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Content about New Year's Day

February 7, 2012
The Numbers: Unemployment, Mortgage Applications, U.S. Competitiveness

CHICAGO — DECEMBER FOUND THE U.S. UNEMPLOYMENT rate dropping to a nearly three-year low of 8.5%, with non-farm payrolls increasing by 200,000 in the month alone, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Economists had expected a 150,000 increase, and the number was the largest hike in three months. The forecasted unemployment rate was 8.7%.

January 16, 2012
New Year Brings Holiday Stains

CONCORD, N.C. — A new year brings new opportunities for those prepared to take advantage. You’re no doubt heard the saying, “Foolishness is continuing to do what you have always done and expecting different results.” Make the adjustments in your business model now to capture and keep the customers that will be on the move in the coming year.

The best time to plant an apple tree is 20 years ago, to have apples today. The second best time to plant an apple tree is today, to have apples in the future. If you never get around to planting the apple tree, you will never have apples.

Drycleaning volume may not return to the levels of 10 years ago in the foreseeable future; cleaners are being forced to make do with the lower garment count. The industry is saturated with processing plants that are based on speed and/or price. The niche in the marketplace is reliable stain removal by a knowledgeable operator.

Stain removal is quickly becoming a valuable commodity. Not only does it contribute to the bottom line, it leads to increased customer loyalty.

January 9, 2012
The Numbers: Unemployment, Mortgage Applications, Pending Home Sales

CHICAGO — Helping to ring in a better new year are the Federal Reserve Board, the nation’s unemployment numbers and job growth, mortgage applications, and pending home sales.

ALL BUT ONE OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE DISTRICTS reported an increase in economic activity in a report filed Nov. 30. The districts saw a slow to moderate upward trend in consumer spending, with the strongest upticks occurring in vehicle sales and tourism dollars. Manufacturing activity and overall bank lending also increased slightly.

THE NOVEMBER JOBLESS RATE was down to 8.6%, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, with an estimated 120,000 jobs added—that’s the fifth month in a row to post 100,000 or more new jobs, a first since April 2006. However, a downswing in wages slightly offset that good news.

The department reports a decrease in the weekly seasonally adjusted unemployment claims in the week ending Dec. 3, as the number went to 381,000 from the previous week’s revised number of 404,000.

July 7, 2011
Follow-Up Important In Every Phase

CHICAGO — Going to a trade show is a bit like making professional New Year’s resolutions. You see a new innovation or service, maybe learn about a different marketing strategy or business solution. And you promise that once home, you’re going to integrate what you learned or purchase that product you saw to help take your company to the next level.

But all too often, instead of following through on post-trade show plans, life gets in the way.

January 11, 2011
Drycleaners Optimistic About New Year’s Resolutions

CHICAGO — Asked about their goals for the New Year, more than one-third (38.1%) of drycleaners responding to this month’s Wire survey say they’ve made resolutions affecting their business and personal lives. The equivalent number (38.1%) hadn’t made any New Year’s resolutions, and almost one-quarter (23.8%) answered “Not yet.”

December 24, 2010
Get Ahead in The New Year

CHICAGO — The New Year is a perfect time to modify practices that no longer contribute to the bottom line. And today, getting stains out is no longer something you can leave to the “old pro” up the street. You can’t afford to return or turn away a single garment due to a lack of knowledge or a lack of the proper chemical tools.

Once the holidays are over, there will be plenty of chances to set yourself apart from the competition through quality stain removal. And common holiday stains will help you exceed customer expectations.

January 12, 2010
One-Third of Drycleaners Make New Year’s Resolutions

CHICAGO — Asked about their goals for the New Year, only one-third (33.3%) of drycleaners responding to this month’s Wire survey say they’ve made resolutions affecting their business and personal lives. Some 42.5% of respondents hadn’t made any New Year’s resolutions, and about one-quarter (24.1%) hadn’t made any New Year’s resolutions by the time they took the survey, answering “Not yet.”

December 15, 2009
Sales Volume to Stabilize in 2010, Operators Say

CHICAGO — Asked to offer their rough forecasts for sales in the new year in the most recent survey appearing in the Wire, American Drycleaner’s e-mail newsletter, most drycleaners don’t foresee any radical shifts ahead compared to the results they experienced in 2009.

December 2, 2009
Reviewing for the Year Ahead

I was standing with my back to the hors d’oeuvre table at my 40th high school reunion. I was catching up with a guy I hadn’t seen since 1969 when I overheard a comment: “Oops, you’re going to have to take that to Martin.” I turned and saw a lady with cocktail sauce down the front of her silk blouse.