consumer trends

Retail Juggernaut Buckland Pioneer Sees Region Pushing Sales Well Beyond Its $1 Billion A Year

Decades after his vision turned a tobacco field and other Buckland Hills land into Connecticut's biggest retail engine with more than $1 billion in annual sales, developer John Finguerra says the area, especially nearby Evergreen... more »

144-Year-Old Corporation Hall Looks For New Leases On Life In Downtown Kalamazoo

KALAMAZOO -- The 144-year-old building at 154 S. Kalamazoo Mall won't look much like a fire station, a village hall or a department store soon.You need a few years under your belt to envision it... more »

New Arts And Crafts Store Opens In New Bern Mall

Michaels, an arts and crafts specialty retail store, opens Sunday at the New Bern Mall.It is the latest edition of new stores at the mall and is located beside the Shoe Dept Encore, which opened... more »

World Market Center Las Vegas’ Gift & Home Show Gains, Delivers Powerful Start to 2011 for Retailers and Suppliers

(LAS VEGAS) —Further solidifying its position as the West Coast's go-to destination for the gift and decorative accessories sectors, World Market Center Las Vegas' Gift+HomeSM show trumped all expectations at the recent 2011 Winter Las... more »

Winter Forecast 2011

Boxed In In a salute to the geometry of art deco, box chains are emerging as a trendy pattern to watch. Look for them not just on jewelry but in all manner of home accessories... more »

Trending Up Winter 2011

Anna GriffinCapitalizing on the popularity of the vintage look, antique floral imagery is accented with multiple layers and ribbon to make up this assortment of three-dimensional cards. Complete with coordinating lined envelopes, each design is... more »

Fed Survey: Economy Expands Throughout US

WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy expanded in January and early February in all parts of the country, but businesses reported they are under pressure to raise their prices.A Federal Reserve survey released Wednesday showed that... more »

Manufacturing Growing At Fastest Pace In 7 Years

WASHINGTON — U.S. manufacturers expanded at the fastest pace in nearly seven years last month, but a sudden rise in the price of raw materials could threaten their profits.The Institute for Supply Management said Tuesday... more »