Clothing, electronics, home furnishings and building materials all saw increased retails sales in March for the ninth straight month, according to a new report from the National Retail Federation.Retail sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) for March increased 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted from February and 3.9 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
Consumers are becoming more upbeat about the economy, as the Consumer Reports Index in April remained positive for the second consecutive month.The index points to an improving employment climate, higher consumer spending, and a reduction in overall household financial stress for the American consumer.
Nearly three- quarters (74%) of Americans believe higher prices could slow their spending in the coming months, according to a new survey from Deloitte.The survey found that mobile and social connections are helping shoppers make better buying decisions in the wake of the recession.
Two-thirds of CEOs believe the economy has improved during the past year and have expect more gains in the year ahead, according to a new survey from Vistage International. The Vistage CEO Confidence Index was 105.2 in the 1st quarter of 2011, slightly below 106.3 recorded in the prior quarter but well above the 93.7 in last year’s 1st quarter survey. CEO confidence has more than doubled since the recession low of 48.7 two years ago.
More than half (56%) of small and medium businesses experienced banking fraud in the last 12 months, according to a new study from fraud prevention firm Guardian Analytics and the Ponemon Institute.Among those that experienced fraud, 61 percent were victimized more than once and 75 percent experienced online account take over and /or online fraud. These figures are nearly the same as those in the 2010 Business Banking Trust Study, indicating banks and businesses are struggling to make progress on the issue.
One out of two U.S. small business owners expect increased sales in the next six months, but non-labor costs could squeeze profits and lead to higher selling prices over the same period, according to a new PNC Economic Outlook survey. The survey indicates owners' expectations for sales and profits have rebounded from unexpected setbacks last fall along with a brighter outlook for hiring full-time employees. However, 64 percent foresee higher non-labor costs, which will prompt owners to raise prices in an effort to preserve profit margins.
Small business owners with commercial real estate mortgages maturing after December 31, 2012, will be able to get more stable, long-term financing through the U.S. Small Business Administration's temporary 504 refinancing program.In February, SBA implemented a temporary refinancing program enacted under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, which allowed small businesses facing maturing commercial real estate mortgages or balloon payments before Dec. 31, 2012, to refinance with an SBA 504 loan.
The Deluxe Corporation Foundation has provided a $285,000 grant to help SCORE, a non-profit association focused on helping small businesses in the U.S. The grant will help SCORE increase its trained volunteer base by 50 percent, or an additional 11,000 mentors, over the next three years. With this larger mentor base, SCORE will be able to support the start or expansion of an estimated 1 million additional small businesses in the United States by 2017.
Over 80,000 jobs and more than $10 billion in economic output could be lost in 2011 unless credit flow to franchised small businesses increases, according to a new report by the International Franchise Association. The report found the demand for franchise business growth in 2011 far outpaces the ability of franchise businesses to access financing, despite a more positive business climate and increased investor interest for franchise expansion.
Traveling long distances can be miserable in many ways. Dealing with security, a crowded airport, a noisy plane cabin, and then a hotel room where who knows what has happened is no fun at all. To make the situation a little better, though, Virgin America has launched a rewards program for small businesses.We'll admit right now: this won't help firms that don't send people places on a regular basis. Also, it won't even give eligible firms that fantastic a deal.
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