Author Archives: Justine88

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Why are we spending so much money on our pets? It’s complicated

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They have their own beaches. Their own parks. They can come with you to dinner and even to the spa. You can pay a little extra for some of them to sit with you on an airplane.

We’re not talking about your infant. We’re talking about your fur baby.

We spend more on our pets these days — a projected $60.5 billion in the United States this year — than ever before, from outfits to organic kibble to matching diamond-studded collars and bracelets. Our dogs and cats have always made us feel good about ourselves and played a role in our family — that much hasn’t changed. They’re happy, cuddly friends that doesn’t care when you vent about a bad day at work, as long as you pet them and fill their bowl with food.

But at what point did Fido move out of the doghouse in the back yard and claim an expensive Tempur-Pedic bed that matches the decor of the master bedroom?

Read more here.

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Yuengling tries to survive craft beer craze by staying in the middle

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When Richard “Dick” Yuengling bought the former Stroh’s brewery in Tampa Bay in 1999, no one was talking about blueberry wheat beers or India pale ales.

The then-fast-growing Pennsylvania brewing company, D.G. Yuengling & Son, was ready to expand its footprint and start selling its signature lager in the Southeast. Fast forward to now, and Yuengling is still growing, but feeling the pinch as consumers’ palates have changed and more buy craft beers from independent breweries.

Yuengling is the largest brewer in Tampa Bay and the second largest in the state behind the Anheuser-Busch InBev plant in Jacksonville. It produces up to 1.5 million barrels in Tampa every year, about half of all the beer the company produces in a year from all three of its breweries — the two others being in Pennsylvania. Yuengling is the oldest operating brewery in the country and one of the largest American-owned ones.

But times are changing. Big beer companies that sell the traditional line-up of yellow, fizzy domestic drafts at sports games, in bars and in cans at gas stations pretty much worldwide, have seen sales slide as craft breweries grow larger in number and stronger in overall market share.

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Florida’s construction worker shortage is stalling development

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Florida is on the verge of another building boom, but there’s just one problem: No one wants to do the work.

Construction workers are scarce for a number of reasons. Many were burned by job losses during the recession and aren’t returning to the industry. Others are turned off by low pay or don’t want to work outside in the Florida heat.

Older workers are retiring and younger people aren’t eager to take their spots. Millennials don’t see construction work as a career path, and shop class is no longer featured in high schools as it used to be.

All this is threatening to derail a surge of new development in Florida as contractors struggle to find qualified workers. It could lead to higher prices and longer buildout times — not only for homes, but for major developments like new retail plazas and condominium high-rises. Even high-profile projects like Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik’s plans to reshape downtown Tampa, and the $953 million in ongoing renovations at Tampa International Airport could be stymied.

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Will slumping Canadian economy keep snowbirds away from Florida this winter?

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The Florida tourism industry has an affectionate relationship with Canadian snowbirds. The retirees from Canada who flock here for the winter months have helped build a year-round, bustling tourism season.

But some economists worry that the usual influx of Canadians — who own property here, spend weeks in seaside vacation rentals and camp out in RVs across the state — may rethink their travel plans this year as their economy slumps and the U.S. dollar remains strong.

“What very well could dampen Canadian visitation this winter is how their economy contracted during the first six months of this year,” said Sean Snaith, director of the Institute for Economic Competitiveness at the University of Central Florida. “The good thing is it’s still cold and snowy up there, which could still drive people here. But they face some significant headwinds for their economy.”

Canada is having a rough year. The country’s unemployment rate was 7 percent in August, continuing a spiral that’s steadily grown for more than six months. Canada is facing an impending housing bubble. The loonie, or the Canadian dollar, is currently worth about 76 cents when compared with the U.S. dollar, which is about the highest rate of depreciation for Canadians since 2009.

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Grocery wars: How many supermarket chains can Florida handle?

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The grocery store market in Florida seems as crowded as the line for a Publix sub at lunch time.

The giants like Publix and Walmart are still battling it out for the every day shopper, while the organic enthusiasts have Fresh Market and Whole Foods. Cult favorite Trader Joe’s made a big splash when it first entered Florida in 2012 and has been expanding ever since.

Then there’s the speciality players like wholesale clubs (Sam’s, Costco and BJ’s,) and bare bones discounters (Aldi, Save-a-lot). Even Winn Dixie is still with us.

Nevertheless, new upstarts think there’s room for them, and their arrival will give shoppers even more variety. So don’t be surprised to see Sprouts Farmers Market, Lucky’s Market and Earth Fare coming to Tampa Bay soon.

“There are so many brands trying to compete,” said Chuck Taylor senior vice president at Madison Marquette and the Florida director of the International Council of Shopping Centers. “It’s definitely a war, and it’s just starting.”

Read more here.