Paul Bishop is the vice president of research for the National Association of Realtors® and leads the research division’s survey and market research activities, which include analyzing real estate business and policy issues. He took questions from Hardware Retailing magazine about the …
Read More »Tag Archives: economy
Retail and Manufacturing Lead 2018 Hiring Boom
Heading into 2018, economists expected hiring to slow due to a tight labor market, as a below-4 percent unemployment rate would make finding workers difficult for businesses. According to The Wall Street Journal, “the opposite has occurred, largely due to …
Read More »Home Renovations Contribute to Retail Hiring
Trends in home renovations have contributed to recent growth in the number of new retail jobs in the U.S., the Chicago Tribune reports. “Building-material stores hired more than 10,000 workers in February to keep up with booming demand,” the news …
Read More »Fourth-Quarter 2017 Shows Uptick for Economy
The year 2017 ended on a positive note for the U.S. economy, with fourth-quarter results showing growth in consumer confidence and in the housing and manufacturing sectors. The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), which is the only leading economic indicator included …
Read More »NFIB Event Shines Spotlight on Small Business
The Indiana arm of National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) hosted its 2018 Small Business Day at the Capitol event in Indianapolis on Feb. 21. The event drew NFIB members from across the state to hear economic analysis, an overview …
Read More »Tariffs Imposed on Solar Panels, Washing Machines
On Jan. 22, the Trump administration announced tariffs on imports of solar panels and washing machines as part of the administration’s focus on “America First,” The Wall Street Journal reports. According to the article, the tariffs were imposed in an …
Read More »Comeback Plan: How 2 Retailers Took Their Stores From Bust to Boom
Click the image above to view a full PDF. Many entrepreneurs setting out to buy a business look for one that’s healthy, where risks are minimal and the probability for success is high. It’s a good, safe bet few would argue …
Read More »PMI, Consumer Confidence Make Gains
Click the image above to view a full PDF. The nation’s third-quarter 2017 consumer confidence levels rose nearly 20 percent over third-quarter 2016, indicating that consumers feel confident about the overall economy. Some regions ravaged by hurricanes showed measurable consumer …
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