News

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 …

Frank Filmeck, longtime CEO of the Busy Beaver Building Centers chain, resigned from the company late last month. Joseph Kallen, a local business entrepreneur, will serve as the company’s new CEO. Busy Beaver Building Centers was founded in 1962 in …

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 …

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 …

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, …