Imports at major U.S. container ports are expected to remain below last year’s level for the first half of 2026 amid ongoing tariff uncertainty, although it is too soon to measure the anticipated impact of the conflict in Iran, according …
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Retail Sales Rise for Fifth Straight Month in February, Outpacing January Gains
Retail sales saw gains in February, with moderate growth month over month and strong growth year over year, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor. “Despite harsh winter weather, consumer spending grew once again in February, supported by continued wage gains …
Read More »True Value Becomes Official Hardware Partner of BIG EAST Conference
True Value recently announced it is the Official Hardware Partner of the BIG EAST Conference, taking place from March 11-14. “True Value has been a cornerstone of local communities for generations,” says Dent Johnson, president of True Value. “Partnering with …
Read More »International Hardware Industry Gathers for EISENWARENMESSE 2026
Attendees from 125 countries gathered in Cologne, Germany, from March 3-6, 2026, for the EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair 2026. Around 33,000 visitors attended the event, and the new Tuesday to Friday schedule was well-received by attendees, more closely aligning …
Read More »Expert Talks Conference to Feature Industry Leaders at NHS Concept to Commerce
NHS Concept to Commerce is set to host impactful expert-led sessions covering the industry’s most talked about topics and practical application from leaders on the front lines of retail at the event’s Expert Talks Conference. Spanning two days and accessible …
Read More »U.S. Economy Loses 92,000 Jobs in February
The U.S. economy lost 92,000 jobs in February, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The February unemployment rate edged up to 4.4%, showing a slight increase from January. The labor force participation rate in February …
Read More »NAHB Works With U.S. Senators to Proposed Bill to Exempt Building Materials From Tariffs
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) announced it has worked with senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) to introduce legislation that would address housing affordability by creating a tariff exemption process for building materials. The Housing Tariff …
Read More »Housing Affordability Improves Slightly in Late 2025, But Challenges Persists for Many U.S. Families
While new and existing homes remain largely unaffordable, affordability increased slightly in the second half of 2025, according to the latest data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index (CHI). In Q4 2025, the …
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