Los Angeles Times

Ikea to Build Wind Farm to Satisfy Some of Its Energy Needs

April 14, 2014

Swedish home goods giant Ikea Group is investing in its first wind farm in the U.S., joining a parade of other companies that are venturing into the renewable energy sector. The company purchased Hoopeston Wind, an energy project under construction in Illinois.

Economists Upbeat About Growth in 2014, Not Concerned About Obamacare, Study Says

January 29, 2014

Los Angeles Times

Economists working for U.S. businesses are more optimistic about growth this year and see little effect from the start of healthcare reform or the reduction in a key Federal Reserve stimulus program, according to survey results released Monday.

Google Tries Out Its Same-Day Delivery Service in Southern California

January 28, 2014

Los Angeles Times

Google Inc. is wading into the morass of same-day delivery pilots and programs rapidly collecting in the Southland, competing with e-commerce giants such as Amazon.com Inc.

Frustrated with Washington, Some States Raise Minimum Wage on Their Own

December 11, 2013

Los Angeles Times

While President Obama and Congress keep talking about the plight and economic cost of Americans' declining incomes, a growing number of states and municipalities frustrated by federal inaction are moving to do something about it. Legislators and voters in five states "” California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island "” and in four local governments this year approved measures raising the minimum wage above the current national rate of $7.25 an hour, in one case as high as $15 an hour.

Black Friday Sales My Be Less Crucial as October Retail Figures Much Stronger Than Expected

November 25, 2013

Los Angeles Times

The Black Friday shopping rush may be slightly less of a nail-biter for retailers after government data showed better-than-expected sales in October.

Cutback in Government Food Stamp Program to Affect Food Retailers

November 6, 2013

Los Angeles Times

U.S. food retailers are poised to take a hit as the federal government reduces its $78bn-a-year food stamp program.

Government Shutdown Didn't Help Already Glum Predictions for Holiday Season Spending

October 18, 2013

Los Angeles Times

Retail sales were lagging long before the government shutdown, but the hit that the economy took from the closure didn't help things at all. Now, the National Retail Federation, the industry's top trade group, said that shoppers this year planned to reduce spending on presents and holiday preparations.

The Tale of the Supplier (Boeing) Who Sold the Shipper (the Pentagon) Old Parts But Charged for New Ones

October 16, 2013

Los Angeles Times

Four times in the last five years, the Pentagon's inspector general has found that Boeing Co. collected excessive or unjustified payments on U.S. defense contracts. In the latest of four audits since 2008, the watchdog office said the Chicago company charged the Army for new helicopter parts while installing used ones.

In September, U.S. Manufacturing Sees Fastest Growth Spurt Since Early 2011, Research Shows

October 3, 2013

Los Angeles Times

According to one report, the manufacturing sector expanded in September at its fastest pace since early 2011, an indication that economic growth is picking up in the second half of the year. The Institute for Supply Management's closely watched purchasing managers index increased to 56.2 last month, from 55.7 in August, the group said.

First BlackBerry Loses Customers, Now a Manufacturer Wants to Hang Up on It

September 30, 2013

Los Angeles Times

Consumers have moved on from BlackBerry. T-Mobile will no longer sell the company's smartphones in its stores. And now a manufacturing partner wants out.