Stocks Climb in Late Rally
from The Associated Press via USA Today
Wall Street stocks turned in another stunning finish Thursday and extended its unprecedented streak of volatility — this time, to the upside. The Dow Jones industrials ended up 400 points, after falling 380 in the opening minutes of the session. "I don't think the markets have a clear sense about the economic environment as of yet. They're clearly nervous," said Subodh Kumar, global investment strategist at Toronto-based Subodh Kumar & Associates. More

Macy's Celebrates Milestone 150th Birthday
from The Wall Street Journal
Macy’s is celebrating an epic milestone this month as the famous retailer marks its 150th birthday on Oct. 28. "Celebrating 150 years is an incredible accomplishment and a true testament to the strength of Macy's," said Terry J. Lundgren, chairman, president and CEO of Macy's, Inc. "There are very few brands today that can claim the longevity and legacy of ours, and I am endlessly proud to be at the helm of such a dynamic and beloved American institution." More

Plunging Retail Sales Show Recovery Will Take Time
from USA Today
America's economic health won't snap back quickly, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Wednesday, following a report that consumers cut their spending at the fastest pace in more than three years in September. Retail sales fell 1.2 percent in September, marking the third consecutive month of declines in consumer spending, the Commerce Department said in a report which economists say is further evidence the USA is in recession. More

General Growth, Mall Owner, May be Facing a Sale
from The New York Times
It took only six weeks of negotiations for General Growth Properties, the nation’s second-largest shopping mall owner and operator, to agree to buy the Rouse Company in 2004 for $12.6 billion, a breathtaking price at the time. Now that hasty decision, which drew immediate fire from Wall Street analysts, has come back to haunt General Growth and may lead to the sale of the 54-year-old company, whose widely known properties include Ala Moana Center in Honolulu, Water Tower Place in Chicago and the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian in Las Vegas. More

Contractors Rush to Become LEED Experts
from Atlanta Business Chronicle
As demand for sustainable buildings increases, commercial developers, general contractors, architects, designers and others in the industry are looking to increase their knowledge about green building. A study by CoStar Group Inc. found that sustainable “green” buildings outperform their non-green counterparts in areas such as occupancy, rental rates and sale price. More

Economic Frights Don’t Kill Halloween Plans
from The Atlanta Journal Constitution
The stock market slide has spooked plenty of Americans, but not enough to scare them away from shopping for the nation’s spookiest holiday. In fact, two out of three Americans plan to celebrate Halloween, according to the National Retail Federation, the biggest turnout since the retail trade group began tracking the holiday in 2001. More

Prepare to Be More Accommodating
from CFO Magazine
The Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against disabled people in the workplace and at public facilities, will see major revisions this fall that could translate into big changes — and big costs — for businesses as early as January of next year. If current proposals in Congress and from the Department of Justice (DoJ) stay on track, companies will have to take a hard look at everything from human-resources practices to building codes to make sure they maintain the "equal opportunity employer" designation. More

Restaurants May Change Menus, Hike Prices in 2009
from The Associated Press
Beef may not be what's for dinner at your favorite restaurant come 2009. Restaurants, now working to secure supply and price contracts for meat and other commodities for the upcoming year, are expecting big increases in food costs — increases that will likely lead to menu changes and price hikes. Some chains are already adjusting their menus to reflect current high costs for both beef and chicken. More

Using IP for Integrating Building Systems
from Electrical Contractor Magazine
Internet protocol (IP) is growing in popularity as a method for integrating building systems. It is a way of interconnecting every building system. According to Rawlson King of the Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA), "The idea behind IP-based systems is that all devices should be able to be accessible regardless of function. CCTV, access control, intrusion detection, fire alarms, fire suppression, lighting controls and HVAC can all be integrated in IP-based systems." More

Colombian Coffee Icon Defies Starbucks Doldrums
from Forbes
Starbucks may be struggling, but a Colombian cafe chain built on the fame of the world's biggest coffee icon is determined to buck the trend with plans to expand worldwide depsite the slowing economy that has forced others to scale back. Even as cash-short consumers cut back on gourmet blends, the Juan Valdez Cafe is selling coffee at 101 stores across Colombia, as well as at outposts in New York, Seattle, Philadelphia, Santiago, and Spain. More

Outlets, Clearance Centers Plan Expansions as Budget-conscious Shoppers Look Their Way
from The Arizona Republic
Style-conscious consumers may be counting their pennies, but some haven't retreated to the shopping sidelines. In one response to the weaker economy, they're turning to clearance stores and outlet centers for style and luxury at bargain prices. Like Wal-Mart and other discounters, outlet shopping-center companies such as Arizona Mills owner Simon Property Group Inc. in Tempe, Ariz., and Charlotte, N.C.,-based Tanger are reporting sales growth despite the overall wintry sales climate. More