According to Reis Inc., New York-based real estate research firm, occupancies at U.S. shopping centers grew during the fourth quarter.
The firm noted this past Monday that U.S. shopping centers filled up an additional 3.18 million square feet, the most since 2007.
This includes neighborhood and community shopping centers usually anchored by grocery stores, drugstores or discount retailers.
Similar increases are expected to hit the Raleigh-Durham retail market when occupancy and absorption figures are released at the end of the month in Space, the Triangle Business Journal's commercial real estate quarterly.
U.S. employers added 300,000 workers in November and December, pushing the unemployment rate down to 8.5%, the lowest since February 2009, according to the Labor Department.
Discount retailer Dollar General Corp. said Tuesday that it would add 625 stores and 6,500 new jobs nationwide in 2012.
Dollar General Corp. said that the new stores would be in the 38 states, including Maryland, that it already has stores in, as well as two new states, California and Massachusetts. There will be remodeling done at 550 more of the chain's 9,800 locations.
Dollar General says it will have created more than 21,000 new jobs since 2009, including the jobs set for this year.
The discount retailer sells a third of its merchandise for a buck or less.
It’s known for its strong selection of private-label products in addition to well-known brands of those that shoppers frequently use and replenish, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic clothing, housewares and seasonal items.
The new year could mean a fresh start when it comes to North Carolina's economy. An expert says things are looking pretty good thanks to a strong November.
The economic pinch has been harder here than in most states. Job creation in North Carolina has lagged behind the rest of nation.
There's new signs North Carolina's painfully slow economic recovery may finally be heating up. NC state Economics Professor Mike Walden made a bold prediction.
"I'm predicting we'll see 40,000 to 50,000 jobs created in North Carolina in 2012," said Walden. "Compared to the 20,000 created in 2011."
It's a forecast for an economic turnaround. Walden's latest index of economic indicators is encouraging. Jobless claims are down across the state. North Carolinians are working slightly more hours and earning slightly more money. It adds up to 1.9% jump, which marks two straight months of growth. The state's economy is still down for the year, but Walden thinks the turnaround will stick.
The state's unemployment rate stands at 10%, which is above the national average. Walden predicts it will drop below 9% this year.
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads. And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
RealUp, a national commercial real estate listing website, has announced a new partnership agreement with TradeAddresses.com, a referral property listing network. This partnership will allow thousands of RealUp.com commercial listings to automatically appear in TradeAddresses’ property catalog via the RealUp API web service.
"RealUp is very pleased to announce this new agreement with TradeAddresses.com," said Brian Randy Funk, President of RealUp. "This is an additional way RealUp will help get commercial property sold and increase exposure for real estate listings."
The RealUp commercial listing API provides an XML web service which automatically imports property listings into TradeAddresses. The RealUp API allows other websites to import and export RealUp property listings and has been customized for TradeAddresses. The RealUp API is currently used by CCIM, Century 21, Sperry Van Ness as well as the RealUp iPhone app.
"We are confident that our relationship with RealUp will prove to be synergistic for both of our companies," said Hans Hansson, president of TradeAddresses. "Our marketing of many of RealUp's listing will greatly expand the reach for those listing and provide more opportunity for RealUp members to close more transactions."
TradeAddresses is a website listing site for commercial, luxury residential, and luxury vacation properties around the world. Customers can search for properties for sale, for lease, or for vacation rentals. TradeAddresses also offers free assistance to connect customers to a licensed Commercial Real Estate Agent who specializes in their desired market.
About RealUp RealUp.com, LLC is a commercial real estate website offering property listings. A subsidiary of TerraServer.com, the leader in online aerial/satellite imagery, the company is based in Raleigh, NC and services the nationwide commercial market. RealUp is committed to providing commercial real estate professionals with property listings and marketing options at the best value with guaranteed results. www.RealUp.com
About TradeAddresses TradeAddresses was founded in 1990 by a highly experienced group of San Francisco commercial real estate veterans. TradeAddresses has traditionally focused strictly on commercial real estate listings and has offered no additional services to listing agents. In 2009, Hans Hansson, Jim Osgood, and Carl Bosse worked together to expand Trade Addresses by combining commercial and high-end residential real estate listings. www.TradeAddresses.com