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Posted on Fri, 11/4/2011 - 05:32 AM by
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Yep, consumers continue not only to spend, but to increase their spending in most months. Here's the latest data: Over the past 12 months, total consumer spending has increased 4.5 percent. I hear people say that consumers are maxed out on credit, no longer can dip into housing equity, and don't have jobs. So how can they spend? Keep in mind, first of all, that our 9.1 percent unemployment rate works out to a 90.9 percent employment rate. Double check my math if you like. The savings rate is 4.5 percent, much higher than at the peak of the boom, so consumers in the aggregate are not being hugely irresponsible (though most folks need a much higher savings rate to be financially secure in retirement). How can people increase their spending by 4.5%? Well, after-tax incomes are up 4.7 percent in the past 12 months. Here’s how we reach that figure. First, employment has risen by one percent, with average hourly earnings up about two percent. So wage and salary earnings have increased three percent. The big key to the increase in take-home pay is the cut in Social Security taxes in January 2011, which reduced the employee’s tax rate from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent. The tax cut was probably effective in boosting consumer spending. What's the outlook? I think that employment will gradually improve, with the emphasis on gradually. Business Planning Economics: Don't write off consumers. The exuberance of the boom may be gone, but folks are still spending money, and will continue through 2012, barring a double-dip triggered by Europe's crisis. That's not my most likely outcome, but it's certainly possible. MORE NEWS FROM BLUEMAUMAUGoing Green Costs Franchisees Much GreenBeing forced to buy imaginary products is just one of the nonsensical results of government policy affecting franchisors and franchisees. Good News, U.S. Hotel Profit RecoveryAccording to the new PKF Trends survey, the U.S. lodging industry produced a 12.7% profit growth in 2011. 80.5% of participating hotels enjoyed an increase in total revenue while 72.3% achieved growth in profits. The recently released 2012 edition of Trends presents data from a sample of nearly 7000 financial statements of United States hotels. For the Trends report, hotel profits are defined as net operating income (NOI) before deductions for capital reserves, rent, interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Federal Court Invalidates "Quickie" Union Election Rule, For NowOn May 14, 2012, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia set aside a controversial final rule of the National Labor Relations Board ("NLRB") that was designed to make it easier and faster for unions to hold organizing elections. Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, et al. v. NLRB, Case No. 11-02262 (D.D.C. May 14, 2012). Business groups are hailing the decision, but the celebration may be short lived. Because the ruling was essentially decided on a procedural point, the NLRB may seek to resurrect the rule, which creates a very short window for union elections, and leaves employers with little time to react to an organized union campaign. Field Representatives Coach Franchisees to Victory
A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are. "Live For Now" Stars Dead IconPepsiCo announced aggressive marketing plans, boosting ad spending by 20% and bringing back deceased pop icon Michael Jackson as part of a worldwide campaign. RELATED SMALL BUSINESS NEWSHot Franchise Topic: Getting a LoanIt seems like the entire franchise industry is focused on funding, and with good reason; franchise loans are still a bit challenging to secure. Production Agreements of a Supply Chain; The Other End of the RainbowMany years ago I was pulled away from my usual assignments to do a major product production tolling agreement between two of America’s larger food companies. It was a stroke of luck for me because it provided something new for my interest in multivariate risks management. Since then I have prepared many multivariate high risk agreements, and it is always an enjoyable as well as remunerative adventure. When you think of every brand as a franchise in itself, it fits perfectly into my customary practice of managing franchise relationship disconnect issues. Know the Benefits of Application Protection in Any OrganizationIt is very important to ensure proper method of data availability on time. In that case, replication needs to be adopted in order to manage current backup information and system settings so that it can deliver fast restoration of data after any kind of disaster. As we know that it is not possible to avoid any kind of natural disaster or human error; but it is always mandatory to take proper measures for application protection, so that users do not face any kind of problem related to data loss. And, data replication is found to be the only way to remove or minimize the time lapse experienced in these situations. Pepsi Wants a New GenerationEverything the light touches this year is rapper Nicki Minaj’s kingdom. From the Billboard Top 100 to the Super Bowl half-time show, and her reign is about to expand to a major role in a new ad campaign for Pepsi. A Business Plan Should be a Requirement for Buying a FranchiseVisit any website that offers advice on starting a new business or expanding an existing one and you’ll find articles and advice on the importance of writing a business plan. There are tips ranging from how to write an effective business plan to the reasons why it’s so important. |
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