by promoting them near the front of the store with snow removal-themed endcaps stocked with …

The home remodeling market continues to grow, with strong gains predicted through the beginning of 2014, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) recently released by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. …

After hitting the highest level in nearly four years, existing-home sales declined in September, but limited inventory conditions continued to pressure home prices in much of the country, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Total existing-home sales declined 1.9 percent to a …

Lumber Liquidators reported net sales increased $50 million, or 24.5 percent, to $254.3 million in the third quarter of 2013 from $204.3 million in the third quarter of 2012. Comparable-store net sales increased 17.4 percent for the quarter, driven by a 9.8 percent increase in …

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 148,000 in September, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 7.2 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported. Employment increased in construction, wholesale trade, and transportation and warehousing. The National Retail …

Whether it’s a meeting about schedules, procedures or new products, the following tips will make sure your team is spending less time in the back room and more time out on the salesfloor: Create structure. Set regular times for meetings. …