Dec 27 The American Dream Deferred: What Befell our Strategic Defaulters? By Paul Solman We've devoted a lot of attention to the foreclosure crisis that is threatening the homes of so many Americans, and to various ways they've sought help: non-profit third parties; the government's loan modification program, HAMP. But… Continue reading
Dec 24 Watch Retailers Upbeat on Holiday Sales Surge Jeffrey Brown talks to Dana Telsey, a retail-industry watcher, about the trends this year in holiday sales. Continue watching
Dec 24 2010, the Year of Foreclosure By Paul Solman Of the two dozen "Words of the Year" cited by the New York Times the other day, two of them -- "robo-signer" and "put-back" -- were spawned by the foreclosure crisis. (See this link for the Gray Lady's definitions.)… Continue reading
Dec 24 On Friday's NewsHour: Retail Sales; Korean Tensions; Shields and Gerson RETAIL ECONOMY | Retailers had high hopes for business on this Christmas Eve. Jeffrey Brown talks to Dana Telsey, a retail-industry watcher. RICHARDSON ON NORTH KOREA | New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is a former U.N. ambassador with extensive experience… Continue reading
Dec 24 The Business of Greenery Smuggling in Washington State By News Desk It's a familiar sight this time of year; the live Christmas wreath on a door or a bit of holiday-themed greenery on a table. Those products are a big business in the Pacific Northwest, where forests are harvested for greenery,… Continue reading
Dec 24 Friday: Retailers Hope for 'Fantastic Friday' Holiday Sales; Bankers Enter Fray in Ivory Coast Holiday shoppers were reported to be packing stores Friday morning, ending the best holiday shopping season for retailers since 2007, the AP reported. Retailers expect Friday to be a strong shopping day, since Christmas Day falls on a… Continue reading
Dec 24 Watch The Business of Forest Smuggling KCTS in Seattle, Washington looks into the illegal side of the holiday industry of forest greenery. Lesley McClurg has more on how forest smuggling has short term effects on businesses and long term effects on the environment. Continue watching
Dec 23 Watch News Wrap: Greece OKs Budget, Adds More Austerity Measures In other news Thursday, the governing socialists in Greece passed a new budget that reduces health and defense spending while raising consumer taxes. The steep taxes and deep cuts have sparked widespread protests in Athens and elsewhere. Continue watching
Dec 23 The Holiday Economic Divide: Wal-Mart or Saks? Wal-Mart shoppers in Syracuse, N.Y.; Creative Commons photo courtesy flickr.com/number13001/ As the Christmas gift season winds down there are distinct holiday retail stories emerging - one for the wealthiest communities and one for places that are struggling. Luxury… Continue reading
Dec 23 Editor's Note: Technical Difficulties EDITOR'S UPDATE | DEC. 30, 2010 As of Dec. 29, Making Sen$e and the Business Desk are fully functional. Many of you have undoubtedly noticed our absence on these pages in this last week. No, we haven't been away on… Continue reading