Fully 70% of the U.S. economy is based on consumer spending, so economic and market pros watch moves in consumer sentiment closely…and so do I. In a new poll from research expert Gallup, we find consumer sentiment mixed – curiously so, considering how strong the economy seems to be at the moment.
Bryston Terminates Reps; Hires National Firm
I had barely lit up the pixels with my post on Nortek’s holiday termination of their remaining independent sales representative groups, when I began hearing from a number of other sources about high-end specialty brand Bryston terminating their rep force as well. It’s like a New Year’s assault on sales representative groups…and they aren’t happy about it…
See what we know about the Bryston sales strategy… [Read more…] about Bryston Terminates Reps; Hires National Firm
Nortek to Reps: Happy New Year, You’re Fired
BREAKING NEWS
Our phones and email lit up over the last few days as word spread that Nortek Security and Control has fired all of the remaining Core Brands reps in the U.S., according to multiple sources. The timing of the terminations over the holidays only seems to add a sense of heartlessness to the action….a real-life ‘bah humbug’ that leaves the reps feeling cold.
See more on the New Year firing of all Nortek field sales reps… [Read more…] about Nortek to Reps: Happy New Year, You’re Fired
Happy New Year 2019!
See our New Year Message below… [Read more…] about Happy New Year 2019!
Retail Struggles Continue; But Holiday Sales are Up
Mastercard’s SpendingPulse retail shopping survey reports a robust increase of 5.1% for holiday sales this year – well over the expectations of many trying to handicap the shopping season. In fact, according to MasterCard, this is the biggest holiday sales increase in the last six years. But not every category is celebrating. And overall retail trends in 2018 offered some troubling results.
Check out our retail and holiday sales report for 2018… [Read more…] about Retail Struggles Continue; But Holiday Sales are Up
Editor’s Choice for Top 2018 Stories
Last week, I noted the top posts on Strata-gee based on page views – quite simply, those articles that attracted the most eyeballs. We could have called that post – the Readers Choice Awards…as these were the stories that…collectively…so many of you read.
Now, I’d like to share with you those stories that I think are significant or important stories – or themes, really – even if they were not the most read. So this version I’m calling the Editor’s Choice for Top 2018 Stories.
See the Editor’s Choice for Top 2018 Stories… [Read more…] about Editor’s Choice for Top 2018 Stories
Lenbrook Announces Passing of Top NAD Engineer
Calling him one of NAD’s “foundational personalities,” Lenbrook announced last week the passing of Björn Erik Edvardsen. Edvardsen was not as well-known here in the United States as he was in Europe, but was considered by those close to NAD as a key engineer instrumental to the company’s long term success.
See more on this year-end passing of top NAD engineer Björn Erik Edvardsen… [Read more…] about Lenbrook Announces Passing of Top NAD Engineer
It’s Time for the Holidays
Strata-gee’s Top 10 Stories of 2018
As we wrap-up another year at Strata-gee, I have to say that 2018 turned out to be pretty remarkable. Hundreds of stories were published over a wide range of topics. One theme that seemed to catch readers’ attention was the continued strain on specialty audio companies – particularly those who had been acquired by private equity groups. We saw our share of drama and innovation – with companies making bold moves, some of which worked out…and others that didn’t.
See more on our Top Ten Strata-gee Stories of 2018… [Read more…] about Strata-gee’s Top 10 Stories of 2018
New Housing Data Continues to Point to a Downturn
As I write this on Wednesday, December 19th the stock market has closed down 351.98 points or nearly 1.5% to its lowest level of the year, according to CNBC. The broader S&P 500 Index also closed at a 2018 low. But as bad as this news is, perhaps even more concerning are two key indicators for the housing market – single-family housing starts and homebuilder sentiment – both of which showed disappointing results.
