Consumer confidence continues to be on the upswing, though moderately, according to the Consumer Confidence Index. The index now stands at 103, up from 101.3, in August, according to The Conference Board, a research association that compiles the data. “Consumer …
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U.S. Housing Starts Down in August
The number of housing starts in the U.S. fell 3 percent from July to August, even though the amount of building permits issued increased by 3.5 percent, according to new federal statistics. “Permit growth indicates that our members feel confident …
Read More »Home Sales Continue Growth Trend in July
Existing-home sales increased again in July, continuing a three-month upward growth trend, according to the National Association of Realtors. Existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 2 percent to 5.59 million in July from …
Read More »June Home Sales Set Best Pace Since 2007
The number of homes sold in the U.S. and their median selling prices increased in June, up from 2014 and setting the highest selling pace since 2007. Completed sales transactions on existing homes increased to 573,000, which is growth of 13.2 percent from a year ago, …
Read More »Retail Jobs Added in June – But Not in Building Materials Category
Nearly 23,000 new retail jobs were added in June, but not in the building materials category, according to the National Retail Federation. Total retail employment – excluding car dealerships, gas stations and restaurants – increased by 212,000 jobs on a year-over-year basis, according …
Read More »Americans’ Retail Spending Drops in June
Americans spent less on home improvement and garden products in June than in May, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Shoppers reduced their home improvement spending by 1.3 percent in that period. The June 2014 to June 2015 drop was 1.4 percent. Overall retail …
Read More »NRHA Hits the Road to Visit Independents
Independent We Stand, an organization that supports locally owned businesses, is taking to the road today to visit independents from Detroit to Boston – and the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) is along for the ride. During the trip, Independent We Stand and NRHA …
Read More »Existing-Home Sales Strong in May
Existing-home sales were up in May, increasing by 5.1 percent from April and jumping 9.2 percent year over year. About 5.35 million existing single-family, townhouses, condominiums and co-ops sold in the U.S. in May, according to the National Association of …
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