Category Archives: Economy
Food costs increase in December
After dips in October and November, the average Rock River Valley grocery bill was on the rise again in December.
The average costs of 14 common grocery items at three Rockford grocery stores was $39.41. That was 42 cents higher than November’s average and a whopping $2.91 above December 2010.
The biggest price increases from November were cheese singles and pizza. The food items that grew the most from December 2010 were pizza and milk.
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Posted in Economy
Small turnout for regional GSA administrator
Only about 35 local business men and women came to the Radisson in Rockford this morning to learn how to become a service provider to federal buildings and offices.
The turnout for the round-table discussion and seminar was disappointing considering the U.S. Government is the largest “buyer” in the country and pays much more quickly and reliably than state governments, especially Illinois. Plus, the lead speaker was Ann Kalayil, the regional administrator of the General Services Administration.
The ones that did come went away encouraged that becoming a GSA provider is worth the effort.
“It’s not as difficult as we …
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Posted in Economy, Small business
Chrysler releases small look at Dart interior
A major, major drawback of the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot line launched by Chrysler in 2006 was the mostly plastic interiors.
Chrysler wants to show it learned from that mistake with the new Dodge Dart, which will be unveiled Jan. 9 at the Detroit auto show and then go into production in Belvidere.
Chrysler released some glimpses of the interior along with a press release touting its interior “craftsmanship.”
Among the things Chrysler hopes will excite buyers:
* “Driver-centric” layout with all controls within easy reach of the driver and “best-in-class” hip and shoulder room.
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Posted in Automotive, Chrysler
Tagged Dodge Dart
Local retailers enjoyed strong third quarter
The amount of sales tax revenue generated by retailers in Boone, Ogle and Winnebago counties was up 8.9 percent in September compared with September 2010.
September marked the fourth straight month and the eighth time in nine months that the amount of sales tax revenue returned to municipalities increased from 2010.
September also was the sixth time this year that sales grew at a greater rate than inflation, which was 3.87 percent in September. That means retailers are seeing rising profits as well.
In the third quarter (July, August and September), retail sales tax hit $11.54 million. That was 7.2 …
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Posted in Econ Scorecard, Economy, Taxes
Expenses cut into rising Star 60 revenues
Revenue growth in the third quarter for companies on the Register Star’s Star 60 stock index was its strongest since before the recession, according to an analysis of earnings reports.
But rising expenses cut into the profits of the companies on the manufacturing-heavy index. With three companies left to report — National Technical Systems Inc., General Mills Inc. and Walgreens — the median percentage revenue increase for business done in the third quarter is 10.5 percent, up from 8.8 percent in the second quarter.
The median profit margin though slipped from 7.1 percent down to 6 percent.
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