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Ball is in their court.
Author: Raine
Date: 10/29/2009 13:23:37
From the BBC:
"The US economy grew at an annualised rate of 3.5% between July and September, its first expansion in more than a year, official data has shown.
Commentators say the growth was helped by President Obama's $787bn (£480bn) stimulus plan, and the fear is growth will now fall as this comes to an end.
The US economy was also lifted by the "Cash for Clunkers" car scrappage scheme, which finished in August.
But with unemployment still high, the ongoing recovery is set to be slow. "
Last year Holiday jobs were no where to be found. Retail stores simply were not hiring due to a tanking economy. This year however, it looks like things are looking up. Gamestop will be adding 150 temporary seasonal jobs this year in the Atlanta area. In Upstate NY, they have added 3000 jobs already compared to only 1800 last year.
It might not be the best news in the world, but things are slowly turning.
The National Retail Federation is projecting a further 1 percent decline in holiday spending this year, after a 3.4 percent fall last year.
"Last year was very weak," said James Ross, the Capital Region's market analyst for the state Labor Department. "It was the fourth quarter last year when everything just tanked."
Ross said it's very possible that sales could still rebound by Christmas. And if they do, retailers wouldn't have a problem adding people, given the large number of unemployed.
Nationally, retailers added just 231,000 seasonal workers last year, down more than 60 percent from the 618,000 they hired in 2007, according to the National Retail Federation.
I believe the stimulous is working, but now it's time for companies to do their part by hiring workers. We are seeing a shift in the retail sector, but until people have cash in hand, nothing will matter. The ball in now in the private sector's court. It is time to put people back to work.
& 
Raine
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
wickedpam on 10/29/2009 12:39:31
wickedpam on 10/29/2009 12:39:31
Morning 
Comment by 
BobR on 10/29/2009 13:09:43
BobR on 10/29/2009 13:09:43
Comment by 
Scoopster on 10/29/2009 13:18:03
Scoopster on 10/29/2009 13:18:03
Oooops! I've done that a few times Raine.. it's the reason I have both the alarm clock set and the TV ready to pop on the morning news at the same time. 
Comment by wickedpam on 10/29/2009 13:18:10
wickedpam on 10/29/2009 13:18:10
I have to say we have yet to fire someone because of the down turn in the economy, we've just shifted what brands we sell
Comment by BobR on 10/29/2009 13:24:08
less Rothschild Lafite, more Ripple?
BobR on 10/29/2009 13:24:08
Quote by wickedpam:
I have to say we have yet to fire someone because of the down turn in the economy, we've just shifted what brands we sell
less Rothschild Lafite, more Ripple?
Comment by 
TriSec on 10/29/2009 13:44:39
TriSec on 10/29/2009 13:44:39
Morning, folks.
Just a drive-by....Mrs. TriSec and young Javi are on a field trip today, so I have the house all to myself.
Naturally, I'm going out to campaign for a few hours this morning. (Damn, I coulda stayed home watching plane porn...)
Anyway.
Regarding the seasonal hiring....I was hired at the store last season, and was luckier than most in that they decided to keep me on the permanent list after the holidays.
This year, word is they're trying to avoid hiring anyone new, the extra hours are there for the taking among the regulars. And if we do need to hire anyone, last year's seasonal folks will get the first callbacks, so we don't lose time in training or learning the way the store operates.
Still tough to tell, but based on sales alone things are looking better than last year.
Just a drive-by....Mrs. TriSec and young Javi are on a field trip today, so I have the house all to myself.
Naturally, I'm going out to campaign for a few hours this morning. (Damn, I coulda stayed home watching plane porn...)
Anyway.
Regarding the seasonal hiring....I was hired at the store last season, and was luckier than most in that they decided to keep me on the permanent list after the holidays.
This year, word is they're trying to avoid hiring anyone new, the extra hours are there for the taking among the regulars. And if we do need to hire anyone, last year's seasonal folks will get the first callbacks, so we don't lose time in training or learning the way the store operates.
Still tough to tell, but based on sales alone things are looking better than last year.
