Tag Archives: business journalism

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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.”

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Shuttered Sweetbay Supermarkets drag down nearby small businesses

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Chetan Shah took over Anclote Pharmacy in Tarpon Springs in 2010, expecting to run a brisk, successful business.

Then, two years later, the Sweetbay Supermarket anchoring his pharmacy’s shopping plaza closed, zapping its biggest source of customers. The lack of foot traffic has prompted some of Shah’s neighboring businesses to fold. Shah says he’s barely hanging on.

“We used to do 3,000 prescriptions when Sweetbay was here. Now I’m lucky if I do 1,800,” in a month, Shah said.

Shah isn’t alone. Across the Tampa Bay area, at least 18 buildings formerly occupied by Sweetbay remain vacant, causing many of the small businesses around them to struggle or close.

Though grocers and other businesses are interested in moving into some of those spaces, the company that bought Sweetbay in 2013 — Southeastern Grocers — won’t let them because it doesn’t want increased competition for their Winn-Dixie stores. The company continues to pay rent for the empty stores, tying up the engines that power other business in the centers.

 

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Bealls is going after millennials with new Bunulu store

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Bealls Inc. wants shoppers to think of its stores as more than just a place where grandma likes to shop.

So, the Bradenton-based retailer launched a new store concept this year, called Bunulu, which will sell activewear like yoga pants and bathing suits to moms and millennials. The first Bunulu store opened near Fort Myers last week. More are coming — stores will open in Jacksonville and Palm Beach by the end of the year. Another is expected to open later at Tampa’s International Plaza.

“Bunulu is for that outdoor, youth-minded person. We sell apparel and footwear but also accessories like Costa sunglasses, Garmins, GoPros and Yeti coolers,” said Lorna Nagler, president of Bealls Department Stores.

Bealls is the latest retailer to jump into the “athletic-leisure” game — an up-and-coming apparel trend made famous by retailers like Lululemon, known for charging $100 for yoga pants. But this new line of activewear isn’t just for the gym or the yoga studio. Women are wearing yoga pants and tank tops casually to drop their kids off at school, to go to Starbucks and the grocery store.

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