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. …
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Existing-Home Sales Drop in September
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 …
Read More »Lumber Liquidators Sales Up in Third Quarter
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 …
Read More »More Than 15,000 Retail Jobs Added in September
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 …
Read More »Help Your Association Help You–and Get Entered For a Chance to Win $500!
Want to win a little extra cash, just in time for the holidays, and help your association, too? Participate in our Employee Compensation Survey and be entered to win one of two gift cards. Employee compensation isn’t just about pay …
Read More »Signs of Improving Economy Evident at Do it Best October Market
From the return of an old friend to the introduction of a new program, the Do it Best Corp. October Market, held Oct. 19-21 in Indianapolis, had plenty to offer its retailers. During the shareholders’ meeting Sunday night, Don Wolf, …
Read More »Laying the Foundation for a Succession Plan
After 20 to 30 years of hard work many owners should think about retirement and selling their company but choose not to for several different reasons. Some of those reasons are: None of the children want to continue with the …
Read More »Ace Names This Year’s Coolest Hardware Stores
Ace recently recognized six member stores with the company’s third-annual “Coolest Hardware Store” awards. Of 4,700 locally-owned and operated Ace Hardware stores worldwide, these stores were named during Ace’s annual Platinum Conference held in Las Vegas this week: Ace Hardware …
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