AABP EP Awards 728x90

Retail and Business

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Increase in orders triggers expansion in service industry

The U.S. service industry expanded in July at a faster pace than a month earlier, helped by a pickup in orders, according to a report, Bloomberg said.

The Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) non-manufacturing index …

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Vohs takes temporary spot at taxpayers group

The Iowa Taxpayers Association (ITA) has named Richard Vohs interim president effective Aug. 13. He will work under an independent contract, according to a news release. Vohs takes the place of Nicole Crain, who resigned …

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Sales tax holiday

Iowa residents saved more than $877,000 in state and local sales taxes last year during the annual sales tax holiday, which this year will be Aug. 3-4.

Now in its 14th year, the event is …

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Unemployment claims increased nationally last week

The number of people filing for initial unemployment benefits increased last week. However, the less volatile four-week average continued to decline. 

Claims increased by 8,000, or 2 percent,  according to a release.

The four-week average …

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Private employers added 163,000 jobs in July

ADP Employment Services Inc. released data this morning showing companies hired people more than expected in July.


ADP performs payroll services for companies around the country and tracks employment from month to month. 

In July, …

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Consumer confidence rose in July

For the first time in five months, consumer confidence rose in July, with more consumers optimistic about the labor market and the economy in the next six months. 

The Conference Board Consumer Research Center, an independent …

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Best Buy founder will need new execs if the company goes private

Best Buy Co. Inc. founder Richard Schulze has been recruiting executives to help lead the retailer if his attempt to take the company private is successful, according to a senior Best Buy executive, Bloomberg reported.…

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Mars Café to close on Aug. 18

Drake University-area coffee shop Mars Café, 2318 University Ave., will close on Aug. 18, owner Larry James Jr. announced in a Facebook post yesterday.

Mars opened in 2006 and has been popular among Drake students …

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Retail group hopes to end tax loophole

The National Retail Federation (NRF) is continuing its efforts to end a retail sales tax loophole that is says hurts small businesses in Iowa. Advocates of eliminating the loophole say that Web-based retailers like Amazon.com…
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IEDA awards five businesses

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) board granted financial assistance to five Iowa companies on Friday, including two in the Des Moines area.

Financial assistance was awarded to the companies to create jobs and help …

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