Comment by wickedpam on 10/29/2009 13:53:14
yep - more like less Grand Dame and more Bota Boxes and Yellow Tail and a warehouse full of Trader Joes products ;)
wickedpam on 10/29/2009 13:53:14
Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:
I have to say we have yet to fire someone because of the down turn in the economy, we've just shifted what brands we sell
less Rothschild Lafite, more Ripple?
yep - more like less Grand Dame and more Bota Boxes and Yellow Tail and a warehouse full of Trader Joes products ;)
Comment by 
Raine on 10/29/2009 14:16:50
That would be a great idea-- if I had a tv in the bedroom... 
Raine on 10/29/2009 14:16:50
Quote by Scoopster:
Oooops! I've done that a few times Raine.. it's the reason I have both the alarm clock set and the TV ready to pop on the morning news at the same time.
Comment by Raine on 10/29/2009 14:18:10
Raine on 10/29/2009 14:18:10
here is the new Ken doll! 
Comment by wickedpam on 10/29/2009 14:19:01
wickedpam on 10/29/2009 14:19:01
Comment by wickedpam on 10/29/2009 14:38:27
wickedpam on 10/29/2009 14:38:27
who's trying to drowned the Speaker out? I have no picture
Comment by AuntAzalea on 10/29/2009 14:41:30
Great post Raine. Don't forget: Beer sales UP!! WaHOooooo......... Oh, wait, that's not good.
Though I do believe the Stimulus is working, its just taking a long time.
Though I do believe the Stimulus is working, its just taking a long time.
Comment by 
velveeta jones on 10/29/2009 14:47:12
velveeta jones on 10/29/2009 14:47:12
We have a bill!
Well, a Bill? Sort of a Bill. (Le Sigh)
Well, a Bill? Sort of a Bill. (Le Sigh)
Comment by Raine on 10/29/2009 14:51:57
caller...
Raine on 10/29/2009 14:51:57
caller...
Comment by Raine on 10/29/2009 14:53:09
Raine on 10/29/2009 14:53:09
it's going to be a looong time before anything is right again.
I missed the presser... looking for a place to live.
I missed the presser... looking for a place to live.
Comment by Scoopster on 10/29/2009 14:59:44
Woooow..
First thing I thought of when I saw this was...
Scoopster on 10/29/2009 14:59:44
Quote by Raine:
here is the new Ken doll!
Woooow..
First thing I thought of when I saw this was...
Comment by TriSec on 10/29/2009 14:59:53
Oh, dear.
Having spent some time in Palm Beach, I'd have to say it's fairly close, except for maybe that print jacket.
However, "Sugar Daddy" is well known among the elites. [wink, wink, nudge, nudge.]
TriSec on 10/29/2009 14:59:53
Quote by Raine:
More about the new Ken doll....
Oh, dear.
Having spent some time in Palm Beach, I'd have to say it's fairly close, except for maybe that print jacket.
However, "Sugar Daddy" is well known among the elites. [wink, wink, nudge, nudge.]
Comment by velveeta jones on 10/29/2009 15:07:33
velveeta jones on 10/29/2009 15:07:33
Boeing moves to SC where the labor force is plentiful and desperate and won't be unruly. (As in "try to organize").
South Carolina lawmakers got the official word on the agreement from Boeing officials late Wednesday afternoon.
S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell said, "Today’s announcement declares to the global business community that South Carolina is back in the game and open for business. We want you to come to our state."
The deal was reached after lawmakers on Tuesday approved lower-interest construction bonds and incentives that include a sales tax exemption on fuel used in test flights. To qualify, Boeing will have to bring at least $750 million in investment to the state over the next seven years.
Comment by Raine on 10/29/2009 15:10:04
that is another one of those good news bad news stories.
Raine on 10/29/2009 15:10:04
Quote by velveeta jones:
Boeing moves to SC where the labor force is plentiful and desperate and won't be unruly. (As in "try to organize").South Carolina lawmakers got the official word on the agreement from Boeing officials late Wednesday afternoon.
S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell said, "Today’s announcement declares to the global business community that South Carolina is back in the game and open for business. We want you to come to our state."
The deal was reached after lawmakers on Tuesday approved lower-interest construction bonds and incentives that include a sales tax exemption on fuel used in test flights. To qualify, Boeing will have to bring at least $750 million in investment to the state over the next seven years.
Comment by wickedpam on 10/29/2009 15:21:07
finding anything promising?
wickedpam on 10/29/2009 15:21:07
Quote by Raine:
it's going to be a looong time before anything is right again.
I missed the presser... looking for a place to live.
finding anything promising?
Comment by Raine on 10/29/2009 15:25:50
Raine on 10/29/2009 15:25:50
best thing about the BC/BS mailer? they paid for the postage!
Comment by Raine on 10/29/2009 15:28:46
yes it looks like Bobber is setting up a bunch for monday.
I haven't found anything that I would ask you to look at yet. and the one duplex seems to be gone...
BUT -- he found an agent to help us and the best part is that the owner pays the fees, unlike what we were facing when we looked at a few places up in NY. It would have been 1st and last, PLUS a month for a real estate fee.
That is crazy.
Raine on 10/29/2009 15:28:46
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
it's going to be a looong time before anything is right again.
I missed the presser... looking for a place to live.
finding anything promising?
I haven't found anything that I would ask you to look at yet. and the one duplex seems to be gone...
BUT -- he found an agent to help us and the best part is that the owner pays the fees, unlike what we were facing when we looked at a few places up in NY. It would have been 1st and last, PLUS a month for a real estate fee.
That is crazy.
Comment by wickedpam on 10/29/2009 15:38:08
I think you just channeled my mom with "that's crazy" :p
An agent is gonna know stuff in much more detail and faster then any of us will just looking on line - so that's a good thing - they are experts in relocating people here
wickedpam on 10/29/2009 15:38:08
Quote by Raine:yes it looks like Bobber is setting up a bunch for monday.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
it's going to be a looong time before anything is right again.
I missed the presser... looking for a place to live.
finding anything promising?
I haven't found anything that I would ask you to look at yet. and the one duplex seems to be gone...
BUT -- he found an agent to help us and the best part is that the owner pays the fees, unlike what we were facing when we looked at a few places up in NY. It would have been 1st and last, PLUS a month for a real estate fee.
That is crazy.
I think you just channeled my mom with "that's crazy" :p
An agent is gonna know stuff in much more detail and faster then any of us will just looking on line - so that's a good thing - they are experts in relocating people here
Comment by Raine on 10/29/2009 15:40:15
Raine on 10/29/2009 15:40:15
Comment by 
starling310 on 10/29/2009 16:18:36
I could never be President. I would have been saluting, while tears rolled down my face.
starling310 on 10/29/2009 16:18:36
Quote by Raine:
Obama made an unannounced visit to Dover last night.
I have chills.
I could never be President. I would have been saluting, while tears rolled down my face.
Comment by Raine on 10/29/2009 17:44:26
you and me both
Raine on 10/29/2009 17:44:26
Quote by starling310:Quote by Raine:
Obama made an unannounced visit to Dover last night.
I have chills.
I could never be President. I would have been saluting, while tears rolled down my face.
Comment by TriSec on 10/29/2009 18:25:29
TriSec on 10/29/2009 18:25:29
And now Mrs. TriSec has returned from the field trip.
The kids were all at Plimouth Plantation today, being properly indoctrinated about where Thanksgiving *really* comes from.
The kids were all at Plimouth Plantation today, being properly indoctrinated about where Thanksgiving *really* comes from.
Comment by 
livingonli on 10/29/2009 21:40:40
livingonli on 10/29/2009 21:40:40
Hi everyone.
Sort of busy day for me but at least the cable is finally hooked up at the new place so I get MSNBC and the premium channels but I do wish Cablevision would add BBC America, NFL Network and WGN.
This is my first time online today.
Sort of busy day for me but at least the cable is finally hooked up at the new place so I get MSNBC and the premium channels but I do wish Cablevision would add BBC America, NFL Network and WGN.
This is my first time online today.