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August, 2009
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19-25, Seattle
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23-26, Montreal
25-27, Biloxi

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Final Phase of Minimum Wage Increase Takes Effect in July

On July 24, 31 states whose minimum wage levels are below $7.25, including Florida, Pennsylvania, Nebraska and New York, will have to match the federal minimum. The increase has no bearing on 20 states (including Washington, D.C.), which already mandate an hourly wage of $7.25 or more. (source)

Minimum wage increases typically target low-wage, low-skilled workers as well as teens and young adults. The industries that rely most on minimum-wage workers include fast food restaurants, small-scale independent retail stores, day care establishments and hotels.

While the increase may be seen as a boon by employees, others question the effect of increasing expenses for employers at a time of the highest unemployment in 26 years. A mandated raise won't do job seekers any favors especially if they're looking for temporary or entry-level positions. Studies suggest that increasing the minimum wage has a slightly negative effect on the job market. A 10% increase in the minimum wage is associated with a 0.9% to 1.1% decline in retail employment and a 0.8% to 1.2% reduction in small-business employment, according to a study published in July 2008 in the Journal of Labor Research.

Seven states already have laws mandating $7.25 minimum pay, while 14 states and Washington, D.C., exceed the new minimum. Employers are required to pay whichever is the highest: Federal or state. (source)

NRF Calls Employer Health Care Mandate 'Tax on Jobs'

The National Retail Federation (NRF) has come out strongly against employer mandates in Health Care Reform legislation being considered in the House of Representatives, calling such a provision a "tax on jobs" that the nation cannot afford during the current recession. (source)

The NRF was reacting in part to a letter sent to President Obama in late June by Wal-Mart executives supporting mandated employer supplied health care as part of Health Care Reform.

"The retail industry was astonished," wrote NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin in an open letter. "Seeing [Wal-Mart] in lock-step with the unions on this issue was troubling to say the least. Although the move may provide a short-term public relations boost to Wal-Mart, it could have long-lasting, devastating consequences to retailers throughout the country."

NRF Senior Vice President for Government Relations Steve Pfister said further, "NRF cannot support an employer mandate of any type, whether pay-or-play, set penalty, or ‘free-rider’ in nature. We are a labor-heavy industry that operates on a thin profit margin. We cannot afford any new labor cost, particularly the 8 percent-of-payroll penalty or the 72.5 percent contribution floor for individual coverage or the 65 percent contribution floor for family coverage proposed in the Tri-Committee bill." (source)

In a Wall Street Journal report on the NRF opposition to employer mandates, Terry J. Lundgren, chairman and CEO of Macy's Inc. said, "I admit nobody is happy with the nation's health-care plan. But I can't imagine that a government-mandated health-care plan is going to fix it. I can only imagine that it will just add costs."

The National Retail Federation is the world's largest retail trade association, with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution including department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet, independent stores, chain restaurants, drug stores and grocery stores as well as the industry's key trading partners of retail goods and services. Mullin notes that, although the NRF represents large as well as small retailers, Wal-Mart is not a member of the organization.

Quick Industry News

Peking Handicraft Debuts New Licensed Designs by Dena Fishbein

New whimsical and holiday prints from Peking Handicraft to debut at summer markets

(San Francisco, Calif.) -- Peking Handicraft, Inc., an international manufacturer and wholesaler of high quality home decor, tabletop and giftware items, introduces new everyday and holiday textile designs by Dena Fishbein: Happi Owl and Snow Flower. From whimsical everyday patterns to elegant holiday florals, Dena's award-winning work blends form, color and design on new kitchen towels and aprons offered exclusively by Peking Handicraft.

Dena Fishbein has been gracing homes and families with delightful designs for nearly 20 years. One of the most sought-after and influential designers in America, her unique artwork combines a finely tuned sense of market trends with a creative flair. (more)

Deco Breeze® offers an Eco-Friendly and Fashionable Solution to Keeping Cool During the Hot Days of Summer

Featured Products: (left to right) Aurelias: detailed decorative floor fan; Faith: 55-inches-tall with gothic cross emblem; Kailua: rattan-designed decorative floor fan; Byzantine: modern chic decorative floor fan featuring 16" fan head; Cantalonia: the look of Italy; Ming: a vintage-look decorative floor fan.

San Diego, Ca. -- Deco Breeze®, a leading manufacturer of decorative floor and table top fans, offers an eco-friendly, cost saving and fashionable solution for keeping the indoors cool on hot days.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, two-thirds of all homes in the United States have air conditioners. Using anywhere from 500 to 3500 watts per hour, air conditioners consume a substantial amount of energy and result in high utility bills for homeowners and businesses.

"My Deco Breeze® Fan (Cantalonia Floor Fan) looks great my living room," boasted Linda Jaffe, a consumer from Orlando Florida. "Many times I use my fan just to get the air circulating. What a difference it makes!"

Deco Breeze® portable fans are rated at 45 watts per hour at maximum speed (less energy than a light bulb!) and create enough air movement in a room to make it feel up to 10 degrees cooler. With its use, comfort can be maintained at up to a 3% reduction in energy consumption for every one-degree decrease in air conditioning setting. (more)