SURPRISE: According to the Department of Commerce, the economy grew in the third quarter for the first time in more than a year. It said government stimulus helped boost consumer spending and home building, fueling an unexpectedly... more

POP QUIZ: The National Association of Wholesalers asked the American Management Association, “What single trait do you think a manager needs most to be successful in today’s business environment?” The response was... more

The last time we met (FCNews, Oct. 12/19), I randomly listed some thoughts on distributors’ minds that came out during networking breakouts at the annual meeting of the North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD) in late September. Most dealt with... more

LUCKY 7TH: The annual Alan Greenberg Charity Golf Tournament sponsored by CCA Global Partners for the benefit of the Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF) was a resounding success, attracting 120 golfers and guests. Held recently at... more

One of the highlights of the annual meeting of the North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors is the networking, including distributors breaking off into small groups to discuss pre-determined issues such as Internet policy, freight, budgeting/forecasting, and the always popular... more

NEW JOBS: The employment situation in and around Dalton is improving and some people in the area are beginning to think there might be something to the reports that the economy is stabilizing. First, Shaw Industries announced that it will re-open an idle plant in... more

By now every retailer should have been notified that carpet prices are on the rise. Just about every broadloom manufacturer is participating in the 5% to 8% hike that takes effect in... more

CLASSY PROMO: Armstrong Flooring will launch a national consumer sales event on Sept. 15 in partnership with Abbey Carpet & Floor and Floors To Go that will benefit Gilda’s Club Worldwide, a non-profit cancer support organization. The promotion will run until... more

It seems as though we spend 25 issues a year (we publish 26-plus) thinking manufacturer and retailer. Not that there’s anything wrong with that (intended “Seinfeld” reference) given that our mission is to be... more

GREAT SCOTT!: Here are two good signs, indications the economy may be rebounding. First, Jane Walker informed me that the just-concluded CFI convention in Kansas City, Mo., was a resounding success. Installers came from... more