Alabama Business Confidence Index released
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – May 26
The latest Alabama Business Confidence Index shows confidence among Birmingham business leaders is at its highest point since early last year. The study, conducted by the Center for Business and Economic Research at The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce, measures the expectations of Alabama business executives as they prepare for the upcoming quarter. The study also indicated increased positive expectations for both the state and national economies, though the outlook for the national economy is lower than that of the state.
Birmingham Business Journal – May 27
Showrooming Remains Unpopular With the Majority of Customers
Finanzen – May 26
While large retailers had feared their most loyal customers would decamp to online stores in search of better offers, many shoppers have refrained from engaging in showrooming … “Contrary to popular conceptions, showrooming is very popular among consumers today, particularly Millennials where smartphones are such an ingrained part of the social fabric,” said Dan Bachrach, a management professor at the University of Alabama. “Although this is not necessarily obvious to the casual observer, literally billions of dollars are lost every year to showrooming, and this is putting brick and mortar retailers out of business every day.”
Hope Hull man competes on ‘American Ninja Warrior’ contest
Montgomery Advertiser – May 26
On a piece of his grandfather’s land tucked in this rural community, Casey Suchocki is living his dream. The American Ninja Warrior contestant – and who will be featured on the show’s upcoming eighth season in June – has built with his grandfather an obstacle course that mimics the show’s course, and which includes a cliff hanger, an unstable bridge, a flying bar and floating doors … The 2010 Robert E. Lee High School graduate who is double majoring in civil engineering and construction engineering at the University of Alabama has one goal: to become the next American Ninja Warrior. He recently competed in the Atlanta qualifiers, but is unable to disclose how he performed until the show airs on June 8 on NBC.
Calhoun County cities, towns see population decline in 2015
OE Now – May 19
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Anniston was the fastest-shrinking city in the county between 2010 and 2015. Still, few areas of the county saw population growth in the last five years. Some economic experts say steadily shrinking communities can stifle business development. The figures show Anniston, Oxford, Jacksonville, Hobson City, Piedmont and Ohatchee were all smaller in 2015 than five years earlier. Only the city of Weaver was bigger in 2015 than it was five years ago … Ahmad Ijaz, economist for the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama, said the loss of jobs is the main reason people have left the county in recent years.
Lowrey named Fulbright Scholar
The Gafney Ledger (S.C.) – May 26
Perrin Thomas Lowrey, son of Dr. Wilson H. and Mary Loyd Lovelace Lowrey of Northport, AL, has been named a 2016-2017 Fulbright Scholar. Lowrey graduated summa cum laude Spring term from the University of Alabama with majors in German and Psychology. He is the grandson of Hazel and John Hubbard and the late Loyd H. Lovelace of Gaffney.