Economic Indicators Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics

Retail sales rose sharply in July

Retail sales reversed their downward trend in July as Prime Day and major promotions by other brands prompted increased shopping while wage increases gave consumers more money to spend, said the National Retail Federation. Read More

Economic Indicators Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics

Builder Confidence Fell Six Points to 50 in August

Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes in August fell six points to 50, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). Read More

Economic Indicators Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics

Home Depot Q2 Sales Down 2.0% YOY, Earnings Down 9.9%

The Home Depot reported Q2 2023 sales of $42.9 billion for the, a decrease of 2.0% from Q2 2022’s $43.8 billion. Comparable sales for Q2 2023 decreased 2.0%, and comparable sales in the U.S. decreased 2.0%. Read More

Ceramic Tile Statistics Competitive Intelligence Economic Indicators Floor Covering Products Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics

India Led Ceramic Imports to the U.S. In First Half of 2023

For the first time, India became the largest ceramic tile supplier of the U.S. by units in the time period between January and June, reports Grosser Associates. Read More

Economic Indicators Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics

Growth in consumer spending is slowing

U.S. consumers are still buying more than last year, but spending growth is slowing as the economy settles down amid higher interest rates intended to reduce inflation, National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said today. Read More

Economic Indicators Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics

U.S. Crude Reaches Highest Price of 2023

"Three major factors are shaping the oil market in 2023. Two of them helped push U.S. crude on Wednesday to its highest price of the year,” according to the Wall Street Journal. Read More

Economic Indicators Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics

July Inflation Up 3.2% Annually

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.2% in July on a seasonally adjusted basis, the same increase as in June, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Read More

Competitive Intelligence Economic Indicators Floor Covering Products Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics

U.S. Customs Continues to Block LVT Shipments from Asia

Importing LVT from Asia continues to be a source of frustration for several major importers, as roughly $200 million (at wholesale value) has been either quarantined or returned to the sender. Read More

Competitive Intelligence Economic Indicators Floor Covering Products Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics

LL Flooring's Net Sales Declined 20.9% in Q2, Earnings Down 17.8%

LL Flooring reported net sales of $236.4 million for Q2 2023, a decrease of 20.9% from Q2 2022’s $299 million, driven by a decrease in transaction count reflecting by lower spending by consumers and pros. Read More

Economic Indicators Industry Forecasts Industry Statistics

Employment Rose by 187,000 in July, Unemployment Rate Steady at 3.5%

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 187,000 in July, and the unemployment rate changed little at 3.5%, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Read More