The National Retail Federation (NRF) released it’s annual State of Retail & the Consumer forecast. Here are the highlights: The retail sector is expected to grow 4-6% in 2023, to $5.13-$5.23 Trillion. 2022 saw 7% growth over 2021. 2023’s forecast is higher than pre-pandemic growth of 3.6% E-commerce sales expected to rise 10-12% in 2023, [...]

States are increasing their spending on highways, streets, and bridge construction by 10% in fiscal year 2023. Four out of five states expect to increase this type of infrastructure spending in FY2023 over the previous year. Almost 75% of the increase is due to increased federal reimbursements to states. This includes early spending on IIJA [...]

The United States government and some allies are evolving and escalating the trade war with China. During the Trump administration, the trade war was characterized by increasing trade tariffs, most of which are still in place today, during the Biden administration. Now the trade war is escalating in new directions. FRIENDSHORING: In the past month, [...]

Sea, air, and trucking models all predict dropping freight volumes in 2023, which would lead to lower shipping costs and could make some goods more affordable. This is according to a trio of forecasts released last month. Those three forecasts found a “severe rate of contraction” in transportation prices measured in November, according to the Logistics Managers’ [...]

Both business owners and employees should be aware of the new HR trend called “quiet hiring.” Quiet hiring is when an organization acquires new skills without hiring new full-time employees. Sometimes, it means hiring short-term contractors (external quiet hiring). Other times, it means encouraging current employees to move into new or additional roles within the organization [...]

Very happy new year, and thank you for being a LightNOW reader. To create a summary of the 2023 economic outlook, I’ve reviewed several forecasts, both from inside the electrical industry and beyond. Here is my summary: Nonresidential Construction: AIA’s consensus forecast for the 2023 nonresidential construction market calls for a 6% increase. 7% increase [...]

China has canceled its harsh entry restrictions that were part of its Zero Covid policy. The new policy is called the “0+3” policy. Mainland China is expected to be fully open to entry on January 9, the start date of the new “0+3” policy. Overseas visitors to China will only need to quarantine for 3 days, and will no longer need [...]

One year ago, the Federal Infrastructure Law was passed by Congress and signed by President Biden. One expected result is significant growth in the mobile light tower market. In a recent market research report from Allied Market Research, the global mobile light tower market size was valued at $1.9 Billion in 2021, and is projected [...]

The backup of container ships off the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, CA was one the biggest sources of U.S. supply chain congestion during the COVID-19 pandemic and a contributor to inflation. Now, though, it’s over, thanks to a drastic decline in import demand nationally.