With the past months having been hectic, I have neglected
blogging and apologize for any inconvenience for those who read our posts
regularly. Although we have been
inundated for the past 8 month in our production of retail store fixtures, we
have not lost focus of the overall market which has been gaining remarkable
strength.
While our manufacturing plant at Interior WooDesigns has
been gaining strength throughout recent months, we have seen the steepest increase
in production since 2007. Since our production
plant is dependent on the retail industry, we are glad to see what appears to
be a sign of economic recovery which has gloomed over us since the beginning of
the recession. Having seen periodic
glimpses of hope throughout the past few years, it nevertheless has remained
difficult with consumer confidence lagging behind with hesitation.
Since recent statistics have shown steady increases in
retail sales for the past 3 months, we are hopeful the trend will
continue. While retail sales are
dependent upon consumer spending, it is evident that consumer confidence is
gaining strength in some fashion.
Although there are many global events occurring throughout
the world, fuel prices have remained relatively constant, which is a key factor
in economic stability and consumer confidence.
With this being said, it appears to be having a profound impact on
consumer confidence and the strengthening of our economy.
In addition, we also have noticed a significant increase in
the real estate market as well, which is used as an economic indicator showing remarkable
strength. With the statistics showing an
uptick in the real estate market for the past 3 months, they too have seen the
greatest increase in market demand and sales since 2007 when the housing market
began falling due to the recession. Here
in Southwest Florida, which is said to be one of the
worst areas affected by the recession in the nation with an abundance of
foreclosures, it appears the market is crawling back according to realtors I’ve
spoken with.
Another market that is showing signs of recovery is the
luxury market industry as well. In a
recent article I read, it indicated luxury home sales were up drastically from
recent years, as was luxury car sales, and sales of high end jewelry, which were
hit hard by the recession.
With a wide array of industries seeing signs of strength,
and an increase in consumer capital being spent, we are optimistic that
consumer confidence is on the rise.
Knowing that consumer confidence is a key component to a stable economy,
it is comforting to see money being released into the economy via consumer
spending. Another very important factor
in determining consumer confidence is unemployment rates which have been falling,
and with an increase in job positions available, this too helps ease consumer
spending tensions. When additional
moneys are filtered through the economy and a stable, non volatile national
economic situation is operating smoothly we all are benefactors.
With all industries and consumers having struggled
throughout recent years, it is reassuring to see and hear of many industries
that are coming back from the recession.
Consumer confidence is so very powerful in controlling our economy, and
now that the recession has purged many companies, and affected millions of
lives in toxic ways, it appears we can all look forward to better days yet to
come. In the meantime, until the economy
is back strong we will continue to pray for continued economic strength and
less economic uncertainty. While we as
Americans have outsourced many jobs overseas, this is a time when many can see
the importance of providing American Jobs, and less outsourcing. In other words, don’t forget to support
American jobs, by supporting American Made Products. To find many American Made products, simply
do a web search, and you will be surprised to find many products that are
manufactured here within the United States of
America.
If we all do our part to strengthen OUR economy, consumer confidence
will continue to increase, unemployment will continue to fall, and our national
economy will continue to rejuvenate, in turn strengthening the value of the
American Dollar.
