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Retail and Business

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Retail federation forecasts slower sales growth

Retail sales growth in the U.S. is expected to slow down in 2019 amid cooling economic conditions, according to the National Retail Federation, Bloomberg reported. Americans will boost retail spending by 3.8 percent to 4.4 percent this …
By BPC Staff | Feb 8, 2019
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Sears deal matters little in efforts to redevelop Merle Hay Mall

A federal bankruptcy judge has approved former Sears CEO Eddie Lampert’s bid to buy what remains of the retailer, a decision that should have little effect on efforts of Merle Hay Mall owners to buy …
By KENT DARR | Feb 8, 2019
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ShopKo closing more Iowa stores

Cedar Rapids Gazette: A Wisconsin-based retailer with 36 Iowa locations, mostly in small towns, is planning to close 20 of the stores by the end of May after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. On Wednesday, Shopko …
By BPC Staff | Feb 8, 2019
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10,000 Small Businesses names 37 Iowa owners to its first class

Des Moines Area Community College, along with Iowa’s 14 other community colleges, have announced the business owners selected for the inaugural Iowa class of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses.

The 37 scholars hail from 20 Iowa counties, …
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Feb 8, 2019
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BirdDogHR partners with ClickSafety to offer OSHA course management

Urbandale-based talent management software company BirdDogHR announced that it has partnered with ClickSafety, a provider of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) courses. Through the Learning Management System (LMS), BirdDogHR customers can assign, track and manage OSHA …
By BPC Staff | Feb 5, 2019
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IBC recommends economic actions

The Iowa Business Council released its competitive dashboard today, and called for a series of actions to improve the Iowa economy.

The analysis of local and national data showed the state’s performance average in these categories: economic …
By PERRY BEEMAN | Jan 28, 2019
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Iowans would no longer take cans, bottles to grocery stores under proposed bill

Des Moines Register: Legislators will again consider whether Iowans can continue to redeem deposits on cans and bottles during their trips to the grocery store. Sen. Mark Segebart, R-Vail, introduced a bill this month that removes …
By BPC Staff | Jan 24, 2019
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Strong economy, with an asterisk

What should we expect from the economy in 2019? 

Given what happened in December into the first few weeks of this year, maybe a neck brace is in order. 

But the dramatic ups and downs …
By PERRY BEEMAN | Jan 24, 2019
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Per Mar Security acquires Wisconsin-based security company

Davenport-based Per Mar Security Services has acquired All Channel Electronics based in Madison, Wis., the Corridor Business Journal reported. Rich and Pat Gmeinder, owners of All Channel Electronics, are retiring, and All Channel Electronics’ employees will be …
By BPC Staff | Jan 21, 2019
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Shopko closing nine Iowa stores as retail chain declares bankruptcy

Des Moines Register: Shopko will shutter nine Iowa stores in the fallout of the retail chain’s financial problems. The Wisconsin-based department store company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Wednesday, reporting liabilities between $1 billion and $10 …
By BPC Staff | Jan 18, 2019