Reopening businesses in the pandemic requires more than just following the governor’s executive orders; businesses also need customers who are willing to spend time in public places. On that front, Gallup’s update on what businesses people are visiting is not encouraging. More than half of the Americans surveyed in August said they had been to […]
Economy
Small Business Owners Becoming Increasingly Pessimistic about Recovery
Data indicating that small business owners are increasingly pessimistic about the coronavirus shows the need for continued economic stimulus measures, National Retail Federation (NRF) Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said today. “The coronavirus continues as a shock to America’s small employers,” Kleinhenz said. “Small businesses are the backbone of American ingenuity and impact local economies in […]
Despite Pandemic, Most Companies Plan to Give Raises, Bonuses in 2021
Most U.S. companies are planning to give employees pay raises and annual bonuses next year despite the economic fallout from the pandemic. Raises are projected to rebound from this year’s smaller-than-projected increases, even in industries that are struggling during the pandemic. These are among the findings in a survey by Willis Towers Watson, a leading […]
Small Business Optimism Falls in July, but Near Historical Average
NFIB’s Small Business Optimism Index fell 1.8 points to 98.8 in July, near the survey’s historical average. Overall, four of the 10 Index components improved, five declined, and one was unchanged. The NFIB Uncertainty Index increased seven points to 88. Reports of expected better business conditions in the next six months declined 14 points to […]
NJ Job Gains Recover Impressively, Still Lag Nation
New Jersey’s job market has recovered impressively in the second quarter, setting new records for monthly job growth, but its re-employment rate is behind the national average even though many states are seeing a surge in coronavirus infections. That’s according to the latest Rutgers Regional Report by economist and professor James Hughes, former New Jersey […